Fishtown Receives NOAA Preserve America Initiative Grant

An important slice of Michigan’s fishing heritage will be preserved, thanks in part to a $9,000 grant awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to the Fishtown Preservation Society of Leland, Michigan in collaboration with Michigan Sea Grant.

The project, “Catching the Fishing History of Lake Michigan, 1871-2006,” was one of eight projects selected nationwide to receive support through the NOAA Preserve America Initiative Grant Program, which is part of a White House initiative aimed at preserving, protecting and promoting the nation’s
rich heritage.

“This project will be a real momentum-builder for the Fishtown Preservation Society, and we’re thrilled that we’ll have this opportunity to enhance our knowledge and understanding of this heritage fishery while working with great collaborative partners,” said Amanda Holmes, Administrative Director for the Fishtown Preservation Society.

“Our non-profit only secured Fishtown in February 2007, and we look forward to projects like this one that can help us as we move into phase three of fundraising, completing the purchase and ensuring a long-term sustainable heritage tourism future for Fishtown.”

Michigan Sea Grant is collaborating with the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service and lead investigator Peter Fricke. Michigan Sea Grant will assist with project facilitation both in northwest Michigan and with statewide communications products.

“This is a wonderful way to impact many people to more fully understand the history of fisheries in Lake Michigan’s freshwater sea, assist with coastal heritage tourism in Leelanau County, Michigan, and help tell the story of 200 years of science for NOAA,” said Mark Breederland, Michigan Sea Grant extension educator for northwest Michigan.

Through his Preserve America executive order (E.O. 13287), President Bush has called on NOAA and other federal agencies to step up efforts to:

• Inventory, preserve, and showcase federally-managed historic and cultural, or “heritage,” resources; and
• Foster tourism in partnership with local communities.

The Fishtown Preservation Society is a not-for-profit organization made up of dedicated community volunteers who have come together to save the unique and historic Fishtown site and heritage fishery in Leland, Michigan.

See: Fishtown website

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