How Michigan can protect water and land
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LANSING- The Michigan the Beautiful initiative is a journey to help the state's Great Lakes align with the United Nation's global goal of protecting 30% of land and water by 2030.
The United Nations finalized the global goal in 2022. So far, 100 countries have dedicated themselves to this target, not including the United States under current federal policy.
It seeks to protect biodiversity, maintain clean air and water, create equitable access to nature and increase habitat connectivity.
An executive order was made in the Biden administration to launch the national plan, America the Beautiful.
On the first day of President Donald Trump's second term, however, he rescinded that order.
Many states decided to move forward with the 30×30 protections goals even though the plan is no longer advancing under the federal government.
Research shows that around 23% of Michigan's Great Lakes currently fall within the protected area designations.
A recent study from the University of Michigan School for Environment & Sustainability investigated how the state can reach the goal in time and came up with three important strategies:
facilitating education and engagement, enhancing coastal management and increasing protections.
According to the study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research, national parks help safeguard significant coastal systems in the state. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Isle Royale National Park all border Great Lakes.
National marine sanctuaries, such as Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary on Lake Huron, also offer protection, which counts as a protected status under Michigan the Beautiful.
The Michigan Coastal Management Program protects the state's coastlines through technological assistance and grant funding. The program helps advance research on climate change and sustainable coastline development.
Building relationships and prioritizing collaborative processes are one of the most effective conservation efforts, according to the study
"Strong relationships foster innovation, early exploration of ideas, and adaptability while providing ongoing project stewardship," the study said.
The relationships are especially important for tribal communities.
The study quoted a tribal staff member, saying there are challenges for the tribe when working with the state.
The staff member said no one from the state normally comes to talk to the tribe, which receives only requests for endorsement or comment.
"It doesn't make it easy to hash out any issues," the staff member said.
Interviewees from the study said that Michigan must engage with tribal communities to make collaboration a priority and for mutual respect so tribal communities feel engaged in the program.
The authors of the study said that the approximate 23% protection status of the Great Lakes is misleading.
"The current state and federal programs and regulations do not necessarily align with the goals that the United Nations has established for the 30×30 efforts," the study said.
It also said that many of Michigan's programs focus more on recreation and heritage than on water protection and ecological conservation.
The authors proposed that the state strengthen the conservation protections under the Michigan Underwater Preserve System and expand the geographic outreach of the program.