In December 2014, Governor Walker presented NOAA a nomination for the designation of a National Marine Sanctuary in Wisconsin. This nomination was submitted on behalf of the Cities of Manitowoc, Port Washington, Sheboygan and Two Rivers and is based on a report prepared by the Wisconsin Historical Society in 2008. The report recommended this Mid-Lake Michigan region covers approximately 875 square miles of Lake Michigan waters along the coast of these four cities.
The proposed sanctuary contains 39 known shipwrecks, including 16 on the National Register of Historic Places. It also includes 15 intact shipwreck sites which is the largest number of intact sites of all the Maritime Trails regions on the Wisconsin coasts of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The construction dates of these shipwrecks range from 1833 to 1918. Three vessels within the proposed sanctuary possess standing masts – a rarity in any of the Great Lakes. This region includes Wisconsin’s two oldest shipwrecks discovered to date, the Gallinipper (1833) and the Home (1843), both of which remain intact.
The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries conducted public scoping sessions during mid-November of 2015 in Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Ozaukee Counties seeking the public’s input on protecting a maritime heritage resource area in Wisconsin as a national marine sanctuary.
After the Scoping meetings and public comments were received, NOAA began to develop a draft environmental impact statement, draft management plan and draft regulations for a possible Wisconsin marine sanctuary. NOAA representatives are working aggressively on these documents which should be finished soon.
During this time, groups in Sheboygan have been working together to position Sheboygan as a premier site for Science and Technology education. Their focus has been to develop the Fresh Coast Sheboygan plan. Project Fresh Coast is a plan for the future. It focuses on the development of a community culture engaged in innovation through hands-on experiences with science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, otherwise known as STEAM education. Spaceport Sheboygan is an integral part of this plan.
It was important to see the Rockets for Schools event after a one year hiatus return to Blue Harbor on May 7th. Arrangements have been made to see this event continue on the first Monday in May of 2017 and 2018. This week the NOAA Science On a Sphere permanent exhibit opened at Spaceport. Science On a Sphere is a room sized global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere, similar to a giant animated globe. Researchers at NOAA developed Science On a Sphere as an educational tool to help illustrate Earth System science to people of all ages. Animated images of atmospheric storms, climate change, and ocean temperature can be shown on the sphere, which is used to explain complex environmental processes, in a way that is simultaneously intuitive and captivating.
The Sea to Space Exploratorium is a proposed future addition, connected to Spaceport Sheboygan. The Sea to Space Exploratorium will emphasize the spirit of exploration and the relationship between the nature of nautical and aerospace sciences. After all, it’s no coincidence we test our space acumen under water. This addition is envisioned to include these exhibits; historical maritime artifacts, robotics and engineering highlighting the innovation and invention of area companies, virtual reality simulations, retractable covered pond for ROV experimentation and competition, life-size schooner playground.
With this current Science On a Sphere program expansion and future plans for a Sea to Space Exploratorium, Spaceport Sheboygan will be the Premier Destination for Space Exploration education in the Midwest.