Before the full FLMS Symposium sets sail, we’re offering four one-of-a-kind workshops that are equal parts hands-on, insightful, and “wow-I-can-actually-use-this.”

📍Date: Tuesday, August 27
📍Location: Hawks Cay (and some workshops might even get your feet wet)
📍Registration Link: https://flms.net/chapters-and-workshops/technical-workshops/

Whether you’re into plants, sonar, data, or the mysterious workings of R code, we’ve got something that’ll make you smarter and your projects better.

🎣 Workshop 1: Lake (and Fish!) Mapping with Consumer Sonar & BioBase
Instructor: Ryan Sullivan, BioBase LLC


Forget complicated equipment—bring your curiosity and let sonar do the heavy lifting. You’ll map the bottom of a real waterbody, track vegetation, and check out the brand-new EcoFish layer that sizes up the fish population. Field demo in the morning, data wizardry in the afternoon.
💡 Bonus: You can now say you’ve mapped fish professionally.

🌿 Workshop 2: Aquatic Weed Control, Herbicide Resistance & Biocontrol Insects
Instructor: Dr. Lyn Gettys, UF/IFAS


Plants don’t just appear out of nowhere (well…sometimes they do). Learn how weeds spread, what to do when they won’t leave, and how bugs can help. Perfect for those who love order in their aquatic ecosystems—or just want fewer headaches.
🪴 Also: learn how to pronounce “Gettys” like “lettuce” (you’re welcome again).

📊 Workshop 3: From API to Analysis – Big Data in R
Instructors: Dan Schmutz, GPI & Alex Manos, Pinellas County


If you’ve ever yelled “Why is this CSV so messy?” into the void, this workshop is for you. We’ll teach you how to pull big datasets from agencies like FDEP and USGS, then analyze them using R without sacrificing your sanity. Beginners welcome!
🧠 Warning: You may fall in love with constrained ordination.

🌱 Workshop 4: Aquatic Plant ID (No Pre-reqs Required)
Instructor: Dr. Lyn Gettys, UF/IFAS


Get hands-on with Florida’s native and non-native aquatic plants. Learn the subtle clues that separate lookalikes, and walk away with new skills for managing—and restoring—aquatic habitats.
🔍 Because not all green things are the same green thing.

Why Attend?
✔️ Gain skills you can actually use in the field (or in front of a computer)
✔️ Dive into topics you won’t find in regular sessions (no actual diving will be required)
✔️ Get face time with experts who love to teach (not the iPhone kind of face time either) 
✔️ Earn continuing education credits (& who doesn’t love those?) 

See you in Duck Key—ready to learn, explore, and make waves.


Team FLMS

Posted in Education, Fisheries, Invasive, Uncategorized, Water Quality