GLFT Grant Library

Experiments to test the hypothesis that the abundance of Asian carp eDNA in a water body reliably indicates the abundance of Asian carp. Development of a statistical calibration model relating eDNA abundance to Asian carp abundance. Application of the model to previous eDNA data for Asian carp to estimate 2009-2010 abundance in the upper reaches of the Chicago Area Waterway System.

A 3-day regional conference in Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Midland, each involving 40-50 students and focusing on Great Lakes Water resources. Students will examine water use from various perspectives and identify policies and programs that protect water resources. Forty of these students will be selected to attend a 4-day Youth Policy Summit, where they will interact with experts, learn about conflict resolution, and develop consensus-based recommendations for policies and projects.

This grant provided support and expertise to organizations in Michigan to assist with the development of Michigan's Environmental Literacy Plan.

Project addressed threats to the health of the Great Lakes, including Asian carp and other aquatic invasive species from the Mississippi River watershed via the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). The project team worked with stakeholders to develop separation alternatives that stop the open flow of water between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River watershed via the CAWS and maintain or enhance the system’s benefits through investments in flood management, water quality, and transportation.

Traverse City, in partnership with Grant Traverse County and other community stakeholders, received grant funding to remove the Brown Bridge Dam on the Boardman River in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula.

Pier Michigan is a collaborative project between MUCC and the GLFT to create a web-based initiative designed to increase public awareness and use of pier fishing opportunities. Shore-based fishing access in Michigan is plentiful, but until now, no clearinghouse has been available with all the information an angler needs to be successful, including fish species present and site amenities.  Through Pier Michigan, the Great Lakes Fishery Trust will continue to increase the impact it has on recreational fishing in Michigan by exposing an increasing number of people to the recreational opportunities provided by our Great Lakes fishery assets.

Construction of fish passages are rapidly becoming the dominant initiatives associated with Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem restoration. Assessment of the success and impacts of these activities on fish is, however, lacking. The project was designed to 1) evaluate the success of a recently built (Shiawassee River) and a pending (Cass River) rock ramp fish passage, 2) prioritize regional rivers for future restoration activities, and (3) quantify changes in the river habitat and fish assemblage composition.

This project improved Great Lakes health by setting up a small grants program in order to implement restoration strategies with the help of local organizations.

A lack of standardized methods to detect the salmonid pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs) makes comparison of data among Great Lakes (GL) agencies difficult. Laboratory validation of Rs detection methods was recently completed, but field validation studies are needed to assess performance of laboratory-validated (LV) methods among different GL laboratories. The project has two main objectives: 1) training of GL laboratories with LV Rs detection methods and 2) inter-laboratory comparisons of LV Rs detection methods

To test hypotheses, researchers (1) collected water samples from river plumes and adjacent nonplume areas in southeastern Lake Michigan to compare their physical, chemical, and biotic conditions; (2) estimated the movement of larval fish from tributaries into Lake Michigan; (3) compared the densities, diets, and growth rates of the three species in different areas; and (4) evaluated the extent to which later-stage fish used tributaries and river plumes as early life habitats.

This study identified flavobacteria associated with fish mortality events and determined the potential routes they use to reach fish propagated in hatcheries. Surprisingly, multiple novel flavobacteria were isolated that were never described before, while others were similar to those reported from remote geographic areas (e.g., Antarctica).Evidence suggests that a few of these novel flavobacteria are vertically transmitted, a matter that requires proper management within hatcheries.Data produced from this GLFT-funded study provides the means to decrease flavobacterial transmission by selecting effective chemotherapeutants and biosecurity practices.

The Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources (IJNR) offered a "refresher training" program, that expanded the issue-based knowledge of experienced journalists about major ecological and natural resource challenges facing Lake Michigan and the four other Great Lakes.

GLLA prepares diverse groups of leaders to become active, effective stewards of Michigan's natural resources and advocates for strategies that support sustainability.

This project funded the engineering of a biocide treatment system developed specifically for Great Lakes shipping needs on a specific ship with the largest pumping capacities in a timely manner to inform the USCG rulemaking process.

Explore the Shores is the implementation of a vital component of Manistee County's visioning process: providing more recreational access to the Great Lakes fishery for people of all ages and abilities. The project was built on four themes: 1) water stewardship; 2) the life cycles of native and non-native migratory fish species; 3) "teach a person to fish;" and 4) the importance of universal access to citizens’ quality of life and economic well-being.

Explore the Shores is the implementation of a vital component of Manistee County's visioning process--providing increased recreational access to the Great Lakes fishery for people of all ages and abilities. The project was built on four themes: 1) water stewardship; 2) the life cycles of native and non-native migratory fish species; 3) "teach a person to fish;" and 4) the importance of universal access to our quality of life and economic well-being.

LSSU’s Aquatic Research Lab (ARL) has experienced tremendous growth in fisheries research and education over the past decade. However, the facility can no longer meet current demands. This proposal seeks funding to help enhance the ARL’s facilities to address demands for timely fish disease information and fisheries research in the upper Great Lakes. The requested funding is part of a larger project to expand classroom space, outreach, and enhance rearing and analytical testing facilities.

This Implementation Plan describes the proposed activities for the new Grand Traverse Regional Hub for Place-Based Education as part of the Great Lakes Fishery Trust's Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative. The Implementation Plan incorporates the needs and capacities of a variety of academic and community partners in the region that are eager to incorporate sustained professional development for teachers, school-community partnerships and place-based education into their work…with an ultimate goal of Great Lakes stewardsh

The Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC) is requesting financial support to construct a fishing access facility at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Gateway. Construction documents for this facility were developed through funds awarded by the GLFT in 2008. This proposal seeks funding for the remaining two phases of this project: construction of the fishing access facility and design / construction of a restroom facility adjacent to the new fishing facility.

Explore the Shores is the implementation of a vital component of Manistee County's visioning process: providing increased recreational access to the Great Lakes fishery for people of all ages and abilities. The project is built on four themes: 1) water stewardship; 2) the life cycles of native and non-native migratory fish species; 3) "teach a person to fish;" and 4) the importance of universal access to our quality of life and economic well-being.

This project developed a plan to expand an environmental news service operated by the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State University. Through this effort, the project team  developed and evaluated strategies to garner greater support from Great Lakes funders, and enhance partnerships with news organizations to distribute content. The project team also examined  funding models and structures of other nonprofit news services.

MUCC’s Institute for Conservation Education (ICE) increased awareness and understanding of the biological, economic, and social science supporting natural resources management decisions to ultimately motivate citizens of all ages to move from education to active and dedicated stewardship of Michigan’s natural resources.

The Flint Area Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative helped students learn about local community issues. Place-based education was used as the tool to help teachers and students feel more empowered to enact local changes.

This project increased environmental stewardship within the Grand River Watershed in Kent County through education in school settings and community-school partnerships. It worked with community organizations to create a systemic and comprehensive “hub” aimed at promoting and addressing community engagement to further develop environmental stewardship in Kent County.