Experience Fishtown during Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Conference

Brandon Schroeder<schroe45@msu.edu>, MIchigan State University Extension, Michigan Sea Grant -

Event aims to connect fisheries heritage interests across Michigan; exploring opportunities to better connect and share stories, exhibits, experiences.

Our Great Lakes fisheries (past, present, and future) can benefit local museum programs, promote Great Lakes literacy, enhance coastal tourism development opportunities, foster educational connections, and support community development efforts.
Our Great Lakes fisheries (past, present, and future) can benefit local museum programs, promote Great Lakes literacy, enhance coastal tourism development opportunities, foster educational connections, and support community development efforts.

The Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trails Conference is a great networking opportunity to gain information, resources, and new ideas about how fisheries heritage can help promote education and tourism. Fishtown Preservation Society in collaboration with Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Extension, and other partners of the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage network are hosting the annual conference Oct. 12-13, 2017 at Fishtown in Leland, Mich. 

This year’s conference explores online opportunities to share local fisheries heritage in statewide contexts. Participants will explore opportunities to better use internet technology to archive, share and connect the work in their local communities, museums, and libraries with others across the state.

Visit historic Fishtown exhibits

A conference highlight is always the networking picnic with an opportunity this year to tour the historic Fishtown fishery (today’s living reflection of our historic Great Lakes commercial fisheries) and their dynamic interpretive exhibits on Oct. 12, 2017; followed by the educational conference day on Oct. 13, with presentations and discussion centered on promoting our fisheries heritage through history, tourism, and educational opportunities.

Learn more about Michigan’s Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Consortium projects and partnerships, including collaboration among this growing statewide fisheries heritage tourism trail network. Our Great Lakes fisheries (past, present, and future) can benefit local museum programs, promote Great Lakes literacy, enhance coastal tourism development opportunities, foster educational connections, and support community development efforts.

This two-day conference will offer:

  • Conference kick-off and networking reception begins at 1 p.m. Oct. 12, 2017, with a picnic luncheon (provided) and guided tours of Fishtown’s fisheries heritage educational exhibits.
  • Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Consortium business meeting (open to all interested) will be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 12, 2017, at the Leland Township Munnecke Room 10. Participate in planning and projects of this statewide network of organizations collaborating with a common interest in protecting and promoting our Great Lakes fisheri

    poster describing conference

    es heritage.
  • Conference educational sessions begin 9 a.m. Oct 13, 2017, at the Leland Township Munnecke Room 10. Learn from panel presenters, and share your own ideas and experiences that can help bring fisheries heritage stories to life.

Learn more and register online today

Visit the conference website to register online. This educational program is open to all those interested in promoting maritime heritage tourism and Great Lakes stewardship. Please register by Oct. 5.

Registration is $40 ($20 for students) and includes picnic lunch and guided tours at Fishtown on Oct. 12; and participation in educational conference sessions with lunch on Oct. 13. There is no cost to attend the business meeting on Oct. 12. 

For additional information about this educational program contact Brandon Schroeder, Michigan Sea Grant Extension (schroe45@msu.edu, 989-354-9885).

Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s coastal, Great Lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and its MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 33 university-based programs.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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