SVSU Makes Major Commitment to Study and Improve Saginaw Bay
January 23, 2013
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The Saginaw Bay Environmental Science Institute will be located on SVSU's campus.
Saginaw Valley State University is making an institutional commitment to increased study of the Saginaw Bay watershed and will establish its Saginaw Bay Environmental Science Institute in 2013.
"The health of Saginaw Bay and its surroundings is important to all of us who live in the Great Lakes Bay Region, "said Deborah Huntley, dean of SVSU's College of Science, Engineering and Technology. "This institute will serve as an important asset to SVSU and the region we serve. It will provide important interdisciplinary learning and research opportunities for our students and faculty, and will allow for further scientific study of this invaluable natural resource."
The institute will build upon SVSU's existing freshwater research activities, including partnerships with the Bay County Health Department to monitor water quality near public beaches, and the Kawkawlin River Property Owners Association to study the health of the river and associated wildlife.
In March 2012, SVSU's work on Saginaw Bay - in collaboration with Delta College and others - was hailed as a national model at the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement Symposium and Capitol Hill Poster Session in Washington, D.C. SVSU faculty also have studied zebra mussels and other invasive species across the Great Lakes and led clean up endeavors along the Saginaw Bay shoreline. Dozens of students are involved in these associated research projects.
"In recent years, we have been very active in working with community partners to combine resources and increase our understanding of the Saginaw Bay watershed and its ecosystem," said David Karpovich, H.H. Dow Endowed Chair in Chemistry at SVSU. "This initiative will expand on these efforts to improve water quality and provide our students with exceptional hands-on research experience."
The Saginaw Bay Environmental Science Institute will be located on SVSU's campus and will consolidate these related activities. It will initially include faculty from biology, chemistry and geography, and could expand to include other disciplines. Karpovich will serve as director of the institute at its outset.
SVSU will invest at least $100,000 in start-up funds to purchase a boat suitable for research purposes, water sampling devices, and various laboratory equipment. To sustain the institute, SVSU has budgeted approximately $80,000 annually for supplies, mini-grants, travel, K-12 outreach and an annual symposium.
SVSU will pursue external funding, as well. In August 2012, the State of Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality awarded SVSU a $26,185 grant to continue research on the Kawkawlin River.
Beyond SVSU oversight, the Institute will have an external advisory committee comprised of professionals and scientists from the region.
SVSU expects to hold a dedication ceremony this spring and anticipates the maiden voyage of its research vessel to occur in early summer. In addition to scientific activity, the institute also will serve as a centralized source of information to improve communication between researchers and regional stakeholders through a web site, printed materials, and regular workshops.
Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university that offers 90 programs of study for more than 10,000 students on its suburban campus in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region. SVSU is committed to quality teaching in the classroom, field-based learning experiences, NCAA Division II athletics and a range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students to excel.
To watch a video of SVSU's work on the Kawkawlin River, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QaHxt9I1v0.
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