One-month post conference, and the entire staff is still buzzing on the experience and opportunities that the 2020 Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society (NEAPMS) presented to the entire Black Lagoon staff. Held between January 14th-16th, this year represented the 21st annual meeting and was held in historic Lake Placid, New York. As compared to years prior, this year’s conference focused on a wide array of topics dealing with lake management including:

• aquatic plant identification and mapping,
• Hazardous Algal Blooms (HABs)
• climate change
• hydrilla
• new technologies

The biggest benefit of this meeting comes not only from the exceptional learning opportunities (presentations and workshops), but from the atmosphere that is produced. This meeting has a perfectly balanced blend of individuals from state agencies, academic institutions, manufacturers and applicators who all come together to progress the lake management field. One couldn’t help but observe the conversation and networking that was occurring for the duration of the event.

Outside of the conference itself, the staff also had the opportunity to enjoy a truly unique experience in learning, or attempting to learn, to curl at the Olympic Training Center Ice Rink. Some of our staff also enjoyed skiing at nearby Whiteface Mountain prior to attending the meeting. I believe I can speak for the entire Black Lagoon staff in saying we are looking forward to 2021 in Cape Cod!