Michigan Sea Grant is the recipient of an Award of Excellence from the National Association of Government Communicators for graphic design. Judges awarded Vacant Property Now & Tomorrow a score of 65 out of a possible 70 points for the design, illustrations and overall impression of the publication.

"(It is an) excellent public information piece targeting a broad audience of stakeholders,"said Heather Geyer, judge for the National Association of Government Communicators.

Todd Marsee,  Michigan Sea Grant's senior graphic designer, and Elizabeth LaPorte, director of communication and education services, provided the page layout, printing coordination and creative direction for the publication. LaPorte and Marsee worked closely with Professor Joan Iverson Nassauer, a professor of Landscape Architecture at the School of Natural Resources and Environment, and graduate assistant Rebekah VanWieren on the content, design and overall tone of the publication.

Iverson Nassauer and MLA/MS student VanWieren co-authored the publication. Vacant Property is a summary of a research project of the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment and the Genesee County Land Bank Authority.

To read the complete article about the award, see:
Michigan Sea Grant News
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/news/2009/12-vacant-property-brochure-aw...
 
To order a free copy of the publication, see:
Michigan Sea Grant Bookstore
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/store