The Great Lakes Park Training Institute will be held February 24-27, 2025 at Pokagon State Park in Northeast Indiana.
A virtual conference is also available. Virtual sessions are noted in the Confirmed Sessions list below.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for an additional fee.
Confirmed Sessions. Additional sessions will be added as they are confirmed and dates and times will be updated as soon as possible.
Workshops:
Equestrian Trail Management- Lora Goerlich
Emotional and Cultural Intelligence- Maren Miller and Nikki Murillo
Tree Felling workshop- Indiana DNR staff
NWS Skywarn Spotter Training- Lonnie Fisher
Interpreting Our History- Aimee Wentworth
Microburns: How to conduct prescribed fires in small spaces- John Brittenham
General Sessions- all in person and virtual:
High Impact Communication Skills- Panel
Sustainability Planning for Park and Recreation Agencies- Lucy Mellen
Creating Content for the Speed of the Internet- Andy Behling/Nick Behling
Partnering to Improve Accessibility in Parks- Ross Edelstein/Ric Edwards/ Michael Rea
Concurrent Sessions:
Soybeans to Savannah Sparrows: How The Nature Conservancy in Ohio is transforming a crop field to thriving prairie- Pete Blank
Serving Seniors Successfully- Charlie Shelton/Lori Clough
Disc Golf Design and Installation- Dennis Byrne (also virtual)
Maple Syrup in Parks- Adam Grossman/Brian Gilbert (also virtual)
OHSA Ladder Safety and Other Fun Stuff- Matt Sharp/Larry Hess (also virtual)
Decarbonizing Operations with Biobased Products and Fuels- Pete Probst
Managing Beaver Conflicts with Pond Levelers and Culvert Fencing- Rachel Siegel/Jeff Bowland
Renewable Energy in Michigan State Parks and Harbors- Chuck Allen (also virtual)
What does Power have to do with it?- Maren Miller/Nikki Murillo
Aquatic Facility Assessments – What to expect- Matthew Freeby
How to be an Adult- Carrie Fullerton
How to Motivate Your Team As A Leader- Multigenerational Team Building- Paul Rogus
Creating and Working with Friends Groups- Jodi Heaston (also virtual)
Sourcing Content from the Field with the Michigan State Parks Photo Ambassador Program- Stephanie Yancer (also virtual)
There’s an App for that: Integrating Technology into Park Interpretation- Erin Parker (also virtual)
Understanding the Process to Incorporate Responsible AI Mowing- Norm Kleber
Consrtuction in Park Projects- Marty Huizar
Master/Comprehensive Planning 101 – From Assessing Needs to Securing Funding- Jim Rogers/Laura Guttman (also virtual)
Synthetic Turf Pros and Cons- Tom Rychlik
Nature Play Areas- Kristi Solberg
» View the 2024 Great Lakes Park Training Institute Schedule of Events (February 26–29, 2024)
Schedule will be updated as educational sessions are confirmed.
Industry leaders provide educational sessions and hands-on workshops on timely and relevant topics along five tracks.
Personnel and Career Development:
Leadership, communication, staff training, management, and evaluation
Park and Facilities Maintenance:
Trends, best practices, and training for facilities and grounds maintenance
Natural Resource Management:
Environmental stewardship, management, and sustainability of park and natural resources
Natural and Cultural Interpretation:
Tools and techniques to connect guests, schools, and communities with natural and cultural resources
GLPTI sponsored by:
