NOAA will provide its 2026 Harmful Algal Bloom forecast for Lake Erie on Thursday, June 25, during a media briefing hosted by Ohio Sea Grant and The Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory. The event will feature expert commentary on the seasonal forecast, a discussion of the impacts of harmful algal blooms to Lake Erie’s economy and communities, and federal, state and local response. The briefing will be broadcast online and will include a moderated Q&A for credentialed media.
In-person participation: In-person attendees will meet with NOAA’s lead harmful algal bloom forecaster, take a research vessel cruise to learn firsthand about monitoring, and see laboratory demonstrations. Please RSVP using this form offsite link by June 19 as in-person attendance is limited.
Virtual participation: Reporters must register in advance offsite link to view graphics and ask questions during the briefing. If preferred, reporters can listen to the webinar by telephone, but they will be unable to ask questions in the Q&A session.
Phone for audio listening ONLY:
US: 468-769-923
Webinar ID: 954 0651 1710
Password: 552444
WHEN
Thursday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT
WHERE
Stone Laboratory
The Ohio State University’s Island Campus
Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456
Logistics: In-person attendees should take the Miller Ferry to South Bass Island departing from Catawba Point at 9:30 am to make it in time for the news conference. Stone Laboratory staff will meet the ferry and transport participants to the laboratory for the briefing. Lunch will be provided.
WHORick Stumpf, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Nate Manning, National Center for Water Quality Research, Heidelberg UniversityGrace Young, University of MichiganCal Buelo, US Environmental Protection AgencyChris Winslow, Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory at The Ohio State University (Moderator)