North American Lake Management Society

North American Lake Management Society
Name	North American Lake Management Society
Abbreviation	NALMS
Formation	1980
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	United States
Region served	North America

North American Lake Management Society is a professional association focused on the protection, restoration, and management of lakes, reservoirs, and other freshwater ecosystems across United States, Canada, and Mexico. The organization brings together scientists, managers, consultants, policy-makers, and citizens to address issues such as eutrophication, invasive species, and watershed management through science-based guidance and collaboration with institutions like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and state agencies. NALMS promotes best practices in limnology, aquatic ecology, and water resource management while engaging with regional partners including the Great Lakes Commission, Chesapeake Bay Program, and provincial ministries.

History

Founded in 1980 amid growing public concern sparked by events like the Cuyahoga River fire and policy developments such as the Clean Water Act (1972), the society emerged from networks of limnologists, resource managers, and organizations like the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography and the International Association for Great Lakes Research. Early activities linked to initiatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and academic programs at institutions such as the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Michigan State University, and Cornell University. Through the 1990s and 2000s, NALMS expanded its reach by collaborating with programs like the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and regional efforts involving the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Mission and Activities

The society’s mission centers on protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems via science, education, and partnerships with entities like the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Canadian Wildlife Service. Activities include technical workshops drawing expertise from researchers at University of Minnesota, University of British Columbia, and Dalhousie University, applied projects addressing harms from species such as Zebra mussel and Asian carp, and guidance on nutrient reduction aligned with recommendations from the International Joint Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. Outreach incorporates training for practitioners who work with agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Membership and Chapters

Membership spans professionals and volunteers affiliated with organizations like the Society of Wetland Scientists, American Fisheries Society, and the Association of State Wetland Managers, as well as students from programs at Oregon State University, Pennsylvania State University, and McGill University. The society organizes regional chapters reflecting geography and institutional partners, often coordinating with state agencies such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and provincial partners like the British Columbia Ministry of Environment. Chapters facilitate local lake associations, citizen monitoring networks modeled on programs like the Waterkeeper Alliance and state lake management partnerships.

Conferences and Publications

NALMS convenes annual conferences that attract presenters from universities including University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Ohio State University, and University of Alberta, along with representatives from federal programs such as EPA Great Lakes National Program Office and NGOs like the Nature Conservancy. Proceedings and technical papers are published in society outlets used by practitioners working on projects tied to frameworks like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and case studies involving watersheds such as the Mississippi River Basin and St. Lawrence River. The society also issues guidance and white papers that reference standards from organizations like the American Public Health Association and datasets produced by the USGS National Water Information System.

Awards and Recognition

The society honors individuals and projects with awards recognizing contributions in restoration, research, and outreach, spotlighting leaders from institutions such as Syracuse University, University of Michigan, and Iowa State University. Awards often acknowledge work connected to major programs like the National Estuary Program and conservation efforts supported by foundations such as the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation. Recipients include academics, agency staff, and citizen scientists who have advanced lake stewardship in collaboration with entities like the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the Puget Sound Partnership.

Partnerships and Advocacy

NALMS partners with regional and international organizations including the Global Environment Facility, United Nations Environment Programme, and basin commissions such as the Columbia River Basin. Advocacy emphasizes science-informed policies related to nutrient management, invasive species control, and climate impacts, engaging with legislative forums including state legislatures, the United States Congress, and provincial assemblies. Collaborative initiatives link with research centers like the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and conservation NGOs including World Wildlife Fund and Audubon Society to promote resilient freshwater ecosystems.

Category:Environmental organizations based in North America Category:Water conservation organizations Category:Lakes