Experience conservation in action and learn how collaborative restoration efforts are making a difference for Michigan’s largest native fish. Join fellow MAEOE members for a bring-your-own-lunch picnic featuring juvenile Lake Sturgeon before their release into the Flint River. A limited number of sturgeon will be on display in an aquarium, and conference attendees can enter a free raffle for the opportunity to release a sturgeon. Once abundant in Michigan’s rivers and lakes, Lake Sturgeon declined dramatically due to overfishing and habitat loss. Since the 1990s, partners across the Saginaw Bay watershed have worked to restore sturgeon habitat and populations through conservation, education, and reintroduction efforts. Since 2018, thousands of juvenile sturgeon have been released into the Cass, Flint, Shiawassee, and Tittabawassee rivers, helping restore this iconic Great Lakes species. Please reach out to conference@maeoe.com with any questions or accessibility requests. Location: Paddlers' Landing at Mott Park Recreation Area (located on Sunset Drive) Time: Friday, October 2 from 11:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Arrival: Use the rocky driveway to enter the park. Parking is available on the grass near the river. There will be a short walk to the Flint River. The park area is grassy, and there are stairs connecting the park to the river release site. Bring your own lunch along with a seat or blanket. Chairs and/or tables can be available upon request.