Join ISEA's Volunteer Instructors to Protect the Great Lakes Through Education

Become an ISEA volunteer instructor and help us provide students with a unique Schoolship experience. The 2011 Volunteer Instructor Training Course takes place on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at the NMC Water Studies Institute in Traverse City. Come to the introductory session on January 5th to learn more about volunteering with ISEA. We hope to see you there!

Volunteer Training Program :: Inland Seas Education Association
http://www.schoolship.org/

VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SCHEDULE

ISEA/Shedd Aquarium Students upon arrival in Chicago, August 2010

News From the Boat Shop

ISEA's 9th Canoe has been planked will be ready to turn over soon (after a lot more sanding!). The last step to planking is the "football" that goes on the very bottom. These photos show this procedure. 

Asian Carp Video From ABC News

Here is a good primer on the Asian carp invasion from ABC News.  Thanks to Craig Holmes for passing this along. 

And lots more info from Circle of Blue!  -Tom K.

Thad Koza, Tall Ship Photographer, Crosses the Bar

Inland Seas photograph by Thad Koza

Thad Koza, internationally known photographer of tall ships, passed away recently from cancer. Thad was a good friend of Inland Seas, and has given several presentations in the area, both for ISEA and for Maritime Heritage Alliance.  Additional information is available on the ASTA web site.   Fair winds, Thad, and we'll see you in Fiddlers' Green.  - Capt. Tom

Michigan's Asian Carp Action Plan Available for Review

Update: Dec. 2, 2010.  U. S. District Judge turns down states' request to shut locks.  Read more by clicking here.

The State of Michigan DNRE has published its Asian Carp Plan at www.michigan.gov/asiancarp.  I also recommend, as good background material, the paper done by Brammeier, Polls & Mackey in 2008:  Prelinary Feasibility of Ecological Separation of the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes to Prevent Transfer of Aquatic Invasive Species. 

For a possible solution on how to get barges from one watershed to another, have a look at http://www.hmrsupplies.com/photo-gallery.php?aid=1

-Tom K.

Waste Water Education 501(c)3 Presents Web-Seminar on Pharmaceuticals in Water

On Wednesday December 1, 10 am EST -


Prescription For The Future?  

The presenter is Herbert T. Buxton - U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program Coordinator.

The second seminar in this series, examining the potential and realized impact of pharmaceutical products in the environment, will be presented via live internet video feed at 10 am EST on December 1.

There is no charge for attending this internet seminar but space is limited. To register contact info@wastewatereducation.org - or call 231 233 1806.

It will run until approximately 11.30am. The meeting will stay open for discussion afterwards.

The presentation is free to the public - you may attend via your own computer at home or office or can attend in person at the Benzie County Health Department - http://www.bldhd.org where the event is being sponsored by the Benzie County League of Women Voters. This option is offered for people who want to discuss the issue afterwards or don't have a high speed internet service.

Content will be a review of recently completed and current research in progress, on the presence of, environmental and public health impact of, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in wastewater, drinking, surface and ground water.

There is growing concern about the long term effects of PPCPs on human health and the natural environment - through a series of science based seminars WasteWater Education 501(c)3, seeks to provide some clarity to the risks involved.

What's in Our Wastewaters and Where Does it Go?

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has implemented a national reconnaissance to provide baseline information on the environmental occurrence of "emerging contaminants" such as human and veterinary pharmaceuticals (e.g., fluoxetine and lincomycin), industrial and household wastewater products (e.g., p-nonyphenol and triclosan), and reproductive and steroidal hormones (e.g., equilenin and progesterone) in water resources. 142 streams, 55 wells, and 7 effluent samples were collected across 36 states as part of this national reconnaissance effort. A majority of the sites sampled were those suspected to be susceptible to emerging contaminants from animal or human wastewaters. This national reconnaissance of emerging contaminants is the first of its kind in the United States. (Source: http://toxics.usgs.gov/highlights/whatsin.html )

Whether your drinking water comes from a private well and aquifer or via a municipal system; whether you have a private onsite wastewater system or connect to a municipal sewer; if you live by an ocean, a lake or a stream - traces of pharmaceutical products have been detected. When prescriptions and over-the-counter drug purchases now run in the billions annually it's not surprising. The general misconception is that the body consumes the total dose - which is far from true. In addition, some municipal wastewater treatment process can increase the toxicity of flushed medications and cannot effectively remove them prior to discharge to a local lake or river.

Although the amounts are measured in parts-per-billion or million, what is the long term accumulative effect on people and the environment? USGS lead research attempts to provide some answers.

To register contact info@wastewatereducation.org - or call 231 233 1806.

The first seminar in this series, Al Alwan, Ph.D.Water Quality Branch, Water Division, Environmental Protection Agency Region 5: Alternative Approaches to Address Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCP) Environmental Fate . - may be viewed at this link. -http://www.wastewatereducation.org/eventsarchive.html

Recent Activities at the Inland Seas Education Center

A Full House for the Asian Carp Seminar by Mark Breederland on Nov. 9

Suttons Bay High School Students, under the direction of Mr. T, planning their video shoot for TV Teleganza

UpNorth TV Teleganza is tomorrow, Nov. 20 at the State Theatre.  It's a big deal, and a good deal!