The cold, freshwater of the Great Lakes provides an ideal environment for preserving underwater cultural heritage. Through state and federal protections, the freshwater national marine sanctuaries of the Great Lakes protect important prehistoric sites and a diverse collection of historically-significant shipwreck sites. Deploying various resource protection strategies and supporting archaeological research projects, Great Lakes sanctuaries successfully comply with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act by engaging communities and protecting the area’s resources.

This forum brings together researchers and partners from all three Great Lakes sanctuaries to discuss the wide array of research projects conducted within sanctuary waters, as well as the management strategies employed to protect these nationally significant resources.