MSU Extension Chooses Sea Grant Educator for Southwestern Michigan Dan O'Keefe, PhD., has accepted the position of District Sea Grant Extension Educator for southwestern Michigan. He will serve the Lake Michigan shoreline counties of Cass, VanBuren, Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana and Mason. A native of Southfield, Michigan, O’Keefe received his B.S. degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University, his master’s degree in Biology from Central Michigan University, and his PhD. in Wildlife and Fisheries from Mississippi State University. O’Keefe’s recent post doctoral position at Mississippi State University involved assessing the impact of Hurricane Katrina on coastal river fisheries and developing management plans that maximize human benefits. He also worked with management agencies and land owners to reintroduce paddlefish to portions of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in Mississippi. In Michigan, he worked with threatened river redhorse suckers on the Grand River and gobies in Lake St. Clair. He also worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Information and Education division, where he developed and staffed a traveling aquarium display that educated the public about fishery opportunities and management issues. “Growing up in Michigan, I spent countless hours fishing for muskies and bass in Lake St. Clair, salmon in Lake Huron, and steelhead in Lake Michigan tributaries," says O'Keefe. "Returning here to work for Michigan Sea Grant with issues facing Great Lakes fisheries will allow me to help anglers and others who depend on the lakes to adapt to rapidly changing conditions caused by invasive species and other factors. I’m also looking forward to sharing my knowledge of Lake Michigan with people who have not had the opportunity to interact with this fascinating and beautiful ecosystem.” O’Keefe may be contacted at the Ottawa County MSU Extension office, (616) 846-8250. |