Our Staff & Partners

Our Staff

Lifeblood

Erin Vorgias

Erin Vorgias is the Executive Director of the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy as of 2021. Erin grew up within the Muskegon community and aspires to continue to share the strengths and skills she has learned over the years. She is an alumni of Grand Valley State University and Muskegon Community College. Erin plans to continue her education further this year to pursue her master's degree. Erin is passionate about lighthouse preservation and wants to see lighthouses preserved for future generations.

Erin has experience with administrative responsibilities to obligations managing a farm to table project partnered with Muskegon public schools known as Growing Goods. Erin facilitates the sale of organic produce from her family farm Mund Farms in Rothbury Michigan at the SweetWater Local Food Market. She is also the founder of Erin V. Yoga creating accessible yoga within the White Lake and surrounding area for the last several years. She is passionate about creating collective action that brings residents together to establish ownership and joy in community sustainability. Erin cannot wait to meet and train our volunteers and prepare the lights for welcoming visitors once again in 2021.

Our Lighthouse partners

NOAA – Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA GLERL's Lake Michigan Field Station (LMFS) is the home port for NOAA Great Lakes vessels, which operate throughout the Great Lakes. It is also the platform for the long-term observations research program on Lake Michigan. The LMFS is strategically positioned on Lake Michigan to provide support to the local and regional community by further developing NOAA's role in freshwater ecology, ecosystems management, coastal management, and water-based commerce. This field station promotes long-term observations, field work, and process studies essential for understanding and developing future ecological services.

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Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium (GLWSC)

The Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium (GLWSC) is a "community of BEST practice" bringing together first responders, community leaders, park rangers, research scientists, lifeguards, meteorologists, survivors, loved ones, and other water safety advocates. The GLWSC mission is to connect all groups and individuals interested in water safety to maximize our collective knowledge, resources, and actions to END DROWNING IN THE GREAT LAKES.

Michigan Lighthouse Guide

The exciting Michigan Lighthouse Guide has actively captured the attention and following of Lighthouse enthusiasts and adventurous visitors to the Great Lakes State from all across the country. There's something truly mysterious and magical about Michigan's historic Beacons of Light that leave visitors enchanted and inspired, and this map will guide you to them, with updated information on nearly 130 Michigan Lighthouses.

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Big Sable Lighthouse

Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association (SPLKA) 

While managing White River Light Station, Little Sable Point Lighthouse, Ludington North Breakwater Light and Big Sable Point Lighthouse, the mission of SPLKA is to to preserve, promote and educate the public and make their lighthouses accessible to all.

Great Lakes Lighthouse Keeprs Association (GLLKA)

Originally consisting of an informal gathering of retired lighthouse keepers, their families and friends, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association (GLLKA) was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1983, making it one of the nation's longest-lived lighthouse preservation groups.

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A diver explores the wreck of the Cedarville. Credit: Jitka Hanakova.
A diver explores the wreck of the Cedarville. Credit: Jitka Hanakova.

Interactive Shipwreck & Lighthouse Map At Michigan History Center

The cold, fresh waters of the Great Lakes are literally littered with shipwrecks – pieces of history capturing chapters of a time when transport by water was as important as transport by land.

 

There are some 1,500 shipwrecks submerged in Michigan waters alone, making up one-quarter of the estimated 6,000 wrecks found throughout the Great Lakes.

 

Now, thanks to the recently launched Michigan Shipwrecks StoryMap, it’s easy to learn about the mystery and tragedy surrounding these ships.

Help Save Lighthouses – Donate Now

Help support the Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy with your thoughtful donation