Aquatic Plant Identification
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
3700 East Gull Lake Drive
Hickory Corners, MI 49060
Workshop Overview
Explore the rarely seen world of freshwater plants!
Join us for a two-day aquatic plant identification course at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS). This immersive workshop runs 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and combines fieldwork, lab sessions, and expert instruction.
About the Workshop
Michigan’s inland lakes host a wide variety of native and invasive aquatic plants. Accurate identification is essential for conservation professionals, resource managers, and anyone working with aquatic ecosystems.
Led by Erick Elgin, MSU Extension, Dr. Jo Latimore, and Dr. Jeremy Hartsock, MSU Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, this advanced workshop focuses on:
- Identification of submerged and emergent plants in the littoral zone (shallow water)
- Hands-on exploration of lake and pond species
- Species-level determination using lab and field specimens
- Field visits to sites in the greater Kalamazoo and Barry County area
- Laboratory examination and guided identification
Participants Will Learn:
- Aquatic plant morphology and terminology
- Michigan aquatic plant identification
- The ecological role of aquatic plants in Michigan waterbodies
Registration Includes:
- Instruction from MSU Extension specialists
- Lab and field identification sessions
- Morning coffee, lunch, and afternoon refreshments
- Aquatic Plants of the Upper Midwest field guide (3rd ed., $45 value)
Costs:
Santuary Member - $250
Non-Santuary Member - $300
Lodging
Traveling from out of the area? Overnight accommodations are available through the KBS Conference Center. To make a reservation, contact:
- Email: conference@kbs.msu.edu
- Phone: 269-671-2400
Cancellation Policy for Events Requiring Registration: If a program is cancelled due to weather or other circumstances by the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, a full refund will be issued. If a registrant must cancel before the event’s registration deadline, a full refund will be issued. Between the registration deadline and the first day of the program, a 20% processing fee per registrant will be retained by the Sanctuary. No refunds the day of an event or after. For events that require prepayment, no space will be held without full payment. If a registrant cannot attend, the spot may be transferred to another person at any time.
Registration for Aquatic Plant Identification is open.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on June 14, 2026.
There are 20 openings available.
Accommodations
Michigan State University Extension programs, services events, and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Contact Information
For more information, please get in touch with the Kellogg Biological Station Community Relations Office at communityrelations@kbs.msu.edu.