This multiphase project focused on the protection, monitoring, and restoration of wild rice and its habitat in the northern Great Lakes basin of the U.S. Past work included a Lake Superior phase from 2017 to 2019 and a Lakes Michigan–Huron phase from 2019 to 2022. The third phase for Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron is being implemented from 2023 to 2026.
Building on the last two collaborative Great Lakes wild rice projects (see story map offsite link and details below), this final phase takes a more holistic look at wild rice resilience in the Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron basins. This phase includes additional geospatial and remote sensing technical support for Tribal-led monitoring and restoration efforts, more opportunities for convening and knowledge sharing, and help with identifying and addressing remaining data gaps. This project also focuses on contributing to the co-development of wild rice indicators to better understand the past, present, and future dynamics and stressors impacting distribution and resilience.
This project will be carried out in partnership with Great Lakes Tribes and First Nations, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, 1854 Treaty Authority, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, academia, and tribal, federal, and state agencies. NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management will also work closely with Tribal partners to ensure free, prior, and informed consent and adherence to the CARE Principles offsite link for Indigenous data sovereignty and governance throughout all related efforts.
Additional information on past phases is available here.
Funding:
FY2023: $850,000
Contact: Chiara.Zuccarino-Crowe@noaa.gov
Partners: Great Lakes Tribes and First Nations, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, 1854 Treaty Authority, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, academia, and tribal, federal, and state agencies