Friends of the Lake Erie Center (FOLEC) Newsletter Spring/Summer 2017

Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Rd., Oregon, OH 43616 http://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/lec 1

April20

June12–16

July7

July13 & 20

University of ToledoCollege of

Natural Sciences & Mathematics

LEC Upcoming Events

July26

Join us for our open house from 5–7 p.m. Enjoy live demonstrations, facility tours

and scienti�c poster show.

LEC Open House

LEC’s Summer Science Camp for Kids week long day camps-9 a.m.–noon (full) and 1–4 p.m.(full)

Public Beach Cleanup at Maumee Bay State Park’s Lake Erie Beach starting

at 4 p.m. For more information contac t Rachel.Lohner@utoledo.edu or call 419.530.8364

LEC’s Summer Science Camp for Kids one- day mini camps: July 13 for entering 4th & 5th graders. and July 20 for entering 6th

& 7th graders both from 9–3 p.m.

2017 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Poster show from 2–4 p.m. REU students will showcase their research

�ndings. Free and open to the public.

REU

ResearchExperience

forUndergraduates

LEC Graduate Student Examines Coastal Fish Habitat in Lake ErieMarty Simonson, a M.S. student in Dr. Christine Mayer’s lab,

is conducting research on how �sh use the nearshore zone along Ohio’s 312 miles of Lake Erie coastline. Instrumental to Simonson’s research was the 2011 development of a nearshore �sh monitoring protocol for the western basin of Lake Erie

by LEC alum, Jason Ross and the ODNR Sandusky Fisheries Unit . Simonson’s research, which uses this protocol, now includes the central basin and has also gained additional collaborators: ODNR O�ce of Coastal Mgmt., Ohio EPA, Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve and ODNR Fairport Harbor Fisheries Unit.

The nearshore zone extends from land out to a depth of about ten feet, and provides critical spawning and nursery habitat for about 80% of �sh species in the Great Lakes. Shoreline development and urbanization after the mid-1800s led property owners to try and prevent coastal erosion by installing armor structures to the point that 83% of the U.S. Lake Erie shoreline is now arti�cial. Simonson’s research is working to understand the relationships between shoreline habitat characteristics (types of armor or vegetation) and the biological performance of the nearshore �sh community.

2016 preliminary data results collected at 51 sites indicated that more sport�sh are found at structured and vegetated shorelines while unarmored sandy beaches provided safety for small minnows and prey �sh. Rare and sensitive species were found more often at vegetated shorelines than bare rock or vertical seawalls. During the 2017 �eld season Simonson plans to sample the 51 sites again. These results will be used to help identify “Priority Management Areas” for �sh habitat and guide implementations of Living Shorelines, an environmental engineering initiative to design coastal structures that increase biodiversity, last longer, and cost less.

Message from the LEC Interim DirectorA search is underway for a new director of the Lake Erie Center, with Dr. Jon Bossenbroek leading the search. The new director will build initiatives that complement and strengthen research programs and expand the university’s position as a leader in water research with a focus on Lake Erie and the Great

Lakes, and develop external partnerships with other universities, agencies, and other organizations to address the challenges of the Great Lakes. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2017.

Fine art returns to the LEC. UT Fine Arts graduate Steven Hoody has a six pieces of art-work on display. The abstract images are reminiscent of bioluminescent fibrous strands of algae, or perhaps distant galaxies. The material photographed, however, was all made in a petri dish with simple ingredients found at home. Come by the LEC and see them for yourself!

Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Rd., Oregon, OH 43616 http://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/lec 2

Lake Erie Center2017

University of Toledo

Natural Sciences & MathematicsCollege of

*Scholarships & sibling discounts available*Class size is limited

For more information or to register please visit: www.utoledo.edu/nsm/lec/sciencecamp.html or contact Rachel Lohner at 419-530-8364 or rachel.lohner@utoledo.eduLake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Rd., Oregon, OH www.utoledo.edu/nsm/lec

July 20, 9-3p.m., $40 (entering 5th & 6th graders)

July 13, 9-3p.m., $40 (entering 4th & 5th graders)

LEC Student Highlights

Casey Yanos (advisor: Dr. Christine Mayer), graduated with an M.S. in Biology in December 2016. Casey is pursuing a Ph.D. at University of Groningen in Groningen, Netherlands in Evolutionary Life Sciences.

WelcomeEva Kramer is a new M.S. student in Dr. Thomas Bridgeman’s Limnology Lab. Eva’s current project is “Vertical movement of HABs in Lake Erie.”

Congratulations to our recent graduates!Mark DuFour (advisor: Dr. Christine Mayer), graduated with a Ph.D. in Biology in December 2016. Mark is currently working as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at Michigan State University.

Zachary Amidon is a new M.S. student in Dr. Christine Mayer’s Aquatic Ecology Lab. Zachary’s current project is “Examination of factors in�uencing lake white�sh recruitment in the Detroit River & western Lake Erie.”

Joseph Turner (advisor: Dr. Thomas Bridgeman), graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences in December 2016. Joe accepted a position with Cargill Inc. in Iowa.

The University of Toledo Student Subunit of the American Fisheries Society is presenting “Lake Erie: Unplugged” on June 10–11 at the

Lake Erie Center. Check-in will begin at noon on June 10 and the activities will start at 2 p.m. This event allows for Great Lakes regional research to be showcased in creative, non-traditional ways without the use of modern conveniences.

There will be two categories: performances and exhibition. The performances are scheduled to run approximately 5–10 minutes and can include dance, puppet shows, stand-up comedy, storytelling or just about anything as long as it’s live. The exhibition portion will include submissions that communicate research through paintings, comic strips/books, photography, sculpture, dioramas, collages, or other visual displays that will be on display during the reception and after the performances

At 6:00 there will be a �sh fry; camping at Maumee Bay State Park and a camp�re breakfast the following day. This event is free and open to all ages. Registration is required, deadline for registration is May 31, 2017. There will also be ra�es and T-shirt sale by RSSAFS. For more information or to RSVP: Email rocketssubunit@gmail.com, or visit https://goo.gl/forms/X1Tz8Mft3Ac6IMEC2.

Lake Erie Unplugged

Benjamin Kuhaneck (advisor: Dr. Christine Mayer) graduated with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry in December 2016. Ben accepted a position with the Alaskan Observer, Inc. in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Two one-day mini camp options remain for

Summer 2017

Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Rd., Oregon, OH 43616 http://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/lec 3

2016 Lake Erie Center Photo Contest Winners

(L–R) 1st row: 1st place Adult Ginny Sussman, 1st place Teen Quentin Francis-Emonds, 1st place Youth Simon Amonette, 2nd place Adult Megan Rospert, 2nd row: 2nd place Teen Elizabeth Zak, 2nd place Youth Nico Francis-Emonds, 3rd place Adult Rick Francis, 3rd place Teen Megan Mawhorter, 3rd row: 3rd place Youth Jackson Halbur, HM Adult Allison Boggs, HM Teen Jared DiMario, HM Youth Elizabeth Koury, 4th row: People Choice Award Ti�any McCray

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDPublic Beach Cleanup

Volunteers invited to Maumee Bay State Park to help keep Great Lakes’ beaches “Barefoot” friendly

When: Friday, July 7, 2017Starting at 4 p.m.

Where: Maumee Bay State Park Lake Erie Beach1750 State Park RoadOregon, OH 43616For questions about this event, contact Rachel Lohner at rachel.lohner@utoledo.edu or 419-530-8364

The Lake Erie Center is the team lead for this event. This event is one of fourteen special Alliance for the Great Lakes Adopt-a-Beach™ events throughout the region sponsored by Barefoot Wine and Bubbly.

Photo by Regina Kamelesky

Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bayshore Rd., Oregon, OH 43616 http://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/lec 4

Your tax-deductible contribution will help support our research, edu-cation, and outreach, as we work to protect our region’s most valuable natural resource - Lake Erie! We are

a vibrant and active facility, located on the shores of Lake Erie in Oregon, Ohio, where students, scientists, agency partners, political leaders, and members of the public come together on Great Lakes environmental issues. We are a leader in research on such important topics as toxic algal blooms, water quality, habitat conservation, and �sheries. With your support we look to expand and continue our e�orts in the coming year.https://give2ut.utoledo.edu/folec.asp

F R I E N D S O F T H E L A K E E R I E C E N T E R

folec

The Lake Erie Center’s 2017 Photo ContestTheme: “The Nature of Our Region, from Oak Openings to Maumee Bay”

Amateur photo buffs of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate. Color or black and white photographs will be accepted. Entries are limited to three (3) per person. Prizes will be awarded in multiple age categories, including a $25 prize for 1st place winners!

Deadline for submissions is Friday, November 17, 2017For more information and contest rules, visit- https://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/lec/events/photo_rulesor contact, 419.530.8360, lakeeriecenter@utoledo.edu

Benjamin Kuhaneck a Lake Erie Center graduate (December 2016) with a B.S. in Biology recently accepted a position with Alaskan Observer, Inc. in Coos Bay, Oregon as a �sheries observer. As a �sheries observer, it’s his job to spend 1–5 days on commercial �shing vessels on the Paci�c Ocean recording catch data. Along with �shing data, observers record

endangered species and marine mammal data that is reported to the Nation Marine Fisheries Service to ensure that the �shery is sustainable and �sh populations stay healthy.

Prior to graduating Kuhaneck worked for three years in Dr. Christine Mayer’s Aquatic Ecology Lab at the Lake Erie Center. While working in Dr. Mayer’s Lab, Kuhaneck indicated that he gained a tremendous amount of experience including independent research, aquatic sampling methods, boating, and a great deal more. Kuhaneck also stated it was the experience and knowledge he gained while working in Dr. Mayer’s Lab that was instrumental to obtaining a great position after graduation.

Please support our work by becoming a Friend of the Lake Erie Center!

Recent LEC Graduate Takes Position with Alaskan Observer, Inc.

2017

LEC’s Dr. Thomas Bridgeman Recognized for Highly Cited Scienti�c Article

Dr. Thomas Bridgeman was recognized for his scienti�c research paper “A novel method for tracking western Lake Erie Microcystis blooms, 2002–2011” as being one of the top 5 most cited papers published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research from 2014 through June of 2016. The article integrates a long time series of harmful algal bloom

(HABs) data from 2002–2011 as well as the development of a new method to measure harmful algae in the lake. Many researchers are now using and citing this method in their own studies. Bridgeman’s work also contributed to the development of predictive modeling that directly links the size of HABs in the lake to the amount of phosphorus discharged from the Maumee River in spring and summer.

The International Joint Commission visits LECThe LEC hosted a public meeting for the International Joint Commission (IJC) March 23. The IJC is a US and Canadian organization coordinating and managing water movement across the shared border, and they were at the

LEC to solicit public opinion on the region’s environmental challenges as it �nalizes a review of progress made on it’s Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. About 170 people crowded into our lecture room and over�owed into the hallway to listen to IJC commissioners, Chris Winslow–Director of Ohio Sea Grant program, Karl Gebhardt–deputy director for water resources, Ohio EPA, and Gail Hesse–Director of the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Water Program. Je� Reutter, a special advisor for the Ohio Sea Grant Program, moderated the event.