In addition, the conference provides lakefront property owners with an opportunity to explore a wide range of inland lake stewardship-related topics including lake ecology, natural shoreline protection and restoration, water law and riparian rights, the latest research, tools, and methods being deployed by lake scientists and managers to control aquatic invasive species such as starry stonewort and phragmites and strategies to enhance the capacity of property owners’ associations to work effectively on behalf of their lake. Keynote presentations will be given by Grenetta Thomassey, PhD, Watershed Policy Director, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and Vicki Springstead, Chair, Higgins Lake Foundation, who will share a wealth of valuable “lessons learned” derived from many years of working with lake associations and other conservation groups in Michigan. This year’s conference theme is “Preserving Your Freshwater Gem: The Essentials of Lake Stewardship.” The conference will provide participants with the knowledge, information and skills they need to become better care-takers of their respective inland lakes. Their 57 th Annual Conference will be held at the Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, MI on Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21, 2018. Since 1961, the ML&SA Annual Conference has presented a unique and rewarding opportunity for lakes users and property owners, citizen scientists, commercial and non-profit business representatives and lake management professionals to engage and exchange ideas focused on preserving and protecting the health and value of Michigan’s priceless inland lakes and streams for future generations. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality also provides resources on swimmer’s itch. Information will also be presented about the new Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Merganser Control Permit Program and how lakes can obtain a permit. Attendees will also learn about successful methods for reducing the levels of the itch-causing parasite in a lake, as well as new preventative methods which are being developed, including a new repellant.

On Saturday, April 21 st, MISIP will present the results of its 2017 control efforts at the Michigan Lake and Stream Associations (MLS&A) Conference, detailing the impressive results of programs on five northern Michigan Lakes, as well as encouraging new research efforts which promise to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the lifecycle of swimmer’s itch and methods to reduce the risk of swimmer’s itch at a lower cost. Common Mergansers have been found to be the most prevalent host of swimmer’s itch on northern Michigan lakes. Swimmer’s itch, caused by parasites that live in many Michigan lakes, can cause severe itching and red bumps on the skins of the swimmers unfortunate enough to encounter them. Its mission is to bring together lake associations and provide leadership to address swimmer’s itch through effective, comprehensive, science-based control programs, targeted research, education and the development and testing of preventive measures. The Michigan Swimmer’s Itch Partnership (MISIP) is an informal partnership of lake associations formed in 2014.

Glen lake swimmers itch