PELLSTON, Mich. — For Anna Davies, water was the heart of her summer in northern Michigan.

But it wasn’t all swimming and stunning beach sunsets, though there was that too.

Based at the University of Michigan Biological Station nestled along the shores of Douglas Lake, the master's student in the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) looked beneath the surface of the beauty of the region’s rivers, lakes and streams to help protect freshwater ecosystems.

Living the legacy started by UMBS students half a century ago, Davies used her time in May, June and July at the research and teaching campus to mix aquatic research, advocacy and public outreach.

As the 2024 CLEAR Fellow, Davies lived and took a class at UMBS, while simultaneously interning with the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, an environmental nonprofit based in Petoskey.

The fellowship provides tuition support, room, board, research fees and supplies at UMBS to students doing applied aquatic research along with public outreach and education — directly involving students in the community.

“It’s my favorite job ever,” Davies said.

Founded in 1909, the U-M Biological Station is one of the nation’s largest and longest continuously operating field research stations. For 116 years, students, faculty and researchers from around the globe have studied and monitored the impact of environmental changes on northern Michigan ecosystems.

Laboratories, classrooms and cabins are tucked into more than 11,000 acres along Douglas Lake to support long-term science research and education.

Surveying for macroinvertebrates to put in the touch tank at the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council's building. Photo from Anna Davies

Living Legacy

As the 2024 CLEAR fellow, Davies collaborated closely with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s water protections team.

Davies did it all—and was not afraid to get her hands dirty.

On any given day, she could be found leading volunteer stream-monitoring workshops in communities throughout northern Michigan, identifying macroinvertebrates in the lab, monitoring lakeshores, or cleaning invasive species off boat hulls.

“That’s the whole reason I picked this internship—because I wanted to broaden my horizons and do all of these different things, and I really get the opportunity to do that here,” said Davies, a lifelong Michigander from Shelby Township. “This is a position where you do so much learning.”

In 1977, UMBS students started Project CLEAR, which stands for Community and Lakes Environmental Awareness and Research. Over time, Project CLEAR evolved into the environmental nonprofit known today as the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, whose mission is protecting lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater through advocacy, education, water quality monitoring, research and restoration actions.

Ten years ago, the alumni of the original UMBS CLEAR Project group decided to fund a CLEAR fellowship to support a student with a passion for water quality and community involvement, while keeping strong the relationship between the U-M Biological Station and the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council.

Anna Davies in a lab identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates. Photo from Anna Davies

Studying Freshwater Fishes

In July 2024, Davies split her time between her internship and her UMBS class.

She took the Field Studies of Freshwater Fishes course with Dr. Karen Alofs and Dr. Hernan Lopez-Fernandez, where she learned how to electro-fish, trap and identify minnows, and catch invasive goby using an otter trawl off of a 77-foot schooner with the Inland Seas Education Association.

“I went into this class with no knowledge about anything fish-related,” Davies said.

“Because of her experience working with Tip of the Mitt, Anna brings a broad perspective on the changes occurring in aquatic ecosystems around northern Michigan to class,” said Alofs, a UMBS course instructor and assistant professor in U-M SEAS. “She also is able to share her expertise in science communication and community outreach in our discussions.”

Though Davies never previously considered working with fish for her career, this course taught her the importance of including fish in her passion for freshwater ecosystems.

“There’s no way to work on them separately,” Davies said. “I would love to work with fish in the future.”

Anna Davies searches for Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle, an endangered water beetle, with a team from the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Photo from Anna Davies

Steering Her Career

Serving as the 2024 CLEAR Fellow helped her home in on her scientific career path, which has evolved.

Having graduated in 2022 from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and sustainability, Davies shared in the common challenge that comes with the post-graduate job search.

“It was having those experiences where you think, ‘Hmm, this job isn’t for me,’ that really helped to get me where I am today,” Davies said.

Having spent the summer as a CLEAR Fellow, she said that she has been redirected towards what she is most passionate about: water.

“I was missing the water,” Davies said. “I love everything about freshwater ecosystems. I do feel like this is giving me the opportunity to find what I like to do specifically by doing all of these different things and touching on everything.”

Looking to the future, Davies said that this summer has heavily informed her career interests and has shaped what type of work she wants to continue doing.

“I honestly would love to work at a watershed council,” she said. “I’ve loved everything that I’ve been doing.”

Anna Davies, middle, collected macroinvertebrates on May 17 with a team from Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, a process which helps determine water quality. Photo courtesy: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Anna Davies on May 17. Photo courtesy: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Anna Davies holds a rusty crawfish found in the Bear River. Photo from Anna Davies