Do you want to learn about the Great Lakes
by being on the Great Lakes? If so, you will want to learn more about our
2019 Summer Discovery Cruises (www.discoverycruises.org) season!
For the 19th summer, Michigan Sea Grant Extension
will provide Michiganders (and visitors to Michigan) with the opportunity to
learn about the Great Lakes by being on the Great Lakes. Cruises depart
from Lake Erie Metropark, with cruises on the lower Detroit River and Lake
Erie, and Lake St. Clair Metropark, cruising Lake St. Clair.
The 2019 season
offers more than 20 educational cruises around themes such as Fisheries,
Wildlife, Wetlands, Shipwrecks, Lighthouses, Weather, Shipping and more.
Some of the exciting cruises for the 2019 season
include:
Nature of Lake St. Clair - Discover the rich variety of aquatic life that makes
Lake St Clair so special. Plants, animals, and habitats - including one
of the world's largest freshwater deltas - will be explored.
Lake St. Clair Fisheries - This is not a fishing cruise, but it definitely
is a “fishy” cruise! Learn first-hand about the fish that are found in Lake St.
Clair, many of which are available for hands-on examination during the cruise.
We will be joined by a Michigan DNR Fisheries Biologist and rendezvous with
their research vessel while out on the lake to observe fish tagging, measuring
and other research operations.
Warfare on the Waterfront -
The War of 1812, World War II, and even the American Civil War have all shaped
the Detroit River and western Lake Erie. Long after the end of
hostilities, remnants of this military presence can still be found. Join
an Interpreter for an in-depth look at these conflicts, their sites and
stories, and see how they impacted the region and the world.
Shipwreck at Sugar - Just
under the waves off a crumbling Sugar Island dock lie the remains of a vessel
sank in 1945. Travel with our resident historian to the wreck site to learn
about the S.S. Seabreeze, the story of how it got there and the circumstances
surrounding its mysterious sinking.
Birds, Boats & Booze (4 hour
history cruise) - Many things
brought people to the St. Clair River Delta Flats area. The abundant wetlands
brought duck hunters and fishing. Wood boats and passenger steamers brought
tourism and recreation, and Prohibition brought rumrunners and speakeasies to
the region. Spend a little more time in "the flats" with us as we
cruise farther up the South Channel and share a little of the past including
stories of the big hotels, Tashmoo Park, Chris Craft boat building and more.
Great Lakes Science for Kids - Learn about the ecology of Lake St. Clair or Lake
Erie, by using the tools a Great Lakes Scientist uses to determine water
quality by studying the plants and animals of the lakes. Try your hand at using
a plankton net, bottom dredge, water testing kit, underwater camera, and
binoculars to discover the exciting nature of the lake and become a Great Lakes
Scientist!
To learn about the Great Lakes by being on
the Great Lakes, visit the Summer Discovery Cruises web site at www.discoverycruises.org for complete cruise
descriptions, locations, dates and times, as well as directions on how to
register for your 2019 Summer
Discovery Cruises. Don’t miss the boat!
