ALPENA — Programs from the Association of Lifelong Learners are happening today and next week.

Currently all programs are via Zoom livestream only. These programs are open to the public. Just send an email to ALL@Alpenacc.edu to receive Zoom connection information. Feel free to share this list with your friends, relatives and other organizations.

Today

Today at 2 p.m. is “Identifying Common and Potential Invasive Fish in Lake Huron.”

This presentation will provide information on how to identify and report catches of Ruffe, Tubenose Goby and other invasive fish that are spreading around the Great Lakes. Current range distributions will be shared including preferred habitats for each species. Information will be provided on how to differentiate invasive fish from other species that are similar in appearance. Preventing the spread of invasive species will be highlighted.

Robert Barta is a biological technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based out of Alpena.

Next week’s programs

Wednesday, Feb. 10

At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, learn about “Michigan’s Native Americans.”

Randy Baker of Naturalist Endeavors will discuss Michigan’s Native Americans, using a wide variety of artifacts and materials. The age of the items used in the presentation will range from modern to hundreds, and even thousands of years old. The program will focus on daily life, what resources were utilized, hunting methods and the processes involved in converting raw materials into usable tools and materials. Baker will share his knowledge of Michigan’s Native People in this high-energy, entertaining and educational program.

Baker is originally from Ossineke. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Central Michiga University and his Master’s degree from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. He then went on to Oklahoma State University where he was enrolled in the PhD program studying white-tailed deer. His interest in the interrelationship between people and the surrounding natural resources has led to a lifelong study of Native American cultures.

Thursday, Feb. 11

At 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, hear about “Switching from Pencil and Paper to iPad and the Benefits of Paperless Data Entry.”

The Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office transitioned to paperless data entry in 2019 for their Aquatic Invasive Species program. Using iPads and the Survey 123 application, the Alpena FWCO is able to take their data in the field and send it directly to the cloud in ArcGIS Online. This new approach to data collection and entry comes with many benefits. Matt McLean will cover these benefits as well as what was involved in making this transition.

McLean works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Alpena. He is a crew lead for the Aquatic Invasive Species Program who also handles many of the program’s data and ArcGIS needs.

Other in-person programs

ALL pickleball is playing at the APlex (mask required), from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 for details.

ALL YouTube channel

Many ALL programs are recorded so you can view them later. To see the entire collection, search for the Association of Lifelong Learners at Alpena Community College YouTube Channel.