Inland Seas Education Association

Mark your calendars! The ISEA Volunteer Open House is scheduled for March 18th from 4-6 p.m. If you have ever wanted to know more about volunteering with Inland Seas, this is your one-stop shop for every opportunity to get involved. No experience is necessary, just a desire to have a lasting impact on the Great Lakes. Join us on March 18th at our offices in Suttons Bay, 100 Dame St, see you there!

This month, as a part of our Stewardship Corner posts, we are going to be covering microplastics. This is not an issue exclusive to the Great Lakes but one that is important to discuss. So, what is a microplastic? Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5mm in size, roughly the size of an eraser on a pencil. There are several sources for microplastics, with the most prominent being paint and tires. Additionally, there are five primary types of microplastics: fragments, films, foams, fibers, and pellets. Stay tuned this month as we take a deep dive into microplastics!

**ROV Fun Facts!** 1. This month, we discussed a variety of ROVs and their purposes both on land and underwater. One that was not addressed is the ROVs sent to distant planets, which allow us to continue exploring the solar system and the universe. In particular, the Mars Curiosity Rover is still exploring the surface of Mars, collecting valuable data that helps us better understand our planetary neighbor. 2. The POODLE was one of the first ROVs ever developed and successfully deployed. This torpedo-shaped ROV was built in 1953 by Dimitri Rebikoff and was used to capture photos of the seafloor. 3. Our friends at Michigan Technological University have a small fleet of autonomous vehicles that are used to enhance our understanding and protection of the Great Lakes. One of these, the Wave Glider, set a Guinness Record for the longest single mission by an uncrewed ASV.

Meet BeBot! BeBot is an all-electric beach-cleaning ROV. Deployed by The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, this robot plays a key role in cleaning up local beaches and removing plastics and other pollutants that might otherwise end up in our waterways. Though BeBot is just one ROV working in one region, every piece of debris kept from the water is one less that could harm native species' populations or affect water quality.

ROVs allow humans to complete a variety of tasks that would otherwise be difficult, dangerous, or downright impossible. An ROV is a particularly good option for cleaning up pollutants from waterways. Able to skim the surface where floating debris rests, an ROV can collect hundreds of pounds of litter at a time. Another job ROVs have, particularly in the Great Lakes, is shipwreck investigation. These submersible robots are perfect for getting beneath the waves and getting up close and personal with wrecks from long ago. This can be beneficial as it saves researchers time and money, is safer, and potentially less damaging to the wreck than direct human contact could be. Interested in learning about ROVs here in Grand Traverse Bay? Stay tuned for next week's Stewardship Corner post!

Join us for a deep dive as we learn how diverse tree species can help us adapt to a changing climate. Madeline Baroli, a climate adaptation specialist with Salix, ATREP, and NIACS, will share insights and lead conversations on the vital connections between forests and the Great Lakes. When: December 19th, 1-2:30 PM Where: ISEA Office, Suttons Bay Coffee and tea will be provided. RSVP Here: https://lnkd.in/gVEqc_tx

This month for the ISEA Stewardship Corner posts we are going to be discussing remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs. ROVs are unmanned robots used to explore areas or complete tasks that would otherwise be too dangerous or expensive for humans to do. One example of this is exploring the depths of the oceans, which humans can't reach without highly sophisticated and expensive machinery. ISEA participants use ROVs that are slightly less sophisticated than those exploring the bottom of the ocean but still give them hands-on experience with building, testing, and exploring the uses of these incredible machines.

We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who helped us smash our #GivingTuesday goal, raising $1,371 in support of our 2025 interns! Your support will help us continue to provide this life-changing experience, and inspire more Great Lakes stewards. Thank you!

You can make a difference! This #GivingTuesday, support ISEA's internship program and help us inspire the next generation of Great Lakes stewards. Your contribution will provide young, passionate individuals with hands-on experiences and valuable skills to protect these precious waterways. Let's work together to ensure a healthy future for the Great Lakes. Donate here: https://lnkd.in/gFNgQJAK

Join ISEA on December 19th for a presentation from Madeline Baroli, a climate adaption specialist with Salix, ATREP, and NIACS. This presentation will discuss the introduction of diverse tree species as a means of climate resilience. Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be provided.