Mark Breederland

Role

Mark Breederland works with coastal communities and businesses in northwest Michigan to apply science-based knowledge to address Great Lakes issues. His district includes Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie and Manistee counties.

Mark’s focus areas include sustainable coastal development, brownfield and coastal land redevelopment, the Michigan Clean Marina Program, Great Lakes observing systems, and coastal wetlands.

Specialties
  • Coastal resiliency
  • Great Lakes levels
  • Coastal erosion
  • Working waterfronts
  • Harbors and marinas
  • Clean marinas
  • Recreational boating
Education
  • M.S., Miami University, 1987
  • B.S., Taylor University, 1984
Professional experience
  • Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator for Southeast Michigan (1995-2003) and Northwest Michigan (2004 – current).
  • Chair, Greater Detroit American Heritage River Initiative (1997-2003). Accomplishments include leveraging more than $13 million in projects, including diverse programs such as creating lake sturgeon spawning habitat, developing riverfront greenways, demonstrating soft engineering for shoreline treatment, and assisting in coastal brownfield redevelopment.
  • Served with the International Joint Commission’s Great Lakes Regional Office in Windsor, Ontario, from 1992-95. Worked with local water resources advisory groups across both U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes coasts.
  • Water resources specialist and environmental programs director for the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments in Traverse City, 1986-92.
Mark Breederland

Mark Breederland

Extension Educator, Northwest District

(231) 922-4628 (office)
(231) 590-0413 (cell)
breederl@msu.edu 

Michigan Sea Grant Extension
520 West Front Street, Suite A
Traverse City, MI 49684-2208

Read about Mark’s work in his article series.

Mark has worked for nearly 30 years to help urban and rural communities face challenges ranging from dangerous currents to sand-filled harbors. Read more to learn Mark’s unique perspective on issues facing Michigan’s coastal communities. 

This interview is part of a series of articles honoring Michigan Sea Grant Extension educators during the 2016 National Sea Grant College Program’s 50th anniversary celebration.