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Understanding Nonpoint Source Pollution and Public Perceptions: A Study of the Black Lake Watershed

Black Lake, Michigan
Project Description

As water quality concerns continued to grow within the Black Lake Watershed over the past several years, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council (TOMWC), based in Petoskey, Michigan, and members of the two Black Lake associations started to advocate for a watershed management plan. The primary purpose of a watershed management plan is to guide watershed coordinators, resource managers, policy makers, and community organizations to restore and protect the quality of lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands by providing specific recommendations. A significant component of the watershed management planning process is conducting resource inventories that assess many different types of nonpoint source pollution and surveying the watershed residents to understand the perspectives of major stakeholders. Considering this need for insightful data and recommendations for how to manage, mitigate, and effectively adapt to these water quality issues, TOMWC collaborated with the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). Four SEAS graduate students gathered and analyzed data from watershed inventories and social indicator surveys and provided concrete recommendations which will directly inform the content and direction of the anticipated Black Lake Watershed management plan and guide actions and protocols of TOMWC.

Year
2024
Project Status
Past Project
Client Organization
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Students Involved

Dana Pflughoeft [Behavior, Education, and Communications], Andrea Behrmann [Ecosystem Science and Management], Maria Di Cresce [Ecosystem Science and Management], and Bailey Greene [Sustainable Systems] 

SEAS Faculty Advisor
Mike Shriberg
Final Report
Black Lake Watershed Final Report

Meet the Team Members

Picture of Dana Pflughoeft in front of bright flowers.
Dana Pflughoeft
Graduate Student Research Consultant
she/her/hers
[email protected]

Dana Pflughoeft recently graduated from the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability with a specialization in Environmental Behavior, Education, and Communications. Throughout graduate school, Dana focused on science communications and increasing access to conserved spaces. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Originally from Traverse City, Michigan, Dana feels drawn to water conservation, public lands, shorelines, and trails. 

Image of Andrea Behrmann
Andrea Behrmann
Graduate Student Research Consultant
she/her/hers
[email protected]

Andrea Behrmann is a 2024 University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) graduate with a specialization in Ecosystem Science and Management. Throughout graduate school, Andrea focused on learning different data analytic tools and understanding various ecosystems. She received her BS in Environment with a focus on Marine Ecosystem Management through the university’s Program in The Environment (PiTE) that is a collaborative effort between the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) and SEAS. Born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI, Andrea is passionate about water quality and conservation efforts as well as climate advocacy.

Image of Bailey Greene
Bailey Greene
Graduate Student Research Consultant
she/they
[email protected]

Bailey Greene graduated from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability in 2024 with a master’s of science degree specialized in sustainable systems. She specializes in studying and creating sustainable systems with a focus on measuring and mitigating corporate environmental impacts. Bailey completed their bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Environmental Biology at Michigan State University and has a passion for protecting ecosystem services.

Picture of Maria Di Cresce with a Graduation Cap
Maria Di Cresce
Graduate Student Research Consultant
she/her/hers
[email protected]

Maria Di Cresce is a current SEAS student with a specialization in Ecosystem Science & Management and an anticipated graduation date of May 2025. She graduated with a BS in Environmental Sciences & Sustainability with a minor in Toxicology from Nazareth University. She has a passion for pollution remediation and aquatic ecosystems.

Specializations
Behavior, Education, and Communication
Ecosystem Science and Management
Sustainable Systems

I'M READY TO APPLYI WANT TO LEARN MORE

Photographs from the Field

Maria, Dana, Andrea, and Bailey conducted field research for three weeks during the summer of 2023. Through this experience, the graduate students garnered a greater understanding and appreciation for the watershed (and even got to snorkel in Black Lake)!

The four team members wearing waders.
The Graduate Students gearing up for a field research day
A picture of Black Lake on a cloudy day
Black Lake on a moody afternoon
Three students measuring a road/stream crossing
Andrea, Bailey, and Dana measuring the width of a Road/Stream Crossing
An image looking through a tunnel
A view through a Road/Stream Crossing
A student amidst rich vegetation
Maria examining vegetation and tracking invasive species presence
A student in waders holding a meter stick
Andrea measuring the depth of the Rainy River
A student recording erosion present at a site
Bailey tracking stream bank erosion
A student looking at the water and holding a velocity meter to measure water movement
Dana measuring water velocity with a velocity meter
seas logo
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability
Dana Building
440 Church Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-6453
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