Research in Great Lakes Parks

Why Is Research Critical for National Parks?

As our nation's biggest classrooms and outdoor laboratories, national parks offer unique opportunities for scientific research and research learning. Parks have played an important role in the history of science. Their natural and cultural resources continue to provide unmatched opportunities to conduct critical research that can help inform management decisions. While the world is experiencing climate changes, movement of invasive species, declining biodiversity, and increased visitation to parks, using the best available science to inform management decisions is crucial to upholding the mission of the National Park Service.

Who Does Research in National Parks?

"Research" can occur in many forms and can be conducted by a range of entities like government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, universities and colleges, and more. Anyone interested in conducting research or collecting information in a national park MUST have an active research permit on file. If you have questions about a research idea or applying for a permit, contact GLREC at erin_argyilan@nps.gov.

Research in GLREC Parks

  • A person sitting at a table looks through a microscope to remove rock from a large piece of fossil
    Apply for a Research Permit

    The National Park Service welcomes proposals for scientific studies on park lands. Learn how to apply for a research permit.

  • An image of a report cover showing birds monitored
    Great Lakes I & M Reports & Publications

    Connect to the reports and publications webpage of the Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring Network

  • The homepage of the NPS Data Store
    NPS Data Store

    Access DataStore - use the digital repository for the National Park Service to research existing documents and datasets

  • An image of an NPS website screen
    Research Permit & Reporting System

    "Investigator's Annual Reports", contain short descriptions of the research done in a given year and are online and available to the public.

  • Volunteer in hip waders planting a native plant plug in a wetland
    Research Needs

    Looking for a research idea? Consult a list of needs by park. This list is always changing and researchers can propose their own ideas.

Last updated: November 8, 2024

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