One CMU student and faculty member will have the chance to research a
nearly untouched body of water this summer.

Eagle junior April Honsowitz and Tom Rohrer, director of CMU’s
Environmental Studies Program, were awarded a $13,500 grant for their
research with the Pierce Cedar Creek Foundation.

The duo will spend a portion of their summer studying Brewster Lake,
located in Barry County.

Rohrer recognizes the significance of being one of the first
researchers to study a relatively untouched body of water.

“It’s one of the only lakes in Michigan that’s had little human
contact,” he said. “We’re basically laying the foundation for further
research.”

The study, which will last about three months, will include room and
board for the participants, as well as an income for the student and
funding for the materials and equipment that will be used.

Research participants will study the depth contours of the lake, as
well as identifying different kinds of algae and aquatic plants.

Rohrer believes there is a lot to be learned from Brewster Lake and
hopes it’s only the beginning of the discoveries they make.

“We hope in the future it will become a long term environmental
research site,” Rohrer said.

Honsowitz became involved in the project when Rohrer announced it to
several students.

“Studying the environment is definitely my interest,” she said.
“Being in the wildlife society helped me to know what I should do.”

The land once belonged to Dr. Lewis Batts and then was bought by the
Pierce family, who have opened up the area to students at other area
colleges and universities.

“I’m really excited about it, but then it’s like whoa, this is in my
hands,” Honsowitz said.

The pair’s findings will be presented at the State Capitol in 2006,
where undergraduate research is annually showcased.

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