GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute

10/12/2026

National coverage for a local freshwater project! Smithsonian Magazine features proposed Bubble Barrier in Lansing’s Grand River.

The technology uses underwater air curtains to capture floating plastic before it enters the Great Lakes.

This project is led by the MSU Water Alliance alongside GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute, Meijer, Michigan EGLE, Michigan Waterways Stewards, Michigan DNR, LimnoTech, and the City of Lansing.

Read the story: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/could-this-dutch-invention-help-tackle-plastic-pollution-in-americas-waterways-180989651/

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

AWRI's Outreach program has received an Impact 30 grant from the GVSU Division of K-12 Education Innovation and Scholar Success! Learn more about AWRI's work teaching environmental science to charter school students in this article from GVNext:

Through the Impact 30 grant, the Annis Water Resources Institute is working with two GVSU-authorized charter schools this school year, introducing students to the real-world application of environmental science.

10/01/2026

This Monday, October 5 from 3-5 PM, prospective students are invited to visit AWRI in Muskegon for a visit spotlighting Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences! Students will learn more about careers and opportunities in aquatic science, fisheries, and environmental conservation and take a tour of the institute with Dr. Carl Ruetz. Register online at https://apply.gvsu.edu/register/?id=aa07d25b-a8a6-413a-af98-e2daf5aa1a4f

09/24/2026

On September 16th, GVSU-AWRI’s Laker Raker’s removed 1,161 litter items in 50 minutes after heavy rain and high waves moved through the Muskegon area last week. That’s 22.3 items per minute! Nice catch for the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup!

Council of the Great Lakes Region Pollution Probe Meijer

09/24/2026

Visitors to the north end of Harbor Island in Grand Haven can find a new set of informational signs near the dock! The updated plaques provide information about AWRI's educational cruises, note the origins of the vessel program in 1965 during the early years of Grand Valley State College, and celebrate connecting >200k passengers with our local waterways!

09/21/2026

Join AWRI on Saturday, Sept 26, for ODC Network’s annual Macatawa Water Festival! Community partners are coming together to celebrate the Macatawa Watershed through hands-on outdoor experiences, water-based fun, and community connection. Find all the details at
outdoordiscovery.org/macatawa-water-festival/

Dive into a day of outdoor fun and discovery on Saturday, Sept 26 at ODC Network's Outdoor Discovery Center's annual Macatawa Water Festival!

This FREE event features kayaking, crafts, live animals, native seed activities, games, and more. Join us from 10am–2pm at Kollen Park as we celebrate the Macatawa Watershed and the importance of protecting the places that help people and nature thrive.

Ottawa and Allegan Conservation Districts will be teaming up at a table to talk about aquatic macroinvertebrates and the water cycle!

Learn more about this free event at https://outdoordiscovery.org/macatawa-water-festival/

09/21/2026

Education Specialist Christina Catanese and the AWRI Outreach program's aquatic science cruises on the and were featured in an article by Rapid Growth Media. Read more at https://rapidgrowthmedia.com/from-unseen-oceans-to-gvsu-exploring-the-great-lakes-anew/.

09/16/2026

Dr. Bopi Biddanda joined NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Great Lakes Now for the first-ever livestream from Lake Huron's Middle Island Sinkhole via remote operated vehicle, while a dive team collected samples from the sinkhole's microbial mats. Learn more and watch a recording of the livestream at https://www.greatlakesnow.org/hiddenbelow/!

Send a message to learn more

09/15/2026

AWRI invites applications for a new tenure-track Assistant Professor of Water Resources to begin Fall 2027. Review of applications will begin on October 16, 2026 and the position will remain open until filled.

Read the full job ad at https://gvsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/details/Assistant-Professor---Robert-B-Annis-Water-Resources-Institute_R105015. Read more about the perks of being a faculty member at GVSU-AWRI and learn about AWRI's home in Muskegon at our Faculty Hiring webpage at https://www.gvsu.edu/wri/faculty-hiring-45.