Mark your calendars for the 2026 Winter General Assembly on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons in Perrysburg. This event is one of two annual meetings of the General Assembly of TMACOG, bringing together members and community leaders to discuss key issues and initiatives that are shaping our region’s future.
Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss pressing topics during engaging caucus sessions that are designed to foster collaboration, information sharing, and strategic planning. At the business meeting, the General Assembly representatives of member organizations will vote on several critical issues that will influence our direction and priorities in the coming year. Your voice and input are essential to this process.
The keynote presentation will explore the significant economic impact of Lake Erie on our region, highlighting how this vital natural resource drives economic development and tourism.
The Winter General Assembly is a chance to connect with peers, stay up to date on regional developments, and contribute to important decisions. Whether you’re a voting representative or an engaged member of the community, your participation strengthens our collaboration.
Stay tuned for additional details, registration, and the full agenda!
Inspiring careers in science and environmental stewardship
More than 250 students from over two dozen schools celebrated science and environmental learning during the annual Student Watershed Watch Summit at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium.
The summit capped off fieldwork and data analysis from this fall, when nearly 1,200 students explored local waterways, collected samples, and learned how science connects to real-world stewardship and water quality. At the summit, students shared creative presentations of their findings and met professionals working in natural resources.
Student Watershed Watch, coordinated by TMACOG since 1989, equips students and teachers to understand water quality through data collection and analysis. The program fosters appreciation for natural resources and encourages environmental responsibility while introducing students to careers in science and conservation. Over its 36-year history, more than 25,000 students have participated.
Keynote speaker Katie Rousseau shared how her own participation in Student Watershed Watch sparked a career in environmental policy and data coordination.
Rousseau is the strategic initiatives manager for the Great Lakes Observing System, a wide-ranging science network that includes data collected by SWW students. Her role as a coordinator ensures data is analyzed and shared with elected officials and decision makers, where it can have an impact. She described her experience advocating for resources in Washington, D.C., drafting legislative testimony, and working with congressional staff to influence policy.
During the afternoon, awards recognized the most outstanding student presentations:
Grades 5–8
Best Overall Presentation: Aerospace & Natural Science Academy of Toledo Most Creative Presentation: Ottawa Hills Elementary Most Informative Presentation: Chase STEMM Academy
Grades 9–12
Best Overall Presentation: Sylvania Southview High School Most Creative Presentation: Sylvania Northview High School Most Informative Presentation: Woodmore High School
Student Watershed Watch thrives thanks to support from organizations including the Lucas County Engineer’s Office, General Motors, the City of Toledo, the Mannik & Smith Group, The Nature Conservancy, The Toledo Zoo, and The Andersons.
TMACOG’s Passenger Rail Advisory Group discussed the future of regional rail connectivity, drawing inspiration from one of the Midwest’s most successful commuter rail connections during a hybrid meeting.
Michael Noland, president of the South Shore Line and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, shared how the 90-mile electric-powered South Shore Line linking South Bend, Indiana, to downtown Chicago has transformed after decades of neglect. Thanks to sustained investment, the corridor has reached a “state of good repair,” improving safety, reliability, and travel times while fostering transit-oriented development around stations. The line also connects seamlessly with Metra, Chicago’s regional commuter network.
Ridership, while still rebounding from pandemic lows, continues to climb each year. Noland highlighted recent upgrades and ambitious plans, underscoring the system’s role in reducing congestion and offering cost-effective travel compared to driving and parking in Chicago.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur recently experienced the service firsthand, driving to South Bend before boarding the South Shore Line into Chicago. She praised the amenities, affordability, and convenience before expressing interest in exploring similar options for northern Ohio, either by connecting to the South Shore Line or developing an independent regional system.
The group discussed key challenges, including securing right-of-way for passenger rail that doesn’t share tracks with freight carriers, inventorying potential corridors, and accelerating the lengthy process of launching new service. Participants also stressed the importance of integrating passenger rail into Ohio’s long-range transportation plans, especially as the region continues to lose rail corridors.
In other news, Stu Nicholson announced that the Rail Passengers Association will host its 2026 national conference in Toledo. The event could attract several hundred attendees, spotlighting Toledo as a hub for passenger rail advocacy.
Water utility opportunities highlighted at Maritime Career Day
Graduates and leaders representing the Water Workforce Coalition sparked conversations about opportunities in water and wastewater utility service with hundreds of students and community members at this fall’s Maritime Career Day at the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
Three program participants who have found success shared their experiences and career journeys, helping attendees learn how water professionals protect public health and the environment while enjoying stable, well-paying careers in the public sector.
These individuals, now employed at Northwest Water and Sewer District, the City of Fremont, and the Village of Haskins, spoke about what it means to be a drinking water or wastewater operator – critical positions that ensure safe drinking water and clean waterways for communities across the region.
They were joined by TMACOG staff in promoting the Water Workforce Coalition, which connects students and job seekers with training programs, certifications, and career pathways.
Maritime Career Day was an interactive workforce development event that welcomed than 450 students in grades 7-12. Some traveled from as far as Cleveland and Detroit to explore opportunities in the wide range of careers linked with the Great Lakes.
To learn more about the Water Workforce Coalition, go to www.waterworksforyou.org
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