Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) welcomes Sarah Peterson as the program’s new coastal engineering and community resilience specialist. Peterson will develop a coastal resilience program along the southern Lake Michigan shoreline.

“Coastal hazards, such as meter-scale water level fluctuations in the Great Lakes, can lead to significant coastal geomorphic change and have major impacts on nearby communities, ecosystems, infrastructure and local economies,” Peterson said. “At IISG, I am excited to work alongside a skilled and passionate team of scientists, researchers, educators and specialists to help southern Lake Michigan coastal communities build resilience.”

The new coastal resilience program aims to enhance coastal hazard preparedness and resilience in communities along the Indiana and Illinois shores of Lake Michigan through collaboration, applied research, technical guidance, education and outreach.

Peterson earned both a Bachelor of Science and a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a focus on coastal geomorphic change. Her doctoral research examined the effects of water level fluctuations on coastal environments and shoreline change near the water’s edge.

While at UW-Madison, Peterson developed technical skills using ArcGIS to create spatial tools for analyzing coastal geomorphic change, mapping potential and identifying spatial and temporal changes in coastal property values in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and adjacent estuaries. She also used FUNWAVE-TVD to model wave current circulation patterns and interaction with groin structures at Sheridan Park, on the Wisconsin coast of Lake Michigan.

She will be based at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station in Chesterton, Indiana.

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Join us in welcoming IISG’s new coastal engineering and community resilience specialist, Sarah Peterson! Sarah’s chief responsibility will be to develop a coastal resilience program along the southern Lake Michigan shoreline. Read more about Sarah and her work at the link in bio.
Attention educators! Only 2 days left to apply!Got summer plans? The Shipboard Science Workshop takes place each year on one of the Great Lakes, and 2025 is Lake Michigan’s turn! Take advantage of this opportunity to work alongside scientists and fellow-educators  aboard the EPA R/V Lake Guardian to engage in real-world research and data collection, enhance your skills, and create innovative lessons. 5-12th grade formal and informal educators from all Great Lakes states are invited to apply for this FREE shipboard workshop sponsored by the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office and facilitated by Great Lakes Sea Grant Network educatorsWorkshop dates: July 7-13, 2025Application deadline: Feb. 10.Learn more at the link in bio.
🚨🚨 New episode alert!🚨🚨 Teach Me About the Great Lakes episode 105 is out!The nonprofit Freshwater Future has had much success working with local communities toward cleaner, safer drinking water. Jill Ryan, executive director, and Ann Baughman, associate director, patiently play Stuart’s favorite game, counting down the top five threats to our drinking water as they know them. SPOILER ALERT: Two of them surprised Stuart.Tune in via the link in bio.
Don’t miss out on the latest edition of our “Making Waves in Education” newsletter! Dive into innovative professional learning opportunities and stay updated on upcoming events like the annual Shipboard Science Workshop and a new Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems Curriculum Workshop.  Perfect for Illinois and Indiana educators passionate about environmental education. Check it out at the link in bio.
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