University of Toledo Lake Erie Center

06/17/2026

What if YOU could help solve real environmental challenges?

At UToledo EcoLab: Solve the Crisis, students will tackle hands-on STEM activities, explore environmental science and work alongside experts to investigate solutions for the future.

🌎 Experiment
🧪 Investigate
🚀 Innovate

Join us this summer at The University of Toledo.

More info and to register: bit.ly/4o9f8uM


City of Toledo Toledo City Paper Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Toledo The University of Toledo Undergraduate Admission University of Toledo Department of Biological Sciences

06/17/2026

🐟 Bringing an ancient Great Lakes species back from the brink.

New research from Dr. Bill Hintz, an associate professor of ecology based at the University of Toledo Lake Erie Center, and collaborators at The University of Toledo tracked the movements of juvenile lake sturgeon released as part of Ohio's first-ever sturgeon reintroduction effort in the Maumee River. The study found that young sturgeon successfully migrated into Lake Erie regardless of how they were raised, providing valuable insight for long-term restoration efforts.

Lake sturgeon once thrived throughout the Great Lakes but were nearly eliminated by overfishing, pollution and habitat loss. Today, UToledo researchers are helping lead a multi-agency effort to restore a self-sustaining population in the Maumee River and western Lake Erie.

"This is a long-term effort," said Dr. Hintz. While the fish won't reach spawning age for another decade or more, the research is helping scientists better understand how to ensure future generations of sturgeon return to Ohio waters.

Along with Hintz, the latest study’s co-authors included lead author Jorden McKenna, who graduated from the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Toledo with a master’s degree in ecology and organismal biology in 2023 and now works as a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service! 🥳

🔬 Research that protects freshwater ecosystems.
🌎 Science with impact for the Great Lakes.
🚀 The Power To Do.

Full article: bit.ly/4aWKhMm

The University of Toledo Alumni and Foundation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The University of Toledo Office of Research

06/12/2026

What does it take to restore an iconic Great Lakes species? 🐟

Researchers and students at The University of Toledo are helping reestablish a self-sustaining population of lake sturgeon in the Maumee River and western Lake Erie through a collaborative, long-term restoration effort.

The work is part of the broader research mission of UToledo's Lake Erie Center, where faculty and students study the environmental challenges shaping freshwater ecosystems — from invasive species and algal blooms to water quality and fisheries restoration.

By investigating local conditions, UToledo researchers are generating insights that help protect the Great Lakes and inform conservation efforts far beyond our region.

Learn more: https://www.utoledo.edu/spotlight/sturgeon/

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