University of Toledo Lake Erie Center

05/02/2026

From classroom to coast-to-coast headlines 🐟🌎

At The University of Toledo, you don’t just study science—you help shape it!

Research led by Dr. Bill Hintz, Department of Environmental Sciences, is gaining national and global attention, with 38+ media placements highlighting how invasive goldfish are reshaping freshwater ecosystems. A new study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology shows invasive goldfish can rapidly disrupt freshwater ecosystems—hurting water quality and native species across the food web.

📺 Featured on major outlets like FOX Weather and Spectrum News
📰 Picked up by Yahoo News, MSN and more
🌍 Reaching audiences across the U.S. and around the world

“People often think of goldfish as harmless pets, but when they’re released into the wild, they can dramatically alter ecosystems,” said Hintz. “Understanding these impacts is critical—and it’s exactly the kind of hands-on research our students are part of every day.”

We’re proud to see the amazing research taking place in the UToledo College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics reaching audiences near and far—and helping people understand why “releasing a pet” can have real environmental consequences.

This is the kind of real-world impact you can be part of as a student at UToledo—working alongside faculty, contributing to meaningful discoveries and seeing your work reach far beyond campus!

🔗 Read the full UTNews article: bit.ly/4d3O0YR

The University of Toledo Office of Research University of Toledo Lake Erie Center The University of Toledo Undergraduate Admission

04/30/2026

The falcons have hatched in the U. Toledo tower! Check out the live 'Fal-Cam'

Fal-Cam : Toledo Peregrine Project : The University of Toledo

04/28/2026

New research by Dr. Hintz and colleagues

A new study finds invasive goldfish trigger dramatic ecological collapse in freshwater lakes, threatening native wildlife at every level of the food web.

04/17/2026

In case you missed last night's talk, "Novel and emerging toxins and cyanobacteria: what else is in the bloom?" by Dr. Greg Dick, you can watch it here.

04/16/2026

We are looking forward to our webinar tonight at 7pm, "Novel and Emerging Toxins and Cyanobacteria: What Else is in the Bloom?"
Join us for an informative talk by Dr. Greg Dick followed by an opportunity to ask questions.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/AlgalBloomWebinar
Password: LakeErie

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03/23/2026

We are looking forward to a great lecture on Thursday at 7:00! Learn more about UToledo Professor, Randy Ellingson, and his research in this UT News story:

Dr. Randy Ellingson will discuss the science of converting sunlight into electricity and the differing public perceptions of solar power.

02/24/2026

Join us for the next lecture in our spring series!
UToledo Professor Randy Ellingson will describe the basic scientific principles of solar energy conversion and share stories and perspectives addressing the scientific, technological, environmental, economic, political and policy aspects of solar PV. Together we can explore why, despite its many remarkable attributes, there are wide-ranging perceptions of
utility-scale solar energy in Ohio (and other) communities

02/11/2026

🌊 Big things happening for the ! Environmental officials from the U.S. EPA and Canadian partners gathered in Chicago to celebrate progress and set priorities for protecting our freshwater treasures that supply drinking water to over 30 million people and support vibrant ecosystems.

One of the most pressing topics? Battling invasive species that threaten restoration efforts — especially grass carp in the Maumee watershed. 🐟

📣 Shout-out to Dr. Christine Mayer, Department of Environmental Sciences, The University of Toledo, for calling attention to this issue and the challenge it poses to wetland restoration projects in Ohio. Mayer’s insights on managing invasive carp while conserving newly restored habitats are a crucial part of this regional effort. "Ohio is actually constructing and reconnecting wetlands. So they're investing dollars in building wetlands and we don't want larger vigorous fish to get into these areas," Mayer said.

This meeting wasn’t just about problems — it highlighted successes like improved water quality at many Lake Erie beaches, collaborative agricultural practices to cut down harmful runoff and innovative conservation work across the region.

Here’s to continued collaboration, science-driven solutions and a healthier Great Lakes for future generations! 💙🌍

Full article on Ideastream Public Media: bit.ly/4rKoIVn

University of Toledo Lake Erie Center

01/13/2026

01/05/2026

https://news.utoledo.edu/index.php/01_05_2026/utoledo-ecologists-lend-research-support-to-sturgeon-reintroduction-efforts

Lake Erie Center researchers are key collaborators in a multiagency initiative to reestablish a self-sustaining population of lake sturgeon in the Maumee River before 2040.

11/24/2025

We welcomed more than 20 journalists on Friday as part of a workshop hosted by the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources. “Troubled Waters: The Fate of the Great Lakes in a Shifting Federal Landscape” brought participants from The Blade to The New York Times to the shores of Lake Erie. The workshop itinerary included a visit to UToledo, where researchers shared their work supporting the health of the environment with the journalists during stops at Lake Erie Center and the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization.