Michigan research boat gets new Great Lakes mission with invasive species grant
Alpena, MI – A retired, 50-foot state research vessel will sail into a new mission as an educational tool in Alpena, where future visitors can learn about aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and effects on fisheries.
Michigan officials this week announced $3.6 million in grants to dozens of organizations across the state for programs to limit the spread of invasive species already here, prevent new ones from establishing, and strengthen the state’s detection should that happen, along with awareness projects.
More than 30 projects received funding in this year’s grant cycle and when combined with $541,500 in local matching dollars, will result in more than $4.1 million in efforts to combat invasive species in 2022.
Officials said the second-largest grant went to a unique proposal unlike any before: a nonprofit art, science, and history museum in Alpena received a $386,500 grant to transform the retired R/V Chinook – an old state fishery research ship – into an interactive science and history classroom.
Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan offers rotating art exhibits, historical displays, science demonstrations, a planetarium, and exhibits about the wildlife and fish of the region. Its next big project is called the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Exhibit and the old research ship will become a centerpiece of the permanent installation.
Grant money will pay for a new museum building to be built around the Chinook, which was previously donated to the museum and craned into position and settled onto boat cradles at the facility in Alpena in 2020.
The new, two-building exhibit will feature two major boat displays, both the Chinook and the historic wooden fishing tugboat the Katherine V. Visitors will be able to walk around and closely inspect the boats, plus learn about the history of fighting invasive species in Lake Huron.
“It will be an immersive, interactive exhibit that is really going to educate on what individuals, what visitors can do to help combat invasive species,” said Christine Witulski, the museum’s executive director.
The Chinook was a state commercial fishing enforcement boat from 1947 to 1968, when it was converted into an Alpena-based research vessel to monitor invasive species and related impacts on the fishery, such as invasive sea lamprey’s harm to the lake trout population.
“It’s going to be serving as a public platform to educate and bring awareness of invasive species and what can be done to keep our Great Lakes healthy.”
Building construction is expected to begin this summer, followed by the creation and installation of educational displays. The building around the Katherine V is already completed, but educational and interpretive exhibits will be completed through the new state grant.
Read more at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/03/michigan-research-boat-gets-new-great-lakes-mission-with-invasive-species-grant.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=aanews_sf&fbclid=IwAR3bGXz1wxwrJ3YjOCAvlKPp5KpUyTIr00WfDLo933Jwy2wLHlt6UBQHs_c
Virtual Program: Winter at the Soo Locks: There is No Down Time
Event by Lake Superior Marine Museum Association, Soo Locks Visitors Center Association and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, Thursday, March 3, 12:30 p.m.
The ships may stop moving, but that doesn’t mean it’s quiet at the Soo Locks. During the 10-week pause in shipping, the facility is a hive of activity with all hands on deck, tackling critical maintenance projects on one of America’s busiest navigation locks. Chief Park Ranger Michelle Briggs will take the audience behind the scenes to learn more about the work of these crews in brutal winter weather to ensure the locks continue to operate at peak efficiency and open in time for the annual start of the navigation season on March 25.
Join the program here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=263890149255470&set=gm.341009707952914
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