Theodora Pinou, Western Connecticut State University, Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences,  MS in Integrative Biological Diversity Program Director and Coordinator. 

Pinou is Department Chair and Professor of Biology Sciences at WCSU. She is also a Curatorial Affiliate in Vertebrate Zoology at the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. She received her BA, MA, and Ph.D at New York University in Biology, with a focus in vertebrate evolution and ecology.

Laurence Marsicano, Lake Communities Symposium Co-organizer, Brawley Consulting Group LLC, Limnologist & WCSU Biology Instructor.  larry.marsicano@gmail.com

Larry obtained his B.A. from Western Connecticut State University in 1988 and his M.A. from Connecticut College in 1993.  He managed the Freshwater Ecology Laboratory at Connecticut College for Dr. Peter Siver from 1990 to 1997 which specialized in paleolimnology and regional lake water quality studies.  His publications can be viewed at the Silica Secchi Disk website.  In 1998 he was hired by the Candlewood Lake Authority and in 2003 became the Executive Director of that public lake management agency, the largest lake in Connecticut.  He held that position until 2017 when he became a Principal Partner at Aquatic Ecosystem Research, LLC.  He is now the Senior Limnologist for Brawley Consulting Group LLC, and teaches limnology to graduate students in the WCSU MS in Integrative Biological Diversity Program.

Mr. Greg Bugbee, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Office of Aquatic Invasive Species

Associate scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Forestry where his career has spanned over four decades. He is the principal investigator in the Invasive Aquatic Plant Program and head of the newly formed Office of Aquatic Invasive Species. He has led aquatic plant surveys of nearly 400 Connecticut lakes and ponds and has directed research projects on invasive aquatic plant control statewide. He is the current Past President of the Northeast Aquatic Plant Management Society and has numerous popular and scientific publications. He is the recipient of the 2015 Journal of Aquatic Plant Management “Outstanding Paper Award” for his work on controlling curlyleaf pondweed. More recently, he has documented the extensive infestation of a genetically distinct strain of hydrilla the Connecticut River and plays a major role in state and federal research into management options.

TITLE: "The March of Hydrilla in Connecticut & Reclaiming the Connecticut River from Hydrilla"

Abstract: Hydrilla was discovered in Connecticut in 2008 in a pond near Mystic Seaport. In the following decades, it was observed in several other Connecticut lakes and the Silvermine River.  This was the monecious strain typically seen from the Carolinas northward. In 2016, a new strain of Hydrilla was found in the Connecticut River with subsequent surveys documenting nearly 1000 acres from southern Massachusetts to within a few miles of Long Island Sound. Although both strains can cause serious ecological and economic damage, the Connecticut River strain is more robust and can rapidly engulf entire coves, marinas, and river systems.  In 2022, Connecticut River Hydrilla was detected near a boat launch in East Twin Lake.  At present, the strain has been confirmed in eight other lakes. This rapid spread is alarming.  Mr. Greg Bugbee from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and Dr. Ben Sperry from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, will discuss the history and biology of Hydrilla, how it is spreading in Connecticut, and the ongoing work on finding effective management options.

Dr. Benjamine P. Sperry, US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center

Dr. Benjamin “Ben” Sperry is a research biologist on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Engineer Research and Development Center Aquatic Plant Management Team. Stationed at the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, Dr. Sperry serves as a principal investigator on various aquatic plant management research projects that aim to improve USACE APM operations, charged with managing U.S. freshwater resources.  Originally from Citrus County, Florida, Dr. Sperry earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida and his Ph.D. at Mississippi State University before moving back to Florida to begin his current role. Dr. Sperry is an avid outdoorsman and can be found inshore fishing on the gulf coast or hunting public and private lands across the southeast.

TITLE: "The March of Hydrilla in Connecticut & Reclaiming the Connecticut River from Hydrilla"

Abstract: Hydrilla was discovered in Connecticut in 2008 in a pond near Mystic Seaport. In the following decades, it was observed in several other Connecticut lakes and the Silvermine River.  This was the monecious strain typically seen from the Carolinas northward. In 2016, a new strain of Hydrilla was found in the Connecticut River with subsequent surveys documenting nearly 1000 acres from southern Massachusetts to within a few miles of Long Island Sound. Although both strains can cause serious ecological and economic damage, the Connecticut River strain is more robust and can rapidly engulf entire coves, marinas, and river systems.  In 2022, Connecticut River Hydrilla was detected near a boat launch in East Twin Lake.  At present, the strain has been confirmed in eight other lakes. This rapid spread is alarming.  Mr. Greg Bugbee from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and Dr. Ben Sperry from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, will discuss the history and biology of Hydrilla, how it is spreading in Connecticut, and the ongoing work on finding effective management options.

Mr. Matthew Goclowski, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Fisheries Division & AIS Grants Oversight Committee

Matt works in the Fisheries Division’s Habitat Conservation and Enhancement Program and is responsible for reviewing various DEEP permit applications that have the potential to affect fish or fish habitat as well as administering the state’s triploid Grass Carp permitting program. Prior to coming on full time with the Fisheries Division, he worked as an environmental scientist on a variety of projects including fish passage studies, instream flow studies, and utility infrastructure permitting projects. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management & Engineering from UCONN, a Master’s degree in Fisheries Management from Auburn University, and a GIS certificate from Penn State.

TITLE:  "Five Years into Grants for the Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in CT"

With the passage of Public Act No. 19-190 in 2019, a grant program was formed to help in the management of aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms.  Support for the program has been through the Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp funds collected and deposited into the "Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation Account." Matt Goclowski will discuss the grant program, some changes to the program on the horizon, and discuss the upcoming request for proposals for 2025 projects.  This is your chance to begin planning your grant application!

Neil Stalter, Candlewood Lake Authority, Director of Ecology and Environmental Education

TITLE: "Discussion by Lake and River Community Stakeholders on Their Projects Funded Through the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation Account"

ABSTRACT: The Candlewood Lake Stewardship Program had been funded for the last four years through the AIS Grant Program. In that time, lake stewards have performed over 2,500 voluntary boat inspections for aquatic invasives, have stopped six instances of new potential invaders, have collected anonymous recreational data, and have performed boater education.

Jeff Arpin and Al Fichtel Amston Lake District

TITLE: "Thwarting the Spread of Eurasian Watermilfoil at Amston Lake in Hebron, Lebanon and Colchester, Connecticut"

The Amston Lake Tax District (ALTD) was created in 2002 by a special act of the Connecticut General Assembly. The ALTD is managed by a municipal government run by a nine-member board of directors whose mission statement is to promote lake health and resident safety. They are elected to oversee lake management, environmental monitoring, and neighborhood security. There are over 800 property owners in the Amston Lake District.

Amston Lake had a very diverse aquatic plant flora and never had an aquatic invasive plant until 2021.  Hear from current and past ALTD members on how planning and quick response averted the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil at this lake.

Dr. Ken Wagner - Water Resource Services, Wilbraham, Massachusetts

Dr. Wagner holds degrees from Dartmouth College and Cornell University, with his Ph.D. earned in Natural Resource Management in 1985.  He has over 45 years of experience working on a variety of water resources assessment and management projects, including lake, reservoir, river and watershed assessment, rehabilitation, and management, regulatory processes, and educational programs.  In 2010 he started Water Resource Services, a small company with a focus on water supply protection and lake management consulting. He is a former President of the North American Lake Management Society and former Editor in Chief of Lake and Reservoir Management, a peer-reviewed journal. Ken is currently revising the Practical Guide to Lake Management in Massachusetts, which he originally prepared in 2004.

TITLE: "Putting the RAPID in Rapid Response: Considerations for Effective Reaction to Aquatic Invasive Species"

Abstract: Preventing the infestation of lakes by aquatic invasive species (AIS) is far preferable to conducting extensive eradication or maintenance programs in terms of success, unintended impacts, and cost. As AIS use multiple means of dispersion that can be difficult to control, rapid response plans (RRP) represent an important defense, allowing removal before an infestation can reach the stage where eradication becomes difficult to impossible. Key elements of a RRP include:

1. Detection of Invasion – Monitoring to ensure that invasions are detected early
2. Quantifying the Extent of Invasion – More monitoring to determine how much area is affected
3. Species Threat Summary – Analysis of total area that could be affected and what impacts are likely
4. Communication and Education – Getting the word out to all involved or affected parties so that cooperative action can be taken
5. Quarantine Options – Determining what actions to take to prevent further spread
6. Control of Infestations – Any of multiple actions to eliminate the AIS, often species-specific
7. Prevention of Re-Infestation – Closing off routes of invasion if known and manageable

Each step presents opportunities and challenges, particularly with regard to mustering resources and getting necessary approvals (permits) to take action. Examples from around southern New England suggest that current state permitting and management systems are woefully inadequate for supporting rapid response. Local groups (towns, lake associations) would be well served by putting a RRP in place and seeking all approvals in advance of necessary implementation. Putting the “rapid” in rapid response is probably the most important thing on which to focus.