The first of nine rock reefs is under construction in the St. Clair River delta northeast of Detroit. The goal of the project, which is led by Michigan Sea Grant, is to boost populations of lake sturgeon and other rare native fish by providing river-bottom rock structures where they can spawn. The rock reefs are designed to assist several native species that are considered threatened or endangered in Michigan, including lake sturgeon, mooneye, the northern madtom catfish and the river redhorse sucker. Walleye, a popular sport fish, and commercially important lake whitefish should also benefit. The new reefs will be constructed in the Middle Channel of the St. Clair River delta, near an existing lake sturgeon spawning site.

Strategies to meet the leadership and management challenges facing environmental groups is the focus of a special symposium Friday, March 16, at the University of Michigan. The "Conservation Forward: Environmental Leadership in Action" symposium concludes with a keynote address by John Ehrmann (M.S. '81, Ph.D. '7), who has pioneered the use of collaborative decision-making processes for more than two decades at the local, national and international levels. The symposium also features expert-led panel discussions on topics such as urban sustainability, energy, state and federal policy, ecosystem services and landscape-scale conservation. The discussions will give managers and leaders at southeast Michigan conservation groups the chance to learn new techniques and strategies to help their organizations.

Marie Lynn Miranda began her term as dean of the School of Natural Resources and Environment Jan. 1. Dean Miranda has devoted much of her professional career to research directed at improving the health status of disadvantaged populations, particularly children. To inaugurate her tenure, she sent the following email to faculty, students and staff Jan. 1.

Eight SNRE students who are either Duke Conservation Fellows or Wyss Conservation Scholars returned this week from an annual retreat held each year for members of the programs. The retreat, held at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.V., was again facilitated by SNRE Professor Steven Yaffee, who also serves as the school's director of the Duke and Wyss scholars program.