GLIN==> Updates from Michigan Sea Grant - March Newsletter

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Climate Change and Water Quality in the Great Lakes
Michigan Sea Grant is leading the outreach and education component of a
five-year project focusing on climate change and water quality. Researchers
are using the western basin of Lake Erie and the Maumee River watershed as
a case study that may be applicable to other areas in the Great Lakes, such
as Saginaw Bay and Green Bay.

“This project is a great opportunity for Michigan Sea Grant to engage with
some of the top scientists about climate, water quality and land use in the
Great Lakes," said Jim Diana, director of Michigan Sea Grant.

There are four main parts to the project that address weather and climate,
land use and water quality. Michigan Sea Grant (MSG) and others, based at
the U-M School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), are leading
three of the four components. SNRE professors Michael Moore, Marina Lemos,
Dan Brown and Don Scavia (Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute)
are gathering data to develop a better understanding of water management
approaches, as well as addressing how invasive zebra and quagga mussels
affect water quality. The University of Michigan College of Engineering,
Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences program (AOSS) is leading the
weather and climate component.

“Our job is to translate the science for the general public,” said
Elizabeth LaPorte, MSG director of communication and education services and
leading the outreach portion of the project. “This is a complex project
with many different components, but that is also the exciting part —
communicating the collaborative nature of the project and why it matters.”

A new article profiling the climate-modeling work of one of the project
partners calls attention to the multi-disciplinary nature of the project
and the important role of students. David Wright, a doctoral student in the
AOSS program teamed up with Dr. Derek Posselt, assistant professor, and Dr.
Allison Steiner, associate professor, also of AOSS, to produce the findings
and the paper about lake-effect snow.

The study looks at how climate change can impact weather systems. Wright
specifically examined the influence of ice cover and water temperature on
lake-effect snow. He used a high-resolution weather forecast model to
answer the question: How would lake-effect snow be changed if there is
complete ice cover on the Great Lakes, no lake ice cover or warmer lake
temperatures? Wright and other students are working with researchers to
develop a framework for integrating human, biological, geographic and
chemical controls on water quality, ecology and climate.

See: Full Article<http://umich.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=9ba230ce30f288b0a07ffbf95&id=461433d232&e=6cb2643e3b>

------------------------------

 Follow-up to Low Lake Levels
The Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Quality
and Office of the Great Lakes have created an online Dredging Community
Toolkit to assist in addressing navigation issues related to low Great
Lakes water levels. Key components of the toolkit:

   - Background on dredging
   - Information on state-funded emergency dredging sites and methods used
   for selecting them
   - Actions the state is taking to expedite projects and permitting
   - Frequently asked questions
   - Important contact information

 See: Toolkit<http://umich.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=9ba230ce30f288b0a07ffbf95&id=54d44d0b68&e=6cb2643e3b>
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Events *Great Lakes Water Safety Conference*
The Great Lakes Water Safety conference is scheduled for Friday, April 12.

The conference is geared toward beach and water-safety first responders,
beach managers, emergency services managers, parks and recreation
representatives, local and regional officials, police and fire rescue teams
and others who work with public safety.

*When:* 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
April 12
*Where:* Wisconsin Hall
610 S. Wisconsin,
Gaylord, Mich.
*Registration Fee:* $10 due by Friday, April 5.

See: Registration and
Agenda<http://umich.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=9ba230ce30f288b0a07ffbf95&id=2399a96d5c&e=6cb2643e3b>


*Water Levels – Ottawa County Edition*
Learn more about Lake Michigan’s record low lake levels and ask questions
during this free event.

*When:* 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 8
*Where:* Ottawa County Fillmore Complex
12220 Fillmore St., West Olive, Mich.
*What:* Specialists will be on hand to discuss issues and answer questions
regarding the record-low lake levels.

Space is limited. RSVP via KGoward at the-macc.org
<%20KGoward at the-macc.org>or (616)
395-2688.


*Fisheries Workshops*
Michigan Sea Grant Extension, in partnership with fisheries agencies and
stakeholder organizations, host public information workshops each year. The
workshops — scheduled for April — will focus on current research and
information related to Great Lakes fisheries.

These workshops are open to the public, and provide valuable information
for anglers, charter captains, resource professionals and other interested
stakeholders.

See: Workshop Schedule<http://umich.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=9ba230ce30f288b0a07ffbf95&id=75250b4c21&e=6cb2643e3b>
        [image: American Robin]

The Robin – Springtime Harbinger? When people see an American robin this
time of year, many think it is a sign of spring, but robins can be found
year round in Michigan.

Robins in Michigan all year? Just like humans, some American robins spend
their summers in Michigan, and then migrate to warmer states like Florida
in the winter. However, not all of them do.

See: Robins in Springtime<http://umich.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=9ba230ce30f288b0a07ffbf95&id=0afd71e5ac&e=6cb2643e3b>
    [image: Leopard frog]

Citizen Science: Make a Difference People all across Michigan are helping
build knowledge and understanding of Michigan’s bountiful natural resources
by contributing their time. Michigan Sea Grant works with organizations
that offer opportunities for interested people to get involved in citizen
science.

One such group, the Friends of the Rouge (FOTR), have two volunteer
monitoring programs — a Frog and Toad Survey and a Benthic
Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Program (better known as the Bug Hunts and
Stonefly Searches). Become part of the movement!

See: Citizen Science<http://umich.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9ba230ce30f288b0a07ffbf95&id=c499a4a629&e=6cb2643e3b>
    [image: Inspecting and cleaning boat]

Keeping it Clean The Michigan Clean Marina Program works with marinas to
adopt environmentally sound and economically feasible practices to reduce
the impact of boating on the environment. The program recently unveiled a
boater-centric education effort.

During the recent Detroit Boat Show, several educational topics were
displayed and explained to boaters, including preventing spread of invasive
species, lake level changes and the boating industry, litter on the water
and shore, recycling boat shrink-wrap and methods for reducing
environmental impact.

See: Clean Boating<http://umich.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9ba230ce30f288b0a07ffbf95&id=fa4107ca5f&e=6cb2643e3b>

  Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s
coastal, Great Lakes resources through research, education and outreach.
*www.miseagrant.umich.edu*

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*




Questions? Contact:
*Stephanie Ariganello | *Communications Coordinator
Michigan Sea Grant - University of Michigan
stephaa at umich.edu <Stephaa at umich.edu> | 734.615.0400
520 E. Liberty, St. 310 - Ann Arbor, MI 48104
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