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University of Michigan - School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)

At the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), we are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and just world for all by transforming the impact of higher education and reimagining the future. We are advancing action through innovation, research, education and engagement in society, and developing leaders who are empowered to halt the climate crisis and create an environmentally sound future for generations to come.

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30x30 Great Lakes Michigan the Beautiful

Aquatic
GIS
conservation
stakeholders
natural resources
aquatic ecology
Project Abstract: 
With 3,300 miles of shoreline on four of the five Great Lakes, Michigan plays a crucial role in conserving this freshwater resource. By integrating Great Lakes coastal and open waters into its 30x30 Michigan the Beautiful plan, the state aims to secure freshwater access, boost climate resilience, and meet biodiversity goals. Our project develops conservation strategies for Michigan's Great Lakes waters aligned with this initiative. Through literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, geospatial analysis, and policy assessment, we aim to conserve 30% of Michigan’s Great Lakes portion. Collaborating with community and tribal representatives, industry professionals, and government officials, we gather diverse insights on conservation priorities. Using ArcGIS, we will map priority areas for conservation based on developed criteria. We will create two case studies showcasing future conservation project opportunities in distinct coastal regions, reflecting different challenges and community dynamics. These examples will illustrate our prioritization criteria and serve as potential conservation sites. Our analysis and recommendations will guide Michigan’s conservation efforts, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem health, and natural resource access. The outcomes will inform decision-makers, conservation organizations, and stakeholders working towards Michigan’s 30x30 goals.
Investigators: 
caiyoung
crfloyd
ciaraxue
Status of Research Project: 
Active
Years Active: 
2024
Research sites: 
St Mary's River At Sault St Marie
Methods: 
We will be conducting an extensive literature review, diving into both policy and ecological aspects of conservation-based research, reviewing case studies, specified policies enacted within varying states within the United States and globally, 30x30 state plans, International Standards for Protection, NGO and community conservation efforts. This will primarily take place during the Winter 2024 semester and into the Summer 2024 season and will aid in contextualizing our research, identifying knowledge gaps, and providing insight on methodologies used in our project. In addition to the literature review, we will conduct semi-formal interviews with a diverse group of stakeholders, amounting to a total of approximately 30 individuals. This includes local residents, tribal representatives, industry professionals, NGO leaders, government officials at different levels, academic experts, recreational stakeholders, and fisheries and wildlife managers to enhance the team’s understanding of current and future policy engagement, to identify the needs and priorities of stakeholders, and to gain insight on stakeholder expertise. Furthermore, we will use geospatial tools to provide a baseline of the current coastal status in Michigan. This includes identifying areas under protection and the types of protection they have, as well as assessing the current policy and management regime. These analyses will also cover relevant trends, such as geographic, sectoral, or other areas showing growth in conservation implementation, as well as areas that are at risk.