ANN ARBOR—Michigan Sea Grant focuses on the Saginaw-Bay Watershed and the Detroit River in a feature story, “Making the Most of Michigan’s Urban Coastline,” in its current issue of Upwellings magazine. Michigan Sea Grant is a joint program of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.

Michigan’s coastal communities face unique land-use challenges. Many rural communities are experiencing unprecedented growth and development pressures along prime Great Lakes shoreline. At the same time, urban communities are confronting a different but related set of challenges.

In older coastal cities such as Detroit and Bay City, community leaders are working to revitalize urban waterfronts in order to attract business, retain population and enhance quality of life. As we enter the 21st century, these urban coastal communities in Michigan are recognizing the close ties between a healthy ecosystem and a vital economy.

Michigan Sea Grant promotes greater knowledge and stewardship of the Great Lakes through research and education. It is funded in part by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Michigan Sea Grant currently funds research projects and numerous outreach activities related to such topics as sustainable coastal development, fisheries, coastal wetlands, Great Lakes education, Great Lakes ecosystem dynamics, exotic species and marine engineering.

For more information and to obtain Upwellings, contact Elizabeth LaPorte, communications manager at the Michigan Sea Grant College Program, (734) 764-1118.

Michigan Sea GrantNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationElizabeth LaPorte