Brian Majka is a Senior Restoration Ecologist with GEI Consultants. Based out of Allendale, MI, Brian has over 25 years of experience in the design and construction of ecological restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes. Specializing in the restoration of aquatic ecosystems, he has worked extensively with Great Lakes coastal wetlands, natural shorelines, and stream restoration projects throughout his career. He was a founding member of the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership, where he helped develop and teach natural shoreline practices throughout the state of Michigan, and served on the board of directors for the Midwest-Great Lakes Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration from 2021-2025.

TSN Conference 2026

January 22nd, 2026 (Thursday) // 11:35 am – 12:35 pm // Room 104 // Delineation of Michigan Critical Dunes // Michigan has long recognized the importance of protecting its freshwater sand dunes. In response to development pressures and the recognition of the need to protect especially important dunes, the Michigan legislature passed the Sand Dunes Protection and Management law in 1989. Under this law and after approval by the legislature, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy designated critical dune areas (CDAs) in 1989 that would have special protections. From 2024-2025, EGLE contracted with GEI Consultants, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan Technological University, and Michigan State University to update the 1989 CDA atlas. The effort combined desktop reviews and field-based assessments to recommend additions, removals and corrections to the atlas based on geomorphological and ecological conditions. This presentation will provide an overview of the methodology used to assess the morphology, coastal processes, and ecology of Michigan’s dunes.