Elliot Nelson
Role
Elliot Nelson is an Extension educator with Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension. Elliot’s work focuses on promoting coastal economies and protecting Great Lakes ecosystems in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan and across the state. His topic areas include aquaculture workforce development, aquaculture and seafood consumer education, coastal tourism development, birding education programs, 4-H partnerships, and tribal partnerships. Elliot is based at the Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research and Education (LSSU-CFRE) in Sault Ste Marie, MI, where he regularly works alongside LSSU-CFRE staff and partners.
Specialties
- Great Lakes Literacy
- Place-based education
- Seafood consumer education
- K-12 aquaculture
- Birding
- Coastal tourism
Education
- M.S. in Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan
- B.S. in Biology, Michigan State University
Professional experience
- Research Assistant, UM Water Center. Helped create the Michigan Water Collaboration Network.
- Program Coordinator, North Huron Birding Trail. Designed trail development plan and interpretive information and coordinated with local partners on completion of trail.
- Science Teacher, Grand River Preparatory High School. Taught 9-12 grade Biology and Environmental Science classes.
- Mentor Teacher, Third 90 Network. Performed environmental science research in Southwest MI with urban high school students and college professors.
- Founding Environmental Educator, Cedar Campus Environmental Stewardship and Tourism Program. Created a now-longstanding program to promote environmental education, ecotourism, and stewardship on a 500-acre camp along the northern shoreline of Lake Huron.
Elliot Nelson
Extension Educator, Eastern Upper Peninsula
Lake Superior State University
100 Salmon Run Way
Office 201D
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Read about Elliot’s work in his article series.