Happy Earth Week from Wisconsin!
I’m in Madison at the University of Wisconsin giving two keynote lectures to inspire students — one on the critical need for field stations in the 21st century.
Progress does not happen in silence. Traveling to meet new audiences is one way scientists connect everyone to the power of discovery and expand our impact on the planet.
Back along Douglas Lake in Pellston, I hope you join us at the University of Michigan Biological Station this spring or summer for a few of our free, public seminars in the 2026 Summer Lecture Series.
This year we’re packed with the kinds of conversations we all need right now, including drinking water disinfection, beavers as architects of climate resilience, making a migratory monarch butterfly, continent-scale aerial dispersal of fungi, the work to reduce global mercury pollution, the tale of a weevil in a Caribbean environmental crisis involving pesticides, and so much more.
It is our honor to bring top researchers from across the country together with the UMBS community and the public every Wednesday evening to unpack the environmental challenges we’re facing and the science that can help us respond. Read the UMBS news story and peruse the distinguished lineup of speakers.
We are rising to the global challenge through strategic efforts. A major piece of the puzzle is now in place to continue moving forward.
Please join me in welcoming a new staff member to our high-caliber team!
I am thrilled to announce we hired Brett Biebuyck as an assistant director and campus manager in Pellston, a newly created role designed to strengthen day-to-day operations as UMBS grows its academic and research footprint in northern Michigan.
Brett is a senior field station operations leader who has served two of the most prominent and successful field stations in the world during transitional times: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado and Toolik Field Station in Arctic Alaska.
Through his support of strong staff teams, on-site management of year-round infrastructure, and community engagement, Brett has distinguished himself as a leader who can help us implement our strategic goals. Learn all about Brett — and how this move to northern Michigan is a homecoming, of sorts, for him — in the UMBS news story.
Brett is a champion of our natural world through his behind-the-scenes work to keep field station operations successful. Our alumni feature this month shines a spotlight on a brave woman on the front lines using her voice and mastery of environmental law to fight for conservation. In our UMBS Alumni Success story, Amy Armstrong gives a powerful call to action for all us, especially students who may be terrified by what science and nature are facing right now. And her message holds so much weight because she has surmounted life-changing trauma that left her unable to walk.
Amy’s words need to be read, re-read, fully absorbed and used to fuel the desire to show up: “It’s important not to give up. I truly believe everyone has something to contribute. Being part of something larger in society is fundamental for our own happiness.”
Join the fight from your neck of the woods. And if you know a college student with a passion for nature and sustainability, encourage them to start where Amy did: taking summer courses at UMBS. It’s not too late to apply.
At the very least, don’t look away. I know it’s heartbreaking to watch the videos of flooding in northern Michigan right now as utilities and families navigate ice and snow melt, heavy rainfall, raging rivers, failing dams, crumbling roads, homes filling with water. Maybe use moments like this to be a place where your “why” finds your “how.”
One last thing: Thank you for supporting our field research station. Giving Blueday in March was a huge success. In one day, we raised more than $17,000! Each and every donation added up in creative, competitive ways, resulting in an extra $5,100 thanks to UMBS winning a Power Hour, ending up in third place on the final leaderboard out of all participating LSA departments, and hitting a variety of matches (such as the Parent Match or Young Alum Match). We are grateful to feel your love for our students, researchers and mission.
Read the entire April 2026 newsletter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Aimee Classen
UMBS Director
