Parks & Partners

Research and Learning Centers (RLCs) help connect scientific research on park resources with education and outreach. Parks benefit from scientific research on natural and cultural resources that provides inforation to inform decision-making on how to best protect them. Scientists benefit from parks because they protect and manage natural and cultural resources making them and available and suitable for research. And visitors benefit from opportunities to learn and engage through science in parks.

The Great Lakes Research and Education Center (GLREC) is hosted at the Indiana Dunes National Park which provides funding and oversight. The GLREC achieves its mission by working with multiple NPS parks and partners dedicated to connecting science and education around the natural and cultural resources of the Great Lakes.The GLREC partners include federal offices, non-profits, educational institutions and local communities. Partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and institutions of higher education play an essential role in our community science and internship programs.

GLREC Partnerships

  • Looking out at the rock arch Lover's Leap from the water of Lake Superior
    Partnering With Parks

    The GLREC serves 11 partner parks in the NPS Great Lakes Network (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana) along with 3 Ohio parks.

  • A scientist sits in a wetland with her reserach equipment.
    Partners in Research

    The GLREC works with research partners from other federal agencies, universities and institutions, non-profit organizations, and more

  • Students examine a vegetation plot and collect data.
    Partners in Education

    The GLREC benefits from educational collaborations with K-12 schools, universities and colleges, community members and groups, and more.

Last updated: April 1, 2024

Tools