2026 Annual MiCorps Conference

November 5-6, 2026

Delta Hotels Muskegon Convention Center

The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) hosts an annual volunteer lake and stream monitoring conference each fall. The conference provides an excellent opportunity to stay up to date on monitoring methods and to meet and interact with other volunteers and aquatic professionals. Join us to engage with colleagues from across Michigan to learn, network, and celebrate our collective achievements!

Registration

Registration is open through October 23. The cost to attend is $95. This includes the pre-conference activities and reception on Thursday, and all activities, lunch, and breaks on Friday. The full agenda is available below.

Agenda

Thursday, November 5: Optional pre-conference activities.

1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Advanced Macroinvertebrate Identification: Beyond the Order Level with Mayflies and Stoneflies

• Dr. Paul Steen, MiCorps Stream Program Manager, Huron River Watershed Council; and Tamara Lipsey, EGLE MiCorps Lead, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Aboard the Laurentian: Tour of NOAA’s Largest Great Lakes Research Vessel

• Dennis Donahue, Marine Superintendent, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Welcome Reception

Friday, November 6: Full-day conference including guest speakers, breakout sessions, panels, networking, and workshops. Lunch and breaks included with registration.

9:00 a.m. Welcome and MiCorps Updates

• Dr. Jo Latimore, MiCorps Director, Michigan State University; and Tamara Lipsey

9:20 a.m. Keynote: Lessons on the Value of Monitoring and Community Engagement from the Muskegon Lake Watershed

• Kathy Evans, Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership

10:00 a.m. MiCorps Volunteer and Grantee Celebration

• Dr. Paul Steen and Erick Elgin, MiCorps Lake Program Manager, Michigan State University Extension

10:30 a.m. Breakout Sessions (Three sessions will be held concurrently. Choose one session.)

• Option A: MiCorps 101

  • Dr. Jo Latimore

• Option B: Groundwater/Surface Water Connections

  • Dr. Anthony Kendall, Michigan State University

• Option C: Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

  • Kelsey Bockelman, Michigan State University Extension

Noon Lunch

1:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Three sessions will be held concurrently. Choose one session.)

• Option A: ...Because No One Can Do It Alone! Finding Help for Lake and Stream Projects

  • Melissa DeSimone, Michigan Lakes and Streams Association; and Jason Frenzel, Huron River Watershed Council

• Option B: Michigan Invasive Crayfish: Management and Monitoring

  • Kathleen Quebedeaux, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

• Option C: How Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program Volunteers and Organizations Use Their Data: A Peer-to-Peer Discussion

  • Facilitated by Jo Latimore

2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Three sessions will be held concurrently. Choose one session.)

• Option A: Beyond Traditional Monitoring: Pathogens, Public Health, and Emerging Technologies

  • Dr. Erin Dreelin and Dr. Nishita D'Souza, Michigan State University

• Option B: Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program Leaders Information Exchange and Facilitated Networking

  • Facilitated by Dr. Paul Steen and Tamara Lipsey

• Option C: Score the Shore: Turning Lake Assessment Results into Action

  • Kate Laramie, MiCorps Lake Program Associate, Huron River Watershed Council; and Erick Elgin

4:00 p.m. Conference Adjourns