Scientists have learned a great deal about
the Great Lakes over the past several decades by doing long-term studies
and monitoring. To get a better understanding of this complex system
the United States and Canada committed to a collaborative, binational
scientific effort in the Great Lakes in 2002. The effort is known as the Cooperative Science and Monitoring
Initiative, or CSMI. CSMI rotates from lake to lake on a 5-year cycle
and aims to promote, organize, and unify different research and
monitoring efforts by local, state, provincial, federal, First Nations,
academic, and non-governmental groups.
Credit: Loriann Cody
The objective of CSMI is to provide the best information possible to help
develop Lakewide Action and Management Plans under the Great Lakes Water
Quality Agreement.