Dean's Letter
SEAS Dean Jonathan Overpeck traveled to Iceland where he experienced renewed hope that our planet will thrive for generations to come—despite climate change and the other pressing environmental issues we are facing.
SEAS Yearbook
Peruse photo highlights from two SEAS events: commencement and orientation at the U-M Biological Station.
Cover Stories
Northern Michigan. There’s nothing more beautiful than a Lake Michigan sunset that ushers in a starry night. Or the vibrant red and orange hues of fall foliage as far as the eye can see. Whether you love lazy, sunny days at the lake, hiking the dune trails or snowshoeing in a wintry wonderland, we all can agree that protecting our incredible natural resources in Northern Michigan is imperative—now and for generations to come. Here at SEAS, we are focused on research, education, engagement and impact in Northern Michigan, with the goal of preserving this place we so dearly love. From the fish that live in our lakes and rivers to the giant towering trees in our forests, from solar gardens and agriculture to coastal shorelines, we are focused on tackling the climate crisis across every aspect of life and protecting the ecosystem services we rely on for a thriving economy, countless jobs and a healthy quality of life. You can read about some of our Northern Michigan work in this issue’s cover story, “Northern Michigan: The Beauty of Resilience.” We are united in our love for “Pure Michigan” and the Great Lakes, and we are poised to meet the future with strength and resilience.
Freshwater is 'the Root’ That Connects This Area
The Obtawaing Biosphere Region is an area spanning Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula and eastern Upper Peninsula. SEAS master’s students spent their summer learning about the importance of water and hydrology in the region.
Protecting the Diversity of Fish in the Great Lakes
A summer course held at the U-M Biological Station gives students the hands-on opportunity to study fish in their natural habitats and learn about environmental stressors.
FishPass Project Draws Inspiration From Single-Stream Recycling
A unique approach to selective fish sorting is being developed in Traverse City, Michigan—and its inspiration comes from single-stream recycling.
Studying Trees for Clues About Climate Change
SEAS master’s students got a close-up view of trees as part of a tree census they conducted for SEAS Professor Inés Ibáñez, whose research focuses on the challenges facing plant communities, including climate change and landscape fragmentation.
Pairing Solar Development With Innovative Land Management
SEAS Assistant Research Scientist Brendan O’Neill says the time is right for solar developers to find innovative uses for their land that will optimize sustainability.
The Forever Business: Conservation Leader Glen Chown
As the executive director of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC), Glen Chown (BS ’83, MS ’86) is “fired up” about his work protecting the land along Michigan’s coast.
Carlson’s Fishery: Leaving its Mark on the Local Economy and Michigan’s Waters
Nels Carlson (MS ’05) is using lessons from his student research days to enhance the work he does as the fifth-generation owner of Carlson’s Fishery, a popular tourist draw in historic Fishtown on the Leland River.
Feature Stories
Fostering Human-Tiger Coexistence in Nepal
SEAS PhD student Amy Zuckerwise monitors tiger movement in Nepal using GPS technology. Her research focuses on the impact of road development on tiger populations, which have tripled since 2009 thanks to conservation efforts.
Developing Water Policy Solutions that Ensure a Just and Resilient Future
Through her Water and Climate Policy Lab, SEAS Associate Professor Sara Hughes is studying water policy issues that are important for the Great Lakes region: stormwater flooding and drinking water access and affordability.
Nurturing Environmental Justice Activists
Bunyan Bryant Jr., a professor emeritus at SEAS and a pioneer in the environmental justice movement, shares an excerpt from his memoir, “Educator and Activist: My Life and Times in the Quest for Environmental Justice.”
Seen on SEASnet
Summer Discussion Series
Students and alumni share their favorite books, memorable SEAS experiences and how they promote sustainability.
SEAS Travel Photo Contest
Photos from places near and far were submitted by the SEAS community in the annual travel photo contest on SEASnet.
Dana Sphere
10 Questions: Associate Professor Bilal Butt
Bilal Butt’s research aims to answer questions about how people and wildlife are adapting to changing climates, politics, livelihoods and ecologies in sub-Saharan Africa.
SEAS Releases First National Framework Designed to Measure and Advance Energy Equity
To bolster a just transition to cleaner, more resilient energy systems, SEAS’ Energy Equity Project released the first standardized national framework for comprehensively measuring and advancing energy equity.
Research Highlights
Learn more about recent SEAS research, including studies about automation and long-haul trucking, urban agriculture and renewable energy jobs.
Faculty Accolades
From government appointments and promotions to awards and fellowships, SEAS faculty are making an impact beyond the Dana Building.
Program in the Environment Celebrates 20 Years
The Program in the Environment, which started as a relatively small undergraduate program, has flourished over the past 20 years.
Alumni Updates
A Man of Energy
Oluwafemi (Femi) Sawyerr (’15) is an energy analyst who brings a different form of energy to the stage—as a semi-professional dancer.
Supporting Actionable Energy Solutions
Akshat Kasliwal (MS ’19) has devoted his career in energy and sustainability toward the implementation of triple-bottom-line solutions on larger and more systemic scales. He advises power-sector stakeholders on infrastructure investments and strategy at PA Consulting.
Environmentally Safe Pest Control
Esther Salata (MS ’15) used the pandemic to develop a plant-based pest control spray that is safe for people, pets and the environment.
A Champion for Justice
Karen DeGannes’ (MS ’91, PhD ’13) environmental justice interests were nurtured at SEAS, leading to an “amazing career” in which she’s been a lifelong champion of justice.
Righting Wrongs in Society
Jada Koushik’s (MS ’08) research focuses on anti-racism and oppression, which is “helping to right wrongs in society.”
Mobility and Transportation Design
As a principal landscape architect at SmithGroup’s Ann Arbor office, Oliver Kiley (BS ’03, MLA ’08) focuses on mobility and transportation design.
Leading Sustainability-Focused Education
Jean MacGregor (BS ’67, MS ’71), who has championed sustainability-focused education throughout her career, is passionate about the “importance of ongoing communities tackling the huge adaptive challenges that sustainability presents.”
A Lifelong Passion for Trees
Lauren Marshall’s (MLA ’10) passion for trees runs deep, having grown over the course of a lifetime. She is now putting that passion to use in the nonprofit sector at the Arbor Day Foundation, where she is senior manager of program innovation.
Download past editions of SEAS Stewards Magazine