The Project
In 1996, the Michigan Coastal Management Program funded the first gathering of 35 Great Lakes island researchers, managers, policymakers, and islanders from the U.S. and Canada. An analysis presented by Susan Crispin of the Nature Conservancy's Great Lakes Program revealed the global significance of these islands. A set of workshop proceedings (large PDF; or see executive summary) were published with the following concensus recommendations:
1. Governments and other institutions should facilitate and support efforts to develop and implement island and archipelago conservation strategies protective of biological integrity.
2. Efforts should be made to create mechanisms to share information and experiences among Great Lakes island and archipelago associations and initiatives. Efforts should also be made to develop and share case studies describing the successes and failures of similar initiatives.
3. Governments and other institutions should facilitate and support efforts to assemble an “inventory of inventories” for the Great Lakes islands.
These recommendations form the basis for the goals and activities of this project.
In the decade since the first gathering, a Great Lakes Islands Collaborative has grown. An Great Lakes island committee was formed as part of the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Team. Work included a strategic action plan and scientific, education, and outreach activities. Finally, in December 2002, over 100 people participating in a workshop hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes National Program Office and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Team. At the end of the two days, participants felt that island conservation was an urgent priority and that grant funds should be sought. A small grant writing team formed on the spot. This led to a successful habitat proposal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes National Program Office creating this project.
**This page will soon detail the purpose, project team members, components, deliverables, and status of the project. Please check back the end of August 2006.