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

Sign up to become a RIIS Network member and join our mailing list.

RIIS Newsletter – coming soon! 

Upcoming Events

2026 RIIS Network Meeting and Field Trip
November 6, 2026, 9:30am-12:30pm CT
Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, IN
Register here

Please join the Resilient Illinois and Indiana Shorelines (RIIS) network and Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) on Friday, November 6th from 9:30am-12:30pm for a field trip to Indiana Dunes State Park and the first in-person RIIS network meeting.

This half-day visit to Indiana Dunes State Park will provide an opportunity to learn about coastal processes, observation collaborations, as well as efforts to enhance resilience in the park, along with a short 20–30-minute soft-trail hike. The program will also include the first in-person RIIS network meeting, featuring presentations, collaborative activities, and networking opportunities. Attendees should come prepared for outdoor weather conditions. Light snacks will be provided. We recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to stay comfortable throughout the day.

To attend this event, please fill out the registration form linked above and confirm your spot. Space is limited to 45 attendees. There is no cost to attend. The last day to sign up for this field trip is Friday, October 23rd, or when space is filled.

Note: This field trip will also be offered to attendees at the State of Lake Michigan meeting. Due to limited capacity, registration priority will be given to RIIS network members and GLOS community of practice members, with remaining spots available to other attendees on a space-available basis.

State of Lake Michigan Meeting
November 4-6, 2026
Michigan City, IN
Register here

 

Meet the RIIS Coordination Team

Sarah Peterson, Ph.D.
Coastal Engineering and Community Resilience Specialist and RIIS Contact
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.
Program Manager
Illinois Coastal Management Program: https://dnr.illinois.gov/cmp.html
Email: Carla.Rosenfeld@Illinois.gov

 

Esther N. Chavira-Meza
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, please fill out the form below.

 

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.