Manoomin – The Good Berry

Manoomin, or wild rice, is native to the rivers and lakes of northern Michigan and is an integral plant both economically and culturally. As part of the 2025 Summer Lecture Series at the University of Michigan Biological Station, Frank Zomer will discuss the importance of manoomin to Anishinaabe people, the history of manoomin in Michigan, reasons for its loss/decline across the state, and where we are now. He’ll provide many examples specific to his work as Inland Fisheries Biologist for the Bay Mills Indian Community and also talk generally about trends across the state.

Zomer leads the manoomin restoration program for the tribe. He also is active in the restoration of manoomin statewide as the co-chair of the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative which brings together all 12 Michigan Tribes and state and federal agencies to promote and protect manoomin in Michigan. Frank enjoys spending time outdoors in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula with his wife and three children.

The U-M Biological Station — the largest of U-M's campuses at more than 10,000 forested acres surrounded by lakes — is one of the nation's largest and longest continuously operating field research stations.

Founded in 1909, the Biological Station supports long-term research and education. It is where students and scientists from across the globe live and work as a community to learn from the place.

The Summer Lecture Series is a tradition at UMBS, where we explore scientific topics with distinguished guest speakers from across the country so our community can learn about our natural world.

The free, public talks are on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the spring and summer in Gates Lecture Hall at the University of Michigan Biological Station, located at 9133 Biological Rd. in Pellston, Michigan — about 20 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge.