Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 10/10/2026Carolyn Foley, long-time IISG and Purdue FNR research coordinator and a deeply valued member of the Great Lakes research community, passed away on April 22, 2026. 💙 An undergraduate research award has been established in her memory. Her full story is here: iiseagrant.org/fnr-remember... 0123
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 02/09/2026IISG’s Katie O’Reilly was on WTTW Chicago Tonight last week on the invasive carp threat to the Great Lakes. Juvenile silver carp were found 80 miles from Lake Michigan. Katie explains what that means for the Brandon Road barrier. Full interview: news.wttw.com/2026/08/19/e...news.wttw.comEncroaching Carp, Barrier Delays Threaten Great Lakes EcosystemFor decades, four species of invasive carp have been working their way toward the Great Lakes. On their way, they’ve left a trail of decimated native fish populations and injured boaters. 051
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Registration is now open for the 2026 State of Lake Michigan Meeting! Join researchers, managers, educators, and partners November 4 to 6 in Michigan City, Indiana to share research and explore the latest Lake Michigan science. Register: iiseagrant.org/solmiiseagrant.orgState of Lake Michigan Meeting - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantThe State of Lake Michigan Meeting, supported in part by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, University of Illinois Extension, and Purdue University, will be held November 4–6, 2026, in Michigan City, Indiana... 021
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Looking for Great Lakes teaching resources for summer programs or the upcoming school year? Explore collections on weather & climate, pollution prevention, and nutrient pollution featuring lesson plans, videos, fact sheets, readings, and visualizations. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9t-FPy0zEQ 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Crayfish burrows are not just homes for crayfish. 🦞 Vulnerable species like the Hine’s emerald dragonfly and the crawfish frog depend on them for shelter, water, and survival. Protecting crayfish means protecting an entire ecosystem beneath our feet. #CrayWeek #Crayfish #HinesEmerald 0176
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Welcome to CrayWeek 2026! 🦞 Around 400 crayfish species across the US. Nearly half threatened by development, pollution, or human activity. This week we are celebrating their outsized role in freshwater ecosystems. Follow along! 0174
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Educators got hands-on with water science this spring at our Project WET Make-and-Take Workshops! Participants explored engaging ways to connect students with water systems and the Great Lakes. 🌊 Read more: cgll.org/resource/bri... #TeachingTuesdaycgll.orgBringing Water Education to Life in ChicagoChicagoland educators explore water in Hands-on H2O: Project WET Make-and-Take Workshops hosted by Illinois–Indiana Sea Grant. 031
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Last week our education team partnered with C-PASA at Purdue to give high school students a day of Forestry and Natural Resources career experiences. (All bird handling was performed by licensed professionals.) 020
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 22/07/2026This summer our team spent an afternoon with the young women of Sail Her Dreams at Montrose Harbor in Chicago exploring Great Lakes food webs, aquatic invasive species, and round goby fishing. 022
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Join us for an evening of science, history, and conversation this Wednesday, July 22 at Sketchbook Brewing Company. Learn how Chicago’s waterways were built, what researchers are discovering about fish in the Chicago River today, and test your Great Lakes knowledge with trivia and prizes. 001
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 15/07/2026New hands-on activity from GLANSIS for educators: learners kayak or paddle to collect floating species cards, identify aquatic nonindigenous species, and explore their ecological impacts. Fieldwork-style learning that actually gets students on the water. 🛶🌊 Resource: cgll.org/resource/les...cgll.orgLesson: Paddling for Preservation: Searching for Aquatic Invasive SpeciesPaddling For Preservation introduces learners to identifying aquatic nonindigenous species and using paddling vessels for research. 021
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Free virtual career panel for anyone interested in environmental and natural resources careers. July 22 at 10 AM CT / 11 AM ET. Five panelists across fisheries, aquatic ecology, environmental management, education, and volunteer engagement. Register: purdue-edu.zoom.us/meeting/regi... 053
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Educators: registration closes tomorrow (July 8) for the Earth Systems: A Great Lakes Perspective workshop at Indiana Dunes. Two days of hands-on Project WET activities focused on water and the Great Lakes. Great for PD hours. Register today: www.simpletix.com/e/earth-syst...simpletix.comEarth Systems: A Great Lakes Perspective Tickets | Dunes Learning CenterDunes Learning Center, Indiana Department of Natural Resources/Division of Fish & Wildlife, National Great Rivers, and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant have teamed up to offer a two-day, water-themed worksh... 036
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 02/07/20264th of July weekend water safety reminder: designate one person in your group as the water watcher to keep their eyes on the kids and elderly at all times. It is a simple thing that makes a real difference. More tips: www.lakemichigansafety.org 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Last month, we visited the Wild Mile with Cook County’s Illinois Master Naturalist trainees! From testing water quality to sampling zooplankton, we got hands-on with the river and explored its connection to the Great Lakes Basin. #teachingtuesday 020
Reposted by Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantIllinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Call for proposals: IISG's 2026 Seed Grant Research Competition is open. Up to $150,000 total for pilot studies on southern Lake Michigan. $10,000 to $50,000 per project, 50% match required. Applications due August 17, 2026. Info webinars July 2 and July 21. Details: iiseagrant.org/illinois-ind...iiseagrant.orgIllinois-Indiana Sea Grant seeks proposals for Seed Grant research projects in southern Lake Michigan - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantThe Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program (IISG) is accepting proposals for its 2026 Seed Grant Research Competition, which will provide funding for pilot studies and initial investigations that ... 022
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 24/06/2026This month, 4-H youth joined us at Martell Forest to explore careers in natural resources! Over three days, participants created scent traps, dissected owl pellets, climbed trees, and went birding while learning about the many career paths available in natural resources. 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Call for proposals: IISG's 2026 Seed Grant Research Competition is open. Up to $150,000 total for pilot studies on southern Lake Michigan. $10,000 to $50,000 per project, 50% match required. Applications due August 17, 2026. Info webinars July 2 and July 21. Details: iiseagrant.org/illinois-ind...iiseagrant.orgIllinois-Indiana Sea Grant seeks proposals for Seed Grant research projects in southern Lake Michigan - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantThe Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program (IISG) is accepting proposals for its 2026 Seed Grant Research Competition, which will provide funding for pilot studies and initial investigations that ... 022
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Add a Great Lakes twist to your summer reading! Discover stories inspired by our region with Great Lakes Great Reads. Check out reading lists perfect for beach days or quiet evenings. greatlakesgreatread.org 062
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Real-time coastlines, real-world insights. Check out the LIVE feed of Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park Beach – supporting recreationalists, researchers, and the broader public, linked here: www.webcoos.org/cameras/indu...webcoos.orgIndiana Dunes, IN | WebCOOSThe project website for WebCOOS 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Meet IISG Scholar Diana Alejandra Narvaez (Purdue) She is developing a soft material wave energy harvester for freshwater environments using WPU piezoresistive sensing and flexible piezoelectric elements embedded in 3D printed TPU structures. Full story: iiseagrant.org/meet-our-gra...iiseagrant.orgMeet our Grad Student Scholars: Diana Alejandra Narvaez - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantMeet Our Grad Student Scholars is a series from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) celebrating the students and research funded by our scholars program. To learn more about our faculty and graduate stu... 060
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Science Sips is back in Evanston. 🌊 July 22 at Sketchbook Brewing: the engineering history of the Calumet and Chicago waterways from author Dick Lanyon, plus a Chicago River fish community update from Shedd Aquarium's Austin Happel. Details: www.facebook.com/share/18SoXc... 033
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 27/05/2026Good resource for educators: @NAAEE's Plastics eeResearch collection: 6 studies on plastic pollution education, covering PK through middle school. Goes beyond reduce/reuse/recycle into research-backed approaches for meaningful engagement. Free to access: eepro.naaee.org/community/re... 📷 NOAA 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 21/05/2026IISG Buoy Specialist Les Warren deployed the Wilmette & Chicago Lake Michigan buoys on Saturday providing real-time water temp, wave height, wind speed, & atmospheric data is back online & open to all. Michigan City coming soon. Wilmette: iiseagrant.org/wilmettebuoy/ Chicago: iiseagrant.org/45198/ 021
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 13/05/2026May is Water Safety Month 🌊 Dangerous currents near Lake Michigan piers and breakwalls catch swimmers by surprise every year. The key move if caught: swim to the side, not against the current, then to shore. More Lake Michigan-specific safety resources: www.lakemichigansafety.orglakemichigansafety.orgLake Michigan Water SafetySafety Signs and Posters for Beaches, Piers, and Other Locations 021
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 07/05/2026📣 Call for proposals: the 2026 State of Lake Michigan Meeting (Nov. 4–6, Michigan City, IN) is accepting symposia and workshop submissions. If you have a timely Great Lakes topic worth a dedicated session, proposals are due June 1 at 1 PM ET. Submit: iiseagrant.org/solm 053
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 06/05/2026Happy Teacher Appreciation Week. 🍎 A genuine thank-you to every educator building Great Lakes literacy in their classroom! The students who learn to understand and value these waters will be the ones who protect them. We appreciate every thing you do, seen and unseen, appreciated and overlooked. ❤️ 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Recap: we talked trash about Chicago waterways at a brewery on Earth Day and it was genuinely great. Tim Hoellein (@loyolachicago.bsky.social) and Sarah Zack (IISG) shared what the research actually says about litter in Lake Michigan followed by Great Lakes trivia and great conversation. 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 29/04/2026Located in D.C., the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources, & in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. Learn more: iiseagrant.org/apply-now-fo... 021
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 28/04/2026Educators: IISG has 5 Great Lakes professional learning workshops this spring/summer: birds & watersheds, Project WET, coastal science, earth systems, & engineering design. PD hrs included. Hands-on throughout May 3, June 10, July 16, July 31–Aug 1, Aug 18 Register: iiseagrant.org/education/pr... 011
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 27/04/2026We took Great Lakes science to C2E2 in Chicago and used Subnautica to explain food webs, invasive species, and aquaponics to thousands of comic con attendees. Freshwater ecology is just as wild as surviving an alien ocean. 🌊🎮 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 24/04/2026Invasive Crayfish Collaborative lightning talks are coming up! Rapid-fire updates from researchers & managers on crayfish impacts, distribution, management & policy. 💻 Mon Apr 27 | 3pm ET: illinois.zoom.us/meeting/regi... 💻 Tue Apr 28 | 12pm ET: illinois.zoom.us/meeting/regi... 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 24/04/2026Did you know unused meds can end up in our lakes, rivers, and drinking water? This Saturday (April 25, 10am–2pm), safely dispose of them during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Find a drop-off site: unwantedmeds.org/how-to-dispose/find-a-drop-off-location 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 23/04/2026Happy Earth Day 🌎 Protecting our water starts with all of us. Every action, big or small, helps keep the Great Lakes healthy for the future. 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 08/04/2026Join the 2026 Great Lakes BioBlitz! Starting Earth Day, you are invited to help document biodiversity across the Great Lakes region using iNaturalist. A kick-off webinar is scheduled for April 16th at 2 pm CT. Learn more and get ready to explore: sites.google.com/wisc.edu/ann... 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 03/04/2026Celebrate Earth Day with freshwater science and good conversation! Learn what research reveals about litter and trash in Lake Michigan and Chicago waterways and what we can do to help. Plus, enjoy Great Lakes trivia games! 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Check out Me and Debry, a 30-min interactive play by Wisconsin Sea Grant that helps students explore litter in the Great Lakes and how to make a difference. Free scripts available in multiple languages! Learn more: www.seagrant.wisc.edu/our-work/foc... #TeachingTuesdayseagrant.wisc.eduMe and Debry! | Wisconsin Sea GrantA Grab-and-Go Education Kit For: Grade 5 – adultTopic: Marine Debris Prevention Me and Debry is a half-hour, whimsical, audience participation, theatrical performance about litter (marine debris) prev... 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 26/03/2026Meet IISG grad student scholar, Qianyu Zhao. Qianyu is a PhD student at U of I, focusing on understanding and reducing nutrient loss pollution. Learn more about Qianyu’s research: iiseagrant.org/meet-our-gra...iiseagrant.orgMeet our Grad Student Scholars: Qianyu Zhao - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantMeet Our Grad Student Scholars is a series from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) celebrating the students and research funded by our scholars program. To learn more about our faculty and graduate stu... 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 25/03/2026Located in D.C., the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources, & in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. Learn more iiseagrant.org/apply-now-fo...iiseagrant.orgApply now for the 2027 Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantThe Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational and professional experience for graduate students with an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources, and in the national polic... 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 24/03/2026Science is Survival at C2E2 2026! Catch us at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (March 27–29) as we explore the underwater world of Subnautica through the lens of Great Lakes science. Learn more about the event: www.c2e2.com 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 19/03/2026Don’t miss out! Join us for a deep dive into the latest Lake Michigan fisheries science. Learn more & register: purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 18/03/2026See how this year’s ice cover on Lake Michigan compares to past years with NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory data & borrow our Great Lakes Basin floor map to help students visualize the data. View the data: www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/ice/#hi...iiseagrant.orgLoanable Kits - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantWhether it’s scientific equipment or colorful costumes, these ready-to-use educational materials are available to rent for classroom or event use. 001
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 06/03/2026Find us at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, March 27–29! We’re linking Subnautica with Great Lakes science through fun, hands‑on activities about food webs, invasive species, and aquaponics. Come geek out with us! 🧪🐟 010
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 04/03/2026Are you teaching about water quality this spring? Check out this series of short explainer videos on key water quality parameters! They’re perfect for helping students understand concepts like pH, conductivity, turbidity, & more. Explore the playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...youtube.comDive Into Water Science - YouTube 000
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 03/03/2026Now Available: Nature-Based Coastal Solutions in the Great Lakes Our 3-part video series explores how natural, hybrid & traditional approaches protect shorelines and strengthen coastal resilience. See real Great Lakes examples. Watch now: iiseagrant.org/work/coastal...iiseagrant.orgNature-based Coastal Solutions In the Great Lakes: Video Series - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantCoastal protection options exist on a spectrum, ranging from softer “green” solutions like native vegetation to harder “gray” infrastructure such as groins, revetments, and seawalls. Nature-based coas... 010
Reposted by Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantMinnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) @mnseagrant.bsky.social · 24/02/2026Don't miss the boat! Apply for a #LakeSuperior immersion by Feb. 28! 🌊 5-12th grade #GreatLakes educators are invited to spend a week aboard an EPA research vessel with scientists. Organized by the Center for Great Lakes Literacy, July 7-13, 2026. 🔗Apply today: z.umn.edu/mnsg_shipboa... #EduSky 043
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 14/02/2026Some partnerships just make sense. Happy Valentine’s Day from IISG! 💕 041
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 28/01/2026Still time to register! Educators are invited to join the Great Lakes Region Place-Based Education Institute starting this Feb and dive into hands-on strategies that connect students with their communities and local environments. Learn more & register: greatlakesstewardship.org/about-2/gl-r... 143
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant @ilinseagrant.bsky.social · 27/01/2026Congratulations to our IISG Knauss Fellowship finalists! We’re proud to announce Anupama Chandroth (Indiana University) and Laura Gray (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) as Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s finalists for the 2026 Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship. 🎉 iiseagrant.org/national-sea...iiseagrant.orgNational Sea Grant welcomes 2026 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship finalists - Illinois-Indiana Sea GrantThe Sea Grant program has selected 48 finalists for the 2026 Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship program. Two of those finalists were submitted by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, with the rest from 25 other state... 020