The First-Year Research in Earth Sciences (FYRES) project provides research experiences to first-year students in a course setting and to more-experienced students as paid internships for Earth sciences majors. Both groups of students learn about science by doing science, and their research results contribute valuable knowledge to managers, scientists and members of the public interested in Michigan coastal dunes.

Learn more about

People who have participated in FYRES.

Research results from FYRES projects.

Current and upcoming activities.

Quick Facts

  • 274

    first-year students have participated in the FYRES course since 2011

  • 71

    undergraduate students (2nd, 3rd and 4th year) have been paid for doing research through FYRES, including FYRES Research Mentors and students investigating the FYRES project itself

  • 35

    FYRES research reports have been given to dune managers

Gratitude and Acknowledgments

The FYRES Project gratefully acknowledges the following funding sources which have enabled FYRES project activities by

  • Funding the creation and implementation of FYRES: the National Science Foundation.
  • Funding public outreach activities of FYRES: the Michigan Space Grant Consortium.
  • Sustaining the FYRES project after the early years: Calvin University and the Calvin University department of geology, geography, and environment.

(For further information on funding, see grant details below.)

The FYRES project further acknowledges the following people and organizations who have supported FYRES by

  • Granting permission to do research in Hoffmaster State Park: the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
  • Providing information about Hoffmaster State Park environments and activities: Elizabeth Brockwell-Tillman (Park Naturalist), Melissa VanderVelde (Park Supervisor) and many other park personnel.
  • Granting permission to do research in various Ottawa County Parks: the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission.
  • Providing information about Ottawa County Parks environments and activities: Melanie Manion (Natural Resources Manager) and many other park personnel.
  • Granting permission to do research on several conservancy properties: the Land Conservancy of West Michigan.
  • Providing information about Land Conservancy dune environments and management activities: Jacqueline Bilello and Justin Heslinga (Stewardship Coordinators).
  • Granting permission to do research on several preserve dunes: the Kitchel-Linquist Dune Preserve Board.