New Strategic Plan Highlights Sustainable Coasts

Michigan Sea Grant is adopting a new strategic plan in 2005, highlighting Great Lakes issues to be addressed over the next five years. 

Strategic issue areas are identified within the context of “sustainable coasts,” a theme that serves as a central framework for addressing some of the State’s most critical coastal resource issues.

“The theme of sustainable coasts recognizes the integrated nature of Michigan’s coastal issues,” says Michigan Sea Grant Director Don Scavia. “We think of sustainable coasts as providing economic opportunity and a high quality of life while ensuring the long-term viability of the State’s natural coastal resources.”

Michigan Sea Grant will focus research, outreach, and education programs on those critical drivers of change that influence the region’s ability to achieve sustainable coasts. The strategic issues and related goals follow:

• Aquatic Invasive Species: Michigan Sea Grant will support research, outreach and education to prevent the introduction of new aquatic invasive species into the Great Lakes, control the spread of established invasive species, and mitigate their ecological and socio-economic impacts.
• Coastal Communities and Economies: Michigan Sea Grant will make significant contributions to research, outreach and education that lead to sustainable coastal economies, communities and ecosystems, including understanding the impacts of natural fluctuations, diversions, and consumptive uses of Great Lakes water.
• Fisheries: Michigan Sea Grant will support research, outreach, and education efforts about the Great Lakes fish ecosystems; contribute information that promotes sustainable fisheries; and support those stakeholders and communities that are fishery dependent.
• Coastal Aquatic Habitat: Michigan Sea Grant research, outreach, and education will contribute to our understanding of the impact of human activity on coastal aquatic habitat and Great Lakes water quality, and assist in the development of policies and programs with the citizens of Michigan and local, state and national management agencies that protect valuable coastal habitat.
• Marine and Aquatic Science Literacy: Michigan Sea Grant will support research, outreach and education that will improve marine and aquatic science literacy on the part of educators and citizens representative of all population sectors.

Within the context of these five strategic issues, Michigan Sea Grant’s strategic plan also addresses developing issues related to water quantity and water quality.

The document reflects input from a range of stakeholders statewide including commercial and recreational fishing communities; K-12 educators; coastal businesses and municipalities; the port community; state, federal and tribal natural resource agencies; and public safety authorities.

Stakeholders provided input via several avenues. Sea Grant staff members conducted a phone survey of key stakeholders in early 2003 as the basis for a facilitated staff retreat. Results were then used in a series of stakeholder forums held in Macomb County, Lansing, Mackinaw City, and Grand Haven.

Marine and Aquatic Science Literacy

In acknowledgement of the National Sea Grant and NOAA emphasis on marine and aquatic science literacy, Michigan Sea Grant has elevated education to program status, a change reflected in the new strategic plan.

Michigan Sea Grant’s educational programming will be co-led by Great Lakes Education Program Director Steve Stewart and Communications Director Elizabeth LaPorte. Brandon Schroeder will contribute to education program objectives through his focus on aquatic science education programs for resource managers and through his contributions to informal educational programs for youth.

“Basically we’re following the recommendation of the 1999 and 2004 Program Assessment Team visits, primarily by building upon the award-winning Great Lakes Education Program (GLEP) and through the development of online curriculum,” said LaPorte.  “This new strategic plan has helped to formalize the goals, objectives and expected outcomes for Michigan Sea Grant education initiatives.” 

Activities planned in the coming years include the following:

• Complete Project FLOW:Fisheries Learning On the Web, a virtual classroom focusing on fisheries and the Great Lakes ecosystem. See: www.miseagrant.umich.edu/flow
• Develop mobile experiential education programs.
• Fully implement Summer Discovery Cruise series.
• Continue to provide non-formal youth experiential education opportunities through existing experiential camps that focus on aquatic science.
• Assist in the development of the education component of the Great Lakes Observing System.
• Contingent upon available funds, Michigan Sea Grant will support at least one research proposal that directly contributes to the accomplishment of the Marine and Aquatic Science Literacy research objectives.

Results of Michigan Sea Grant’s renewed commitment to marine and aquatic science literacy will be additional teacher professional development opportunities; additional aquatic science content in a variety of formats including online and in print; and a greater appreciation for our marine and aquatic resources. An enhanced sense of personal stewardship that comes with an informed and involved populace will benefit those who will address future marine and aquatic challenges.

The final document also reflects national priorities identified by National Sea Grant and its parent organization, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

For more information contact Don Scavia at scavia@umich.edu or (734) 763-1437.