On June 29th, owner of Floating Islands West, Laddie Flock and Environmental Consultant, Ryan Cruz presented a live webinar titled, "The Fight Against Golden Algae" which explained how to describe how to identify, combat, and prevent golden algae.

Cruz explained that golden algae is not a well-known freshwater ailment that is spreading across the Southwest up to British Columbia.

 
He also went on to explain that floating islands, also known as artificial wetlands, are a great resource to mediate this algae species after identifying its presence through lab tests. This technology is naturally occurring in nature and is also adapted through "biomimicry." Rather than turning to chemicals that can lead to species death, utilizing naturally occurring methods is more successful and less harmful to non-algae species.

Earn LACES, APLD, PGMS, QWEL, and NALP CEUs OnDemand. Click here to sign up and learn more about this illusive algae.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand unique challenges posed by Golden Algae (Prymnesium Parvum) in a water body
2. Be able to identify Golden Algae in a body of water
3. Be able to build a strategic plan/course of action to decrease or eliminate GA blooms in a body of water

Webinar Description:
Lake association water managers face a constant struggle to maintain water quality. Golden algae (Pyrmnesium Parvum) is particularly virulent and difficult to identify. No chemical solutions have been found to mitigate this algae that affects any oxygen-dependent life (fish, plants). Strategically applied biological, science-backed, nature-based remedies have proven successful. What is golden algae? How it is different than blue-green algae or other algae that invades freshwater lakes? What approaches have been used against Golden Algae? What approaches have been the most successful? Case studies - Inherent challenges with nature and natural processes (the number of variables, lack of control over conditions, etc).