Great Lakes research is center stage
Congressman and Michigan DNR director to address CMU’s sixth annual Great Lakes Science in Action Symposium
Two Great Lakes influencers will speak at Central Michigan University's sixth annual Great Lakes Science in Action Symposium on Friday, Oct. 11.
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, is keynote speaker. He is a member of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services and co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, a bipartisan group that works to enhance the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes.
Guest speaker is Daniel Eichinger, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Previously, he was executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs, where he is credited with advocating for policies to protect the Great Lakes from invasive species and working on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
The symposium takes place from 9 a.m. to noon in the auditorium of CMU's Biosciences Building, beginning with an introduction from CMU President Bob Davies. The event is free and open to the public.
A question-and-answer session will follow each speaker.
The event also will host a panel discussion among CMU's Great Lakes researchers, covering the topics of mussels and their importance to Michigan rivers, the Great Lakes coastal wetland monitoring program, and water quality changes in the lakes.
A prescreening of WCMU Public Media's new documentary, "Linking Land and Lakes," will follow.
Leader on the lakes
CMU is a recognized leader in studying the Great Lakes. The Institute for Great Lakes Research — with 31 faculty members among five different departments — is supported by state-of-the-art facilities in Mount Pleasant and at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver Island.
Central is overseeing its second $10 million EPA grant since 2010 to conduct Great Lakes wetlands research and allocates funds through this grant to 10 other universities, four governmental agencies and one private partner.
An interactive map features highlights of this summer's Great Lakes research projects conducted by CMU faculty, students and other research partners.
Members of the media who plan to attend the symposium are asked to contact University Communications at news@cmich.edu or 989-774-3197.