This course focuses on the identification of aquatic macroinvertebrates commonly found in Northern Michigan lakes and streams, but also delves into macroinvertebrate biology and general stream ecology.  

A mixture of lecture, laboratory, and outdoor field sessions will focus on three aquatic insect orders per day, followed by a day devoted to non-insect taxa.  The class will visit a variety of lakes, streams, and wetlands on a daily basis to collect aquatic macroinvertebrates, practice identification skills, improve understanding of macroinvertebrate ecology, and, optionally, create individual reference collections.  

Waders, sunscreen, and insect repellant are recommended for outdoor sessions, as well as containers and preservative (e.g., ethanol or isopropyl) for those interested in developing reference collections.  A complete reference collection with specimens from all commonly collected aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa (usually identified to the family level) will be available in the laboratory throughout the course.

Kevin Cronk is the Monitoring and Research Coordinator at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.

This class, which takes place when early summer singing and nesting are underway, features lots of time in the field. The focus is on learning to identify birds by sight, sound and habitat.

The class begins early in the mornings and early-risers are regularly rewarded with the traditional bird class breakfast and coffee. During this course there is an overnight field trip to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  

Mary Whitmore has a rich background in ornithology and is very familiar with the birds of northern Michigan.  Bob Hess is especially interested in the connection between birds and habitats and is the former director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife Program.

Wetlands are habitats of great biological productivity, diversity, and conservation importance. 

Wetlands perform important functions for regional hydrology, biogeochemical processes, and climate regulation.  Human cultural needs ranging from food production to recreation also characterize wetland values.  Northern Michigan has an exceptionally diverse array of wetland habitats, all of which have unique stories to tell.  

We will visit wetlands including Great Lakes shoreline marshes, inland marshes, cedar swamps, and peatlands. We will discuss the post-glacial history of the landscape that provided the context for today’s wetland environments.  A central focus of our class will be reviewing the ecological processes responsible for the abundance and distribution of the species we observe.  

Each day will be spent in the field.  Rubber boots will be needed for individuals who want to avoid wet feet.  Walking in wetlands can be difficult at times and will require traversing irregular and often unsteady ground.

Eric is an Assistant Professor at the State University of New York at Oswego and a faculty member at the University of Michigan Biological Station.  Eric’s interests include the ecology of wetland and aquatic plants.  Eric has worked in peatlands of New England and northern Michigan, marshes of upstate New York, salt marshes of Puget Sound, and wetlands of Yellowstone National Park.