For Anna Davies (MS ’25), water was the heart of her summer in northern Michigan.

But it wasn’t all swimming and stunning beach sunsets, though there was that too.

Based at the University of Michigan Biological Station nestled along the shores of Douglas Lake, the master's student in the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) looked beneath the surface of the beauty of the region’s rivers, lakes and streams to help protect freshwater ecosystems.

Living the legacy started by UMBS students half a century ago, Davies used her time in May, June and July at the research and teaching campus to mix aquatic research, advocacy and public outreach.

As the 2024 CLEAR Fellow, Davies lived and took a class at UMBS, while simultaneously interning with the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, an environmental nonprofit based in Petoskey.

The fellowship provides tuition support, room, board, research fees and supplies at UMBS to students doing applied aquatic research along with public outreach and education — directly involving students in the community.

“It’s my favorite job ever,” Davies said.

Founded in 1909, the U-M Biological Station is one of the nation’s largest and longest continuously operating field research stations. For 116 years, students, faculty and researchers from around the globe have studied and monitored the impact of environmental changes on northern Michigan ecosystems.

Laboratories, classrooms and cabins are tucked into more than 11,000 acres along Douglas Lake to support long-term science research and education.

Read the full story on the U-M Biological Station website.