About Us

Great Lakes and Watershed Studies at Bowling Green State University conducts collaborative, interdisciplinary research to advance the understanding of watershed socio-ecological systems, by bringing together professors and students from across the university to study multiple aspects of the sustainability of watersheds. Our efforts address critical issues in Ohio and around the world, through integration of research, education, and community engagement.

Our Mission

Great Lakes and Watershed Studies brings together faculty members with expertise in diverse research areas related to the Great Lakes and their watersheds. Our mission is to serve the public from the local to international scale, through research, education, and direct and indirect application of state-of-the-art science to critical 21st Century water-related problems, including nutrient pollution, climate change, anthropogenic contaminants, biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation. We are well-located to address these problems, residing in the heart of the watershed of the Western Basin of Lake Erie, an agriculturally dominated area formerly occupied by the Great Black Swamp and in close proximity to population centers of Toledo, Cleveland and Detroit.

This collaboration prepares graduate and undergraduate students for watershed-related careers in the academic, governmental, non-profit and private sectors. Our research, education, and engagement activities serve the public by providing information and services to impacted communities and NGOs and governmental entities at the local, state and federal levels. Our community science efforts engage the public directly in both the research and public education missions of BGSU. We are motivated to facilitate the translation of research into policy and practice that sustains healthy watersheds and critical freshwater resources, towards protecting the health of human communities and natural ecosystems.