The Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management (PERM) began as a formal partnership between Michigan State University and the Fisheries and Wildlife divisions of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). This partnership was established on Earth Day, April 22, 1993 to enhance the ability of the university and MDNR to work with other stakeholders toward identifying significant ecosystem problems and conducting research toward their solution.

PERM's novel approach to promoting cooperation among its partners, facilitating cutting-edge natural resource research, and applying results to resource management soon attracted other partners, which include the MDNR's Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) and the Great Lakes Science Center (Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey). PERM faculty positions at MSU are in the departments of Agricultural Economics, Fisheries and Wildlife, Forestry, Geography and Sociology.

Objectives include:

• Augment regional capability for ecosystem-level applied research
• Provide outreach services to management agencies
• Serve as a liaison between management agencies to facilitate cooperative research on high priority problems.
  

Major Accomplishments

PERM faculty play an active and important role in internal MDNR and GLFC activities. For example, a PERM faculty member chairs the Fisheries Division's resource inventory planning committee and PERM faculty participated in developing the division's Watershed Approach to Re-engineering. PERM faculty member participates in the work of the Wildlife Division's Survey Section, and have worked with wildlife division staff to develop a multi-million dollar research proposal.

Research by PERM scientists is being used in resource management. For example, research by PERM scientists played a critical role in supporting the decision to treat the St. Mary's River for sea lamprey. This major management decision will promote fisheries in Lake Huron and restoration of native species in that system. Modeling by PERM scientists is being used to evaluate different options for stocking salmon and trout in the Great Lakes. Research by a PERM faculty member is being used by the U.S. National Research Council to evaluate the endangered species act.

The views of PERM scientists are widely sought regionally. PERM scientists have participated in external review of the Great Lakes Science Center's research program and of the assessment programs of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. A PERM scientist serves on the Great Lakes Fishery Commission's Board of Technical Experts. PERM scientists are regularly asked to provide input to multi-agency Great Lake Committees. Input by a PERM scientist was sought for modeling Kirtland's warbler populations and habitat.

PERM researchers are scientific leaders. By February 1998 PERM scientists had published or submitted for publication 47 papers and presented research in 63 oral presentations at conferences or seminars. PERM scientists are active in leadership roles within professional societies.