About Michigan Sea Grant
The Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, along with their connecting channels — form the largest surface fresh water system on earth. Michigan sits at the heart of that system, surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are not just a “local issue.” They house about one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water and nine-tenths of the U.S.’s fresh surface water. Michigan alone boasts more than 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 11,000 inland lakes and 36,000 miles of rivers.
Environmental stewardship, sustainable economic development, and responsible use of the Great Lakes are crucial components of keeping the lakes and the region vibrant. Through research, education, and outreach, Michigan Sea Grant is dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of the Great Lakes and coastal resources.