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While cornfields are abundant throughout the state, Michigan produces many more crops than just corn.

Specialty crops, which are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, flowers and other horticulture crops, are abundant in the Great Lake state.

The post Great Lakes microclimate good for specialty crops first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/11/09/great-lakes-microclimate-good-for-specialty-crops/

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An initiative to improve water quality throughout Ohio and Lake Erie is gaining ground — about a hundred acres to be exact. 

Wetlands have the potential to restore the water quality of the Great Lakes, though Navarro says that may take decades of dedicated wetland restoration.

The post Wetland restoration revives Ohio Lake first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/11/08/wetland-restoration-revives-ohio-lake/

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As automakers are beginning to make the switch to electric vehicles, the number of EV charging stations throughout the state is increasing, including at state parks. 

At the beginning of the year, five state parks and a fish hatchery had EV charging sites installed. 

The post Electric vehicle charging stations to be installed at more state parks first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/11/07/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-to-be-installed-at-more-state-parks/

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Public transportation is suffering from a lack of drivers in communities across Michigan. 

Clark Harder, the executive director of the Michigan Public Transit Association, said it’s a statewide problem.

The post Michigan struggles to fill public bus driver positions first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/11/01/michigan-struggles-to-fill-public-bus-driver-positions/

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As cities continue to expand, the amount of unused rooftop space grows too.

Steven Peck, the founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, said that flat roofs are wasted spaces. The organization is an association of the green roof and wall industry.

The post Green roofs are saving green dollars first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/31/green-roofs-are-saving-green-dollars/

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Michigan is set to receive $20.4 million from a federal grant to improve passenger and freight railroads around the state, including a bridge project in Wexford County. 

The Manistee River Train Bridge replacement project is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2027, according to MDOT.

The post Rail link upgrade expected to help northern Michigan businesses first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/30/rail-link-upgrade-expected-to-help-northern-michigan-businesses/

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The recent expansion of China-owned land in the U.S. is raising concerns about the food supply chain and affordable land in Michigan.

In the Midwest, Chinese entities own around 44,000 acres, which is about an eighth of such entity property holdings in the United States, according to the USDA.

The post Michigan eyeing foreign farmland ownership first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/26/michigan-eyeing-foreign-farmland-ownership/

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The world of collegiate sports is ever-growing as new sports come into the spotlight, but one is emerging that might be a surprise – bass fishing.

“We just have all kinds of sports that are maybe off the beaten path, but have a strong following,” he said.

The post Small college uses niche sport to boost enrollment first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/19/small-college-uses-niche-sport-to-boost-enrollment/

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Michigan ranks No. 1 in the country for producing the most milk per cow — and has been for the past few years. 

Although not the nation’s biggest overall milk producer, the state’s specialty in dairy has led farmers to find the most efficient way to get more milk from their herds.

The post Happy cows are healthy cows: Why Michigan’s cows produce the most milk first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/17/happy-cows-are-healthy-cows-why-michigans-cows-produce-the-most-milk/

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Michigan’s population is less healthy than the national average, ranking below most other states, including its Midwestern neighbors, in premature death rates, infant mortality rates and access to health care. 

The post State’s public health ranks low, study finds first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/16/states-public-health-ranks-low-study-finds/

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Historical redlining of neighborhoods still poses health threats to present-day residents, such as increased risk of diabetes, hypertension and early death from heart disease, according to a recent study by the National Library of Medicine. 

While redlining practices are not legal anymore, the effects still linger in historically redlined areas that typically have a high concentration of minority residents.

The post Historical redlining impacts still felt nearly a century later first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/15/historical-redlining-impacts-still-felt-nearly-a-century-later/

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The smell of cigar smoke lingers as visitors walk through the dark living quarters of Gulliver’s Seul Choix Point Lighthouse.

“There are so many public ghost towns,” Tedsen said. “But to me, paranormal is very important — it begs the question ‘is there life after death?’”

The post The tale of a haunted lighthouse first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/11/haunted-lighthouse/

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Feral cats have colonies across the state, and their inbreeding, overpopulation and constant pregnancies have caused these strays to multiply. 

Some feral cats are born with defects due to inbreeding. Misshapen heads, extra toes or crossed eyes could be results of incest among them.

The post Curbing feral cat populations in Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/10/curbing-feral-cat-populations-in-michigan/

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On Parman Road in Dansville, Michigan, is a hidden oasis of beauty called Along The Fence Daylilies. A flower farm run by Saundra Dunn and Mary Ann Cleary, this acre is home to around 12,000 plants.

The post State budgets and daylilies mix just fine first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/09/state-budgets-and-daylilies-mix-just-fine/

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Some state legislatures nationally are searching for ways to impose accountability for waste onto their manufacturing operations. Some environmental groups and lawmakers say Michigan should follow their lead.

The post States look at ways to deter waste from manufactured products first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/08/states-look-at-ways-to-deter-waste-from-manufactured-products/

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As lakes and rivers cool with the arrival of fall, avid swimmers may be at risk for illnesses due to contact with contaminated water.

That’s because of a health threat from Escherichia coli – familiarly known as E. coli.

The post Blame the geese – E. coli closes beaches first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/07/blame-the-geese-e-coli-closes-beaches/

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Now three of Michigan's four Great Lakes are back to historically normal levels, and the sandbags must go.

The post State environment officials request removal of sandbags along Great Lakes shorelines first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/07/11/state-environment-officials-request-removal-of-sandbags-along-great-lakes-shorelines/

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State park beaches across Michigan remain devoid of lifeguards to correct the flag system.

The post Great Lakes drownings bring updated flag system from DNR, concerns from others first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/07/06/great-lakes-drownings-bring-updated-flag-system-from-dnr-concerns-from-others/

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Michigan’s return rate on bottles and cans, which stood at nearly 89 percent before the pandemic, has plummeted below 76 percent.

The post Michigan bottle return rate fell after pandemic ban. Would price hike help? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/07/05/michigan-bottle-return-rate-fell-after-pandemic-ban-would-price-hike-help/

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By Jada Vasser A new book about the Great Lakes is written to reflect that their problems, solutions and champions are interrelated, much like the ecosystem it portrays. “This whole thing of bringing stakeholders together, creating a vision, co-producing knowledge, co-innovating solutions is in the book,” author John Hartig said. “You don’t get that anywhere […]

The post Great Lakes champs are part of the ecosystem they protect first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/05/18/great-lakes-champs-are-part-of-the-ecosystem-they-protect/

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Walleye and pike surveys start in early spring, followed by muskie surveys. In May, the DNR starts surveying general fish communities like panfish and bass, and from July to September it surveys streams.

The post Shocking news for Michigan fish first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/27/shocking-news-for-michigan-fish/

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The organization holds an annual “challenge” for communities to measure their progress toward advancing sustainability. 

The post Recycling gets positive reviews as green groups press for more action first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/14/recycling-gets-positive-reviews-as-green-groups-press-for-more-action/

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Other proposals that the state Department of Transportation and legislators are looking into include converting some highways into toll roads.

The post Mileage-based road tax ideas could stall out over privacy concerns first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/13/mileage-based-road-tax-ideas-could-stall-out-over-privacy-concerns/

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Most cemeteries are looking to provide green burial as an option, whether it’s immediately today or as part of their master plan.

The post More cemeteries offering green burials, recreational space first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/06/more-cemeteries-offering-green-burials-recreational-space/

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People are happy to pay for such services, even if the cost is higher than a regular bus ride.

The post More transit agencies add door-to-door services and ‘mobility wallets’ first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/03/more-transit-agencies-add-door-to-door-services-and-mobility-wallets/

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Strengthening the laws would be instrumental to us as we think about the future of this state and what is going to attract and retain people here.

The post Polluter-pay laws could return under Democratic majority first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/03/22/polluter-pay-laws-could-return-under-democratic-majority/

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Founded in 1986, Friends of the Rouge is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving the Rouge watershed through hands-on restoration, stewardship and education.

The post Toxic hotspot builds nontoxic community engagement first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/03/16/toxic-hotspot-builds-nontoxic-community-engagement-2/

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The new signs use phrases in the Anishinabemowin language, show archaeological pictures from discovery of the petroglyphs and talk about the plants and animals that call the park home.

The post Petroglyph park near Cass City to use Native language first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/03/10/petroglyph-park-near-cass-city-to-use-native-language/

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More modern versions have switched to a more conventional diesel engine, much quieter and much more fuel- efficient.

The post First-ever transit service hovercraft in North America plans to hit the water in summer 2023 first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/23/first-ever-transit-service-hovercraft-in-north-america-plans-to-hit-the-water-in-summer-2023/

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  By Elaine Mallon This is the second story in a 3-part Great Lakes Echo series on sustainable transport in the region With plans for an all-electric bus fleet by 2035, the University of Michigan will introduce its first four electric buses come next June. The $3.64 million purchase of the four electric buses falls […]

The post Four electric buses will hit University of Michigan’s campus next summer first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/22/four-electric-buses-will-hit-university-of-michigans-campus-next-summer/

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The Center for Community Transportation launched a new bikeshare service in November, Ithaca Bikeshare.

The post New bikeshare in Ithaca, New York hops on community biking trend first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/21/new-bikeshare-in-ithaca-new-york-hops-on-community-biking-trend/

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People need access to nature, and they need access within reaching distance of their homes, whether it's a walk or a bike because that helps with mental health and connection to community.

The post Greenspace starts with grassroots first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/17/greenspace-starts-with-grassroots-2/

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The program offers free seven-day entry passes for state parks. The passes can be checked out from participating local libraries and eliminate the cost associated with entering state parks. 

The post Free library program increases access to Minnesota state parks first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/14/free-library-program-increases-access-to-minnesota-state-parks/

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They're drawn to it because of some personal connection to whether it be the neighborhood they grew up in, the forest they've walked in, the lakes [where] they've smoked salmon. So it's a natural thing to tie environmental matters to personal experiences.

The post New book connects the environment with a love of dogs first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/09/new-book-connects-the-environment-with-a-love-of-dogs/

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In: Echo, plants, solutions

The lifecycle of microbes and plants creates a system that can filter and hold more water and nutrients, which provides a buffer against drought and unpredictable rain.

The post Oilseeds could help farmers and soil alike first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/07/oilseeds-could-help-farmers-and-soil-alike/

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