SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (AP) — Lake Superior State University says its researchers are at work this summer trying to aid the survival of an endangered bird species, the piping plover.

Researchers from the Sault Ste. Marie school have received $150,000 out of $8.5 million allocated to 30 environmental restoration projects through the Sustain Our Great Lakes program.

The Lake Superior State effort involves monitoring of piping plover nesting areas in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

Canadian researchers are collaborating in Lake Superior State’s project.

The coordinators include Lake Superior State biologist Jason Garvon and his wife, professor Shannon Rowell-Garvon of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario’s Algoma University. The faculty members are working with a team of students.

Matching funds have raised money for the project to $313,000.

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