The Michigan Sea Grant record group consists of 21 linear feet of material, which span the years from 1969 to 2005. The record group includes administrative material, budget and project proposals, and research project files which document the program's efforts to conduct research and educate the public on issues related to the use of the Great Lakes. The records have been divided into five series: Administrative Files, Proposals and Omnibus Proposals, Research Project Files, Research Materials and Visual and Audio Materials.
Michigan Sea Grant is one of 30 Sea Grant programs established across the United States to promote the understanding and intelligent use of the Great Lakes and oceans. Originally established in 1969 at the University of Michigan, Michigan Sea Grant began a partnership with Michigan State University in 1972. Michigan Sea Grant addresses Great Lakes issues that directly affect the state's ecosystem health and economic sustainability in an effort to assist Michigan citizens in protecting and enjoying Michigan's freshwater resources.
Michigan Sea Grant provides a range of research and educational programs. The Michigan Sea Grant Strategic Plan mentions a number of program priorities, including the following:
- Anticipating Great Lakes trophic change and preparing resource managers with research-based information that will make them effective decision-makers and stewards of Great Lakes fisheries.
- Limiting the introduction of new aquatic nuisance species and controlling the spread and reducing the impact of current aquatic nuisance species.
- Providing leadership to help communities understand impacts of coastal development and lead efforts that link coastal ecosystem health to sustainable communities.
- Promoting coastal wetland health through education, monitoring, and resource sustainability programs.
- Creating Great Lakes literacy among Michigan residents, youth, and decision-makers to support stewardship of Great Lakes resources.
These priorities are implemented in various ways, through outreach and education programs, competitive funding for research, and advocacy.
Michigan Sea Grant sponsors a competitive funding program open to researchers at Michigan universities and colleges, which supports investigation of Great Lakes aquatic resources. Researchers employ biological, engineering, and social disciplines to address Great Lakes problems such as maintaining healthy fisheries, alleviating the impacts of coastal erosion, and developing safe and ecologically sound marine engineering technologies.
The program also employs extension agents, who are located in coastal communities around the state. The agents act as liaisons between coastal resource users and the academic research community. They attempt to educate and provide technical assistance to residents, businesses, resource management agencies, and coastal communities on managing Great Lakes resources, creating sustainable coastal businesses, and understanding Great Lakes ecosystems.
Michigan Sea Grant Communications supports the program's outreach and education efforts by providing information and resources about the Great Lakes to decision makers, resource interest groups, educators, and Michigan residents. The department uses media contact, newsletters, and other publications, in order to help Michigan residents understand and participate in Great Lakes issues and programs.
Michigan Sea Grant is managed by a Director and Assistant Director, located at the University of Michigan, and an Associate Director and Extension Program Leader, located at Michigan State University, who guide and coordinate the program's research and outreach activities. In addition to this management structure, a Policy Committee advises the Management Team on policy and program direction and the Michigan State University Extension Service provides administrative supervision of Sea Grant Extension agents.
Michigan Sea Grant is funded through the National Sea Grant College Program, a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in the U.S. Department of Commerce. Federal funds are supplemented with funds from state, tribal, business, and other non-federal sources to carry out programs on a local, state, regional and national level.
The Michigan Sea Grant program maintains an extensive website which includes information on research, publications, and educational opportunities as well as a collection of news articles and a graphics library. The website is available at http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/
