Ask an Expert is a series of free webinars providing opportunities to learn from and share knowledge with those who study the watershed and work to protect the well-being of our waters and lands.
Join us to learn and ask questions about Lake of the Woods and its Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed including topics of watershed governance, science, traditional knowledge, resource management and much more.
2025 Ask An Expert Webinar: Understanding Bitumen’s Impact on Freshwater
Dr. Vince Palace (IISD-Experimental Lakes Area)
2025 Ask an Expert Full Series List
The 2025 series of free “Ask An Expert” webinars returns this fall! Please register for sessions of your choice using the links below.
If you have ideas for future topics or speakers, please email us with your suggestions!
October 28 @ 1:00 pm CST: "Microplastics and Freshwater Health: Insights from the pELAstic Project"
Dr.Chelsea Rochman (University of Toronto)
November 4 @ 12:00 pm CST: "Microplastics and Freshwater Health: Lessons from the Great Lakes"
Dr. Karen Kidd (McMaster University), Dr. Eden Hataley (Royal Canadian Military College), Dr. Rebecca Rooney (University of Waterloo)
Brendan Spearin (Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada), Chris Herc & Michaela Novak (Grand Council Treaty #3 Territorial Planning Unit)
Doug Jensen (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
December 2 @ 1:00 pm CST: "Algae and Ice: Exploring the Science and Story"
Dr. Andrew Bramburger (Environment and Climate Change Canada) and Andrew Budziak (Royal Canadian Geographical Society / National Geographic Society Explorer)
2024 Ask an Expert Full Series List
The 2024 series of free “Ask An Expert” webinars has now concluded. Please visit the links below to watch the recordings of these sessions with watershed experts who generously shared their time and knowledge with us this fall.
If you have ideas for future topics or speakers, please email us with your suggestions!
November 7 @ 1:00 p.m. CST: "International Water Quality Objectives, Alerts and Core Monitoring for Rainy - Lake of the Woods"
Co-chairs of the International Rainy Lake of the Woods Watershed Board's Aquatic Ecosystem Health Committee Todd Sellers (Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation), Mike Hirst (Lake of the Woods County Soil & Water Conservation District)
November 13 @ 12:00 p.m. CST: "Nutrient Studies in Rainy River & Lake of the Woods"
Dr. Catherine Eimers (Trent University), Jesse Anderson (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)
Zac Morris & Jordan Vargas (AMI Engineers), Marianne Bachand & Olivier Champoux (Environment and Climate Change Canada)
December 3 @ 1 p.m. CST: "How Rule Curves for Water Levels Management Work"
Megan Garner and Alexandra Lavictoire (Environment and Climate Change Canada), Abby Moore (US Army Corps of Engineers), Phil Talmage (MN Department of Natural Resources), Ryan Maki (Voyageurs National Park)
December 5 @ 1 p.m. CST: "Fish Studies on Rainy Lake"
Benjamin Erb and Dr. Andrew Hafs (Bemidji State University), Dr. Marianne Bachand (ECCC), Phil Talmage (MN Department of Natural Resources), Ryan Maki (Voyageurs National Park)
2023 Ask An Expert Full Series List
Join us for the 2023 series of free “Ask An Expert” webinars, as we study our watershed and learn how to protect our natural resource assets. Our lineup of experts have a wealth of knowledge and this is your chance to connect directly with them.
Seminars will consist of an expert presentations followed by a Q&A opportunity. Pre-registration is required. More details and registration for the seminars at the links below.
May 15 @ 1:00 p.m. CDT: "Who's Who in the Watershed" - Megan Garner (National Hydrologic Service - Environment and Climate Change Canada), Maria Jawaid (ECCC), Alexandra Lavictoire (Lake of the Woods Control Board), Abby Moore (US Army Corps of Engineers) & Teika Newton (Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation / International Joint Commission)
June 5 @ 1:00 p.m. CDT: "Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and Monitoring" - Chris Herc (Grand Council Treaty #3 Territorial Planning Unit), Ashley Hoffmeister & the LakeSmart Team (Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association) & Amanda Weberg (Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District)
September 11 @ 1:00 p.m. CDT: "Climate Change in Our Basin" - Dr. Leif Olmanson (University of Minnesota), Dr. Scott Higgins (IISD-Experimental Lakes Area), Dr. Clare Nelligan
November 8 @ 1:00 p.m. CDT: "Review of the 2023 Field Season for Rainy - Lake of the Woods" - Shane Bowe (Red Lake Department of Natural Resources Water Resources Program), Dr. Adam Heathcote (Science Museum of Minnesota), Anna Baker (USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center).
November 27 @ 1:00 p.m. CST: "Review of the 2023 International Watershed Coordination Program" - Teika Newton (International Watershed Coordinator) and project partners (TBD).
2024 Ask An Expert Webinar: International Water Quality Objectives, Alerts and Core Monitoring for Rainy - Lake of the Woods
Co-chairs of the International Rainy Lake of the Woods Watershed Board's Aquatic Ecosystem Health Committee Todd Sellers (Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation), Mike Hirst (Lake of the Woods County Soil & Water Conservation District)