Sea Grant Illinois-Indiana
About External Advisory Committee
External Advisory Committee
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant’s external advisory committee is comprised of industry, conservation, community, and agency leaders representing the bi-state area and broader Great Lakes region. The committee aids in defining IISG’s strategic goals, including providing guidance throughout the strategic planning process. It helps IISG assume a vital role in the science and practice of coastal restoration and management in our region.
External advisory committee members listed below will serve their term from 2025 – 2028. The leaders of the Illinois Coastal Management Program and the Indiana Coastal Management Program are ex-officio members and will remain on the IISG external advisory committee.
- Meg Kelly – Program Director, Illinois Coastal Management Program Office
- Chuck Knapp – Vice President, Conservation Research, Shedd Aquarium
- Jenny Orsburn – Program Manager, Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program
- Vic Santucci – Lake Michigan Program Manager, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Mike Searcy – Treasurer, Indiana Aquaculture Association; Owner, White Creek Farms of Indiana LLC
- Jason Taylor – Superintendent, Indiana Dunes National Park
Recent News
- Coastal communities can tap into IISG resources as they manage beach sand and structures
- It’s time to apply for the 2026 IISG Graduate Scholars Program
- IISG’s Eliana Brown wins 2025 Illinois Extension Excellence Award
- We’re hiring eight interns for summer 2026
- In 2026, IISG intends to fund 10 research projects focused on coastal concerns
IISG Instagram
Join us next month at the Friends of the Chicago River’s Friends of the Chicago River’s annual Student Congress. We’re excited to attend this free, student-driven environmental conference where we will be leading the Great Plankton Race.
Learn about river issues, connect with peers and professionals, enjoy snacks & giveaways, and even see live animals.
Who: Open to all students, families welcome too!
Where: On the campus of Northeastern Illinois University
When: Saturday, February 28, 2026
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Learn more and register at the link in bio.
#TeachingTuesday #ChicagoRiver
✨ Start Your New Year with Great Lakes Learning! ✨
Kick off 2026 by exploring the Center for Great Lakes Literacy Resource Library. It’s your one-stop hub for lesson plans, activities, and tools to bring Great Lakes science into your teaching setting.
Visit the link in bio to dive in today!
#TeachingTuesday
#GreatLakes #NewYearNewResources
Join us for a hands-on Project WET Make-and-Take Workshop in Chicago!
📅 When: March 12, 2026 from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM CT
📍 Where: 200 S Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL
💲 Cost: $25 (includes classroom-ready activity kits, lunch & refreshments)
🗓️ Registration closes February 26.
✅ Open to 3rd–8th grade formal & informal educators
✅ Earn 6 PD hours
✅ Leave with ready-to-use water education kits aligned to Common Core & NGSS
👉 Don’t miss out—space is limited!
Learn more and register at the link in bio.
@thengrrec
From supporting cutting-edge research to empowering educators, students, and Great Lakes communities, 2025 was a year of collaboration, learning, and impact.
Thank you to our partners, researchers, educators, and community members who made it all possible. Here’s to another year of protecting, exploring, and sustaining the Great Lakes!
