About the RIIS Network

Resilient Illinois and Indiana Shorelines (RIIS) is a bi-state coastal resilience network developed in partnership between Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG), the Illinois Coastal

Management Program (ICMP), and the Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP).

What We Do

RIIS was developed to foster coastal resilience throughout communities along the Illinois and Indiana coasts of Lake Michigan. RIIS will connect stakeholders with shared coastal resilience interests and facilitate the sharing of knowledge, resources, and practical approaches through meetings and collaborative activities.

Become a member of RIIS network

Membership is free, voluntary and open to practitioners with an interest in coastal resilience along the Illinois or Indiana coasts of Lake Michigan. RIIS network members can participate as much or as little as they like, and are encouraged to join meetings, share ideas, or simply stay informed.

Who should join?

• Municipal staff, local governments, and emergency managers from coastal counties, cities, villages, and towns
• State and federal agency staff
• Non-profits, non-governmental organizations, and community organizations
• Academic institutions (Researchers, scientists, and extension professionals)
• Engineers, consultants, and other coastal practitioners

RIIS Newsletter

Coming soon!

RIIS Network Planning Survey

Purdue University is conducting a short, voluntary survey to help shape the RIIS network. Your input will guide network priorities and planning of activities.

Study Details:

Resilient Illinois and Indiana Shorelines (RIIS) Network Planning Survey
PI: Stuart Carlton, Ph.D. Co-PI: Sarah Peterson, Ph.D
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
STUDY 2026-00000414
Purdue University

Learn more about the survey – (flyer)

Take the Survey – We value your input!
https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cwGtxKya5r0soWW

If you have questions, comments or concerns about this research project, you can talk to one of the researchers.  Please contact Sarah Peterson at peter973@purdue.edu or by phone: (765) 496-1223, or Stuart Carlton at carltons@purdue.edu or (765) 494-3726. 

Upcoming Events

• State of Lake Michigan Meeting, Nov. 4-6, 2026, Michigan City, IN. Abstracts due July 13, 2026 at 12pm CT/1pm ET.
• 2026 RIIS Network In-Person Meeting and Field Trip, Indiana Dunes State Park, Nov. 6, 2026 – Details coming soon!

 

Meet the RIIS Coordination Team

Sarah Peterson, Ph.D.
Coastal Engineering and Community Resilience Specialist
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant: iiseagrant.org
Purdue University – Dept. Forestry and Natural Resources: ag.purdue.edu/fnr
Email: Peter973@purdue.edu

 

Joe Exl
Coastal Resources Coordinator
Lake Michigan Coastal Program: https://www.in.gov/dnr/lake-michigan-coastal-program/
Email: jexl@dnr.in.gov

 

Carla Rosenfeld, Ph.D.
Natural Resources Manager
Illinois Coastal Management Program: https://dnr.illinois.gov/cmp.html
Email: Carla.Rosenfeld@Illinois.gov

 

Esther N. Chavira-Metza
Natural Resources Coordinator
Illinois Coastal Management Program: https://dnr.illinois.gov/cmp.html
Email: esther_chavira-meza@illinois.gov

 

 

 

Contact us for more information about Resilient Illinois and Indiana Shorelines initiative or how to partner with RIIS.

 

RIIS Partners and Funding Acknowledgement

This website was created by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG), in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP) and Illinois DNR Coastal Management Program (ICMP). Funding provided in part via the National Sea Grant College Program and Cooperative Agreements from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under Coastal Zone Management Act awards.