The endeavor has been made possible thanks to $7.5 million in capital outlay funding being approved by Governor Whitmer.
Saginaw Valley State University has announced that it will be creating the first university environmental research station on Lake Huron. The research station is expected to be beneficial for Saginaw Valley State University students as well as local elementary, middle, and high school students who will be able to utilize the station for their own studies.
According to an article on Saginaw Valley State University’s website, George Grant Jr, who is the president of the university, was quoted expressing his excitement to receive the funding, saying, “We are thrilled to construct the first university environmental research facility on Lake Huron and to build upon our relationships in the region that are contributing to improved public health and a better ecological understanding of our Saginaw Bay watershed. This facility will provide a standout learning laboratory for our students and faculty, and our partner agencies throughout the community. I would like to thank our regional legislative delegation for seeing the value of this project and supporting it through the capital outlay process.”
Saginaw Valley State University has been partnering with different organizations for several years, taking on projects such as water testing and studying watersheds. Among the organizations SVSU works with are The Nature Conservancy, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, the Bay County Health Department, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet, Joint Capital Outlay Chair, commented on the funding approval, saying, “When one of our state universities has the chance to attract top scientists, expand research capabilities, and benefit students at all levels, it’s smart to make that investment. Funding approved for this new facility will help make SVSU a leader in environmental science and studies, spurring important collaborations, hands-on educational programs, and greater interest in the freshwater ecosystems that are so important to our local economy.”
Dave Karpovich, who serves as the H.H. Dow Endowed Professor of Chemistry and director of the Saginaw Bay Environmental Science Institute, is looking forward to the opportunities this project will present: “The enhanced access to Saginaw Bay will enable us to drastically scale up our K-12 outreach through the Dow Science and Sustainability Education Center at SVSU, and the improved experiential learning opportunities will better prepare our undergraduate students for employment and research positions upon graduation,” said Karpovich.
Construction of the environmental research station is slated to begin in the fall of 2025. For more information about Saginaw Valley State University, visit the school’s website.