Pennsylvania Lake Management Society 30th Annual Conference Wrap Up

And just like that, the last conference of the “off-season” is in the books. Last week some of Black Lagoon’s staff, Christian, Max and Josh attended the 30th Annual Pennsylvania Lake Management Society, or PALMS conference in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania.

Individuals from lake associations, conservation districts, state agencies, management firms and various other organizations come together to shine a spotlight on one of Pennsylvania’s greatest resources, its lakes.

Tim Schaeffer, this year’s keynote speaker, and Executive Director of the PA Fish and Boat Commission presented on the current state of the department and how moving forward his department will look to take a more aggressive approach to managing both aquatic invasive species, AIS and harmful algae blooms, HABs across the commonwealth.

With this also being the 30th year of the conference, the board of directors decided to theme the conference around 30 years of lake management in Pennsylvania, the past, the present, and the future. With this theme in mind, a panel discussion was held to start the second day of the conference in which individuals from several management firms, and state agencies who have been in the field for the durations of their careers answered audience submitted questions involving all aspects of lake management. With the current climate surrounding lakes across the country, no pun intended, HABs and climate change were also a key focus on several of the presentations.

One of the company’s highlights of the conference came during the business meeting where Josh Burnside, Black Lagoon’s Territory Manager for central NJ, southeastern PA, MD and DE was selected to become the President of the organization, where he has previously served as President Elect, and Eastern Regional Director. Congratulations, Josh!!

Though this is a great learning and networking opportunity for our staff, it also rings in the Spring and the start to the season with fountain installation being well underway. If you would like to learn more about the organization, please head over to palakes.org.