El Lower
@helloellower.bsky.social
Invasion biologist, science communicator, forager, and general-purpose naturalist. (they/them) 🏳️🌈🍃✨
Reposted by El Lower
Friendly reminder that government spending on Great Lakes Restoration averages a $3:$1 ROI.
House funding package for FY26 largely maintains funding levels for Great Lakes & clean water programs, with modest increases in several areas. Given the significant cuts proposed in 2025, this outcome represents a hard-fought victory for the #GreatLakes. #CleanWater
buff.ly/YszgPlf
buff.ly/YszgPlf
“Remarkable turnaround”—Budget Shows Strong Bipartisan Support for Continued Great Lakes Investment — Healthy Lakes
The House has passed a three-bill funding package that includes funding for the Department of Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and…
www.healthylakes.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Friendly reminder that government spending on Great Lakes Restoration averages a $3:$1 ROI.
Reposted by El Lower
The Coalition, along with more than 70 member groups submitted a letter urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their proposed revision to the definition of “Waters of the United States" #GreatLakes
buff.ly/uaTiksB
buff.ly/uaTiksB
Coalition Urges EPA and Army Corps to Withdraw Proposed Revision to WOTUS — Healthy Lakes
The Coalition, along with more than 70 member groups submitted a letter urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their proposed revision to the…
www.healthylakes.org
January 7, 2026 at 2:24 PM
The Coalition, along with more than 70 member groups submitted a letter urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their proposed revision to the definition of “Waters of the United States" #GreatLakes
buff.ly/uaTiksB
buff.ly/uaTiksB
Reposted by El Lower
Joyeux No-eel: Lampreys as a group are sometimes incorrectly called “lamprey eels." While they do look like eels in that they have slender, snake-like bodies and smooth, slippery skin, lampreys are more primitive, lacking jaws and having a skeleton made of cartilage instead of bone #25DaysofFishmas
December 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Joyeux No-eel: Lampreys as a group are sometimes incorrectly called “lamprey eels." While they do look like eels in that they have slender, snake-like bodies and smooth, slippery skin, lampreys are more primitive, lacking jaws and having a skeleton made of cartilage instead of bone #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by El Lower
My absolute favorite holiday tradition is Lampreia de Ovos, a Portuguese Christmas dessert which contains zero (0) actual lamprey but 50 (!) egg yolks, sugar, and almonds - and is shaped to look like a lamprey. Don’t forget cherries for the eyes! #25DaysofFishmas www.atlasobscura.com/foods/lampre...
December 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
My absolute favorite holiday tradition is Lampreia de Ovos, a Portuguese Christmas dessert which contains zero (0) actual lamprey but 50 (!) egg yolks, sugar, and almonds - and is shaped to look like a lamprey. Don’t forget cherries for the eyes! #25DaysofFishmas www.atlasobscura.com/foods/lampre...
Reposted by El Lower
FINAL DAY!
There have been some fantastic submissions by some awesome #scicomm folks. Don’t miss out on being a part of an amazing week of scicomm at the annual conference. bit.ly/4nTTfxz
#IAGLR26 #ConnectedWaters26
There have been some fantastic submissions by some awesome #scicomm folks. Don’t miss out on being a part of an amazing week of scicomm at the annual conference. bit.ly/4nTTfxz
#IAGLR26 #ConnectedWaters26
Exciting that there are multiple scicomm sessions to pick from for next year’s joint IAGLR-SCAS/SCSA conference, including one co-chaired by yours truly. Get your abstracts in now so we can make this a true scicomm bonanza: bit.ly/4nTTfxz
#IAGLR26 #ConnectedWaters26
#IAGLR26 #ConnectedWaters26
December 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
FINAL DAY!
There have been some fantastic submissions by some awesome #scicomm folks. Don’t miss out on being a part of an amazing week of scicomm at the annual conference. bit.ly/4nTTfxz
#IAGLR26 #ConnectedWaters26
There have been some fantastic submissions by some awesome #scicomm folks. Don’t miss out on being a part of an amazing week of scicomm at the annual conference. bit.ly/4nTTfxz
#IAGLR26 #ConnectedWaters26
Last day to submit an abstract, folks!
Are you a #GreatLakes #InvasiveSpecies researcher or communicator planning to attend #IAGLR26 in Winnipeg? Submit an abstract to our Session 19 by December 19! bit.ly/4nTTfxz
@iaglr.bsky.social #AIS
@iaglr.bsky.social #AIS
December 19, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Last day to submit an abstract, folks!
Reposted by El Lower
Before we head off for the holiday season we wanted to wish you all a Merry Fishmas 🐟 and a Happy New Year 🎆
📷PCU1.3: A festive postcard from Joseph Thomas Cunningham, a marine biologist known for his work on flatfish, to an unknown recipient
📷PCU1.3: A festive postcard from Joseph Thomas Cunningham, a marine biologist known for his work on flatfish, to an unknown recipient
December 19, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Before we head off for the holiday season we wanted to wish you all a Merry Fishmas 🐟 and a Happy New Year 🎆
📷PCU1.3: A festive postcard from Joseph Thomas Cunningham, a marine biologist known for his work on flatfish, to an unknown recipient
📷PCU1.3: A festive postcard from Joseph Thomas Cunningham, a marine biologist known for his work on flatfish, to an unknown recipient
Reposted by El Lower
Exciting that there are multiple scicomm sessions to pick from for next year’s joint IAGLR-SCAS/SCSA conference, including one co-chaired by yours truly. Get your abstracts in now so we can make this a true scicomm bonanza: bit.ly/4nTTfxz
#IAGLR26 #ConnectedWaters26
#IAGLR26 #ConnectedWaters26
December 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by El Lower
If you were considering submitting an abstract for SCAS/IAGLR for our EDI session but didn't because you were only allowed to give one talk, you are now allowed to submit a second talk for sessions 7-11! (We're #10 🤓)
And you still have 2 days left to submit an abstract!
iaglr.org/iaglr-scas26...
And you still have 2 days left to submit an abstract!
iaglr.org/iaglr-scas26...
December 18, 2025 at 1:12 AM
If you were considering submitting an abstract for SCAS/IAGLR for our EDI session but didn't because you were only allowed to give one talk, you are now allowed to submit a second talk for sessions 7-11! (We're #10 🤓)
And you still have 2 days left to submit an abstract!
iaglr.org/iaglr-scas26...
And you still have 2 days left to submit an abstract!
iaglr.org/iaglr-scas26...
Reposted by El Lower
Back in the 1960s, 18 American bluegill got a royal welcome in Japan -- and became the center of an ecological catastrophe. Great reporting from Interlochen Public Radio's Points North team (including an interview with our own @helloellower.bsky.social !)
Gills Gone Wild
In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago’s mayor presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegill. What happened next would change the underwater world…
buff.ly
December 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Back in the 1960s, 18 American bluegill got a royal welcome in Japan -- and became the center of an ecological catastrophe. Great reporting from Interlochen Public Radio's Points North team (including an interview with our own @helloellower.bsky.social !)
Reposted by El Lower
Are you a #GreatLakes #InvasiveSpecies researcher or communicator planning to attend #IAGLR26 in Winnipeg? Submit an abstract to our Session 19 by December 19! bit.ly/4nTTfxz
@iaglr.bsky.social #AIS
@iaglr.bsky.social #AIS
December 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Are you a #GreatLakes #InvasiveSpecies researcher or communicator planning to attend #IAGLR26 in Winnipeg? Submit an abstract to our Session 19 by December 19! bit.ly/4nTTfxz
@iaglr.bsky.social #AIS
@iaglr.bsky.social #AIS
December 8, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Are you a #GreatLakes #InvasiveSpecies researcher or communicator planning to attend #IAGLR26 in Winnipeg? Submit an abstract to our Session 19 by December 19! bit.ly/4nTTfxz
@iaglr.bsky.social #AIS
@iaglr.bsky.social #AIS
Our #GLANSIS program manager and I will be chairing Session 19 at IAGLR 2026, though ours is apparently one of SEVERAL invasive species-themed sessions — we’ve got strong overlap with sessions 18 and 52 proposed by our Canadian colleagues, so perhaps we can put our heads together and collaborate!
The #GLANSIS team will be chairing Session 19: Invasive Species Research and Communication! Submit your abstract soon and come join us in Winnipeg!
Don’t miss your chance to present! Call for Abstracts is now open, offering 70+ sessions to help you find the perfect fit for your oral or poster presentation. The 2026 hybrid conference will take place May 25–29 in Winnipeg. Submit by December 19: https://bit.ly/4nTTfxz
December 4, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Our #GLANSIS program manager and I will be chairing Session 19 at IAGLR 2026, though ours is apparently one of SEVERAL invasive species-themed sessions — we’ve got strong overlap with sessions 18 and 52 proposed by our Canadian colleagues, so perhaps we can put our heads together and collaborate!
Reposted by El Lower
Quagga mussels - the animal in my profile pic - have caused ecosystem shifts in 4/5 Laurentian Great Lakes
They're like kobolds - individually they are tiny and weak but are able to overwhelm the environment with their sheer numbers
They're like kobolds - individually they are tiny and weak but are able to overwhelm the environment with their sheer numbers
One of the most valued fish in the Great Lakes is in serious trouble, and the race is on to find a solution and save them.
youtu.be/xKGr5t1W85k
youtu.be/xKGr5t1W85k
Whitefish are disappearing. What can we do? | Great Lakes Now
YouTube video by Great Lakes Now
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Quagga mussels - the animal in my profile pic - have caused ecosystem shifts in 4/5 Laurentian Great Lakes
They're like kobolds - individually they are tiny and weak but are able to overwhelm the environment with their sheer numbers
They're like kobolds - individually they are tiny and weak but are able to overwhelm the environment with their sheer numbers
Reposted by El Lower
Don’t miss your chance to present! Call for Abstracts is now open, offering 70+ sessions to help you find the perfect fit for your oral or poster presentation. The 2026 hybrid conference will take place May 25–29 in Winnipeg. Submit by December 19: https://bit.ly/4nTTfxz
December 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Don’t miss your chance to present! Call for Abstracts is now open, offering 70+ sessions to help you find the perfect fit for your oral or poster presentation. The 2026 hybrid conference will take place May 25–29 in Winnipeg. Submit by December 19: https://bit.ly/4nTTfxz
Reposted by El Lower
Call for Abstracts is open! With 70+ sessions, there are plenty of opportunities to find the best fit for your oral or poster presentation. The conference will be held May 25–29, 2026, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as a hybrid event. Call deadline, December 19: https://bit.ly/4nTTfxz
November 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Call for Abstracts is open! With 70+ sessions, there are plenty of opportunities to find the best fit for your oral or poster presentation. The conference will be held May 25–29, 2026, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as a hybrid event. Call deadline, December 19: https://bit.ly/4nTTfxz
Reposted by El Lower
Today, as always, we're thankful for the Great Lakes and all the incredible people who care for them
November 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Today, as always, we're thankful for the Great Lakes and all the incredible people who care for them
Reposted by El Lower
Are you planning on attending the IAGLR & SCAS-SCSA 2026 Joint Conference in Winnipeg on May 25–29, 2026?
I will be co-chairing a session (assuming I can secure funding) on Priorities for DEIA in Aquatic Sciences. Please consider submitting an abstract to our session!
iaglr.org/iaglr-scas26...
I will be co-chairing a session (assuming I can secure funding) on Priorities for DEIA in Aquatic Sciences. Please consider submitting an abstract to our session!
iaglr.org/iaglr-scas26...
Abstracts - IAGLR-SCAS 2026
iaglr.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Are you planning on attending the IAGLR & SCAS-SCSA 2026 Joint Conference in Winnipeg on May 25–29, 2026?
I will be co-chairing a session (assuming I can secure funding) on Priorities for DEIA in Aquatic Sciences. Please consider submitting an abstract to our session!
iaglr.org/iaglr-scas26...
I will be co-chairing a session (assuming I can secure funding) on Priorities for DEIA in Aquatic Sciences. Please consider submitting an abstract to our session!
iaglr.org/iaglr-scas26...
Reposted by El Lower
Dear grad students,
Reminder: it’s also totally fine to ignore your [uncle] who thinks your research is a waste of time and resources. You don’t owe people an explanation! They don’t have to get it!
Or, as someone told me as a life-changing piece of advice: reasons are for reasonable people.
Reminder: it’s also totally fine to ignore your [uncle] who thinks your research is a waste of time and resources. You don’t owe people an explanation! They don’t have to get it!
Or, as someone told me as a life-changing piece of advice: reasons are for reasonable people.
Every year around Thanksgiving, I see tons of grad students post heartbreaking messages on social media about how their loved ones don’t understand or support their decision to study what seems like something pointless or silly.
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
Perhaps my American Scientist essay can help!
🧪🌎🦑 #SciComm
“Why Are We Funding This?”
Long-standing myths about “silly science” have contributed to the reckless slashing of government-supported research.
www.americanscientist.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Dear grad students,
Reminder: it’s also totally fine to ignore your [uncle] who thinks your research is a waste of time and resources. You don’t owe people an explanation! They don’t have to get it!
Or, as someone told me as a life-changing piece of advice: reasons are for reasonable people.
Reminder: it’s also totally fine to ignore your [uncle] who thinks your research is a waste of time and resources. You don’t owe people an explanation! They don’t have to get it!
Or, as someone told me as a life-changing piece of advice: reasons are for reasonable people.
Reposted by El Lower
Oil-detecting dogs and battery-powered ships: dive into HazMaTON’s webinar collection for excellent presentations about hazardous material transport, oil spill clean-up, mapping projects, and more: buff.ly/5Awf7x6
@mnseagrant.bsky.social
@mnseagrant.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Oil-detecting dogs and battery-powered ships: dive into HazMaTON’s webinar collection for excellent presentations about hazardous material transport, oil spill clean-up, mapping projects, and more: buff.ly/5Awf7x6
@mnseagrant.bsky.social
@mnseagrant.bsky.social
Reposted by El Lower
The U.S. EPA and Army Corps of Engineers has proposed a set of new rules that would leave millions of acres of wetlands, small waterbodies, and ephemeral streams across the country unprotected — threatening the drinking water of millions of Americans. #GreatLakes #CleanWater
buff.ly/8mEJpMf
buff.ly/8mEJpMf
Three Great Lakes States at Greatest Risk as EPA Rolls Back Wetland Protections
The wetlands protection rollback threatens millions of acres, impacting drinking water and essential wildlife habitats across America.
www.circleofblue.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The U.S. EPA and Army Corps of Engineers has proposed a set of new rules that would leave millions of acres of wetlands, small waterbodies, and ephemeral streams across the country unprotected — threatening the drinking water of millions of Americans. #GreatLakes #CleanWater
buff.ly/8mEJpMf
buff.ly/8mEJpMf
I’m following Les Mis Letters (reading a chapter a day of the unabridged Les Miserables for a full year) and we have now reached the infamous sewer digression. Victor Hugo is second only to @neorsd.org in their respective passions for wastewater management….
November 19, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I’m following Les Mis Letters (reading a chapter a day of the unabridged Les Miserables for a full year) and we have now reached the infamous sewer digression. Victor Hugo is second only to @neorsd.org in their respective passions for wastewater management….
Reposted by El Lower
Beyond Chicago's charismatic exotic animals (shout-out to Chance the Snapper), the city's waterways have also become home to less conspicuous - but environmentally harmful - exotic species like weatherfish, goldfish, and red swamp crayfish.
A good reminder to never release pets to the wild!
A good reminder to never release pets to the wild!
The city has seen its share of exotic animals, crawling, slithering and swinging, unattended in Chicago streets and waterways. But what happens when there’s a peacock strutting down the alley?
A monkey on the loose: Odd animal sightings in Chicago
www.wbez.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Beyond Chicago's charismatic exotic animals (shout-out to Chance the Snapper), the city's waterways have also become home to less conspicuous - but environmentally harmful - exotic species like weatherfish, goldfish, and red swamp crayfish.
A good reminder to never release pets to the wild!
A good reminder to never release pets to the wild!
Reposted by El Lower
In our #PictureOfTheWeek, invasive carp exposed to an electric shock leap out of the Illinois River. Now, a new and contentious plan aims to keep the fish out of the Great Lakes: buff.ly/avmUipw
November 19, 2025 at 12:43 PM
In our #PictureOfTheWeek, invasive carp exposed to an electric shock leap out of the Illinois River. Now, a new and contentious plan aims to keep the fish out of the Great Lakes: buff.ly/avmUipw
I’ll be presenting virtually this time around and am looking forward to our session tomorrow!
I am currently near water that is part of the Great Lakes system. Things are a little more right with the world for the next two days.
In Detroit for Great Lakes ANS Panel meeting. Facilitating a session on AIS comms w/ @helloellower.bsky.social. Learning more about the impacts of our comms!
In Detroit for Great Lakes ANS Panel meeting. Facilitating a session on AIS comms w/ @helloellower.bsky.social. Learning more about the impacts of our comms!
November 18, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I’ll be presenting virtually this time around and am looking forward to our session tomorrow!