Establishing Gull Exclusion Zones at Public Beaches

This project supports the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, pursuant to Public Law 112-10. Central Michigan University researchers will use trained border collies to chase geese and other birds from beaches in Ottawa and Muskegon Counties to improve beach water quality and reduce beach closings. The effectiveness of this approach will be assessed by measuring levels of E. coli and zoonotic pathogens in water near the gull exclusion zones.