Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

09/09/2026

Did you know a drop of water from Lake Superior can eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean?

Help students discover how the Great Lakes are connected to each other, their watersheds, and the global ocean system. These connections make the Great Lakes part of a much bigger story about water on Earth.

Explore Great Lakes Literacy Principle #1 and find resources for your classroom at the link in the comments.



Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources
University of Illinois Extension
NOAA Education
National Marine Educators Association

09/04/2026

Curious about a career in natural resources or environmental science?
Hear directly from five professionals working across the Great Lakes region as they share what they do, how they got there, and the advice they have for students and early-career professionals.
In this recorded Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant career panel, you'll hear from experts in:�🌿 National parks�🌊 Great Lakes stewardship�🎣 Urban fisheries�🧪 Aquatic ecology�🌎 Environmental management

Whether you're exploring career paths or just love learning about Great Lakes careers, this conversation is full of practical insights and inspiration.

Watch the full webinar at the link in the comments.

09/02/2026

IISG Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist Katie O’Reilly was featured on WTTW - Chicago PBS last week, speaking about the growing threat invasive carp pose to the Great Lakes.

Last week, monitoring crews found hundreds of juvenile silver carp in the Marseilles Pool, just 80 miles from Lake Michigan. Finding juveniles means they are actively reproducing, which makes controlling their spread significantly more difficult.

“This is a significant step in the invasion process that we haven’t previously observed,” O’Reilly said.

Katie also discusses the importance of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project and why there is still time to protect the Great Lakes if we act now.

Read or watch the full interview:

For 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.

09/02/2026

Curious minds wanted! Connect your classroom with Great Lakes scientists through Students Ask Scientists. Students can ask real questions, explore Great Lakes science, and discover careers.

Learn more: https://iiseagrant.org/education/students-ask-scientists/

Students learn about research projects and scientific processes used to monitor and protect the Great Lakes. And they, of course, get to ask scientists questions about the Great Lakes and what a career in science looks like.

08/27/2026

Our education team really enjoyed the opportunity to work with Girls Inc. of Chicago and the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation to investigate our watershed through zooplankton sampling and water quality testing.

08/27/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 State of Lake Michigan Meeting!

Join researchers, resource managers, educators, communicators, and partners from across the Lake Michigan region November 4–6 in Michigan City, Indiana, to share research, build collaborations, and explore the latest science and management efforts shaping the future of Lake Michigan.

Learn more and register:

08/25/2026

Summer of Great Lakes Learning!

As summer comes to a close, we're celebrating the educators who deepened their understanding of the Great Lakes and discovered new ways to bring Great Lakes literacy to life for their students. Thank you for making waves in environmental education!

✅ Hosted two Hands-on-H2O, Make and Take workshops in Chicago.
✅ Investigated the intersection of coastal science and engineering at Illinois Beach State Park
✅ Partnered at Indiana Dunes to lead a two-day Project WET workshop with a Great Lakes focus

Thank you to all the teachers who gave up some of their summer break to attend these Great Lakes professional development opportunities.

08/18/2026

Trivia: Which Great Lake has the longest shoreline? (Hint: It's not the largest by volume!) The answer is in the comments.

Use Great Lakes facts and challenges to spark curiosity and build geographic literacy with youth by borrowing our 8 x 10 foot floor map of the Great Lakes Basin.

Learn more about our loanable kits: https://iiseagrant.org/education/loanable-kits/

08/18/2026

Over the past five years, Sea Grant seafood specialists from 14 programs have collaborated to support the $70 billion U.S. seafood industry by certifying 7,785 seafood professionals in FDA‑required training for seafood processors. Working across state lines, these specialists have shared expertise to fill gaps in training capacity—supporting programs without certified trainers and even states without a Sea Grant program—ensuring the seafood industry nationwide has access to critical food safety education.

Learn more:

Sea Grant seafood specialists from 14 programs have collaborated to support the $70 billion U.S. seafood industry by certifying 7,785 seafood professionals in FDA-required training for seafood processors.

08/14/2026

🦞CANCELED 🦞 Due to recent heavy rains, additional rain in the forecast, and anticipated sustained high water levels creating unsafe conditions, Rusty Rodeo on Saturday, August 15 has been canceled for the safety of participants, volunteers, and staff.

This family-friendly event has been a favorite for participants and partner organizations and really demonstrates the enthusiasm our communities have for the Fox River. We share your disappointment that we will not be wrangling rusty crayfish this year, but we hope you will find many other ways to connect to the river and look forward to seeing you in 2027!

Forest Preserve District of Kane County
Fox Valley Park District
Friends of the Fox River
Illinois Department of Natural Resources