Ultrasonic acoustic detectors are being used to detect and identify the northern flying squirrel that is endangered in Pennsylvania.
The post High tech surveillance tracks endangered flying squirrels first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/15/high-tech-surveillance-tracks-endangered-flying-squirrels/
Scientists at Michigan State University are researching how to combat an agricultural parasite infecting hopyards across the state.
The post Researchers battle tiny menace to craft beers first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/14/researchers-battle-tiny-menace-to-craft-beers/
A scientist may have found a native aquatic plant in Ohio that was once thought to be wiped out in the state. The watermilfoil species has not been seen in Ohio in at least 20 years.
The post Lost and found: native aquatic plant in Ohio first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/10/lost-and-found-native-aquatic-plant-in-ohio/
The bothersome gypsy moth will now be known as the spongy moth. The Entomological Society of America made the change because the word “gypsy” is considered a derogatory slur against the Romani people. The word was dropped from its list of common names last July and the new name was just announced.
The post Invasive species now called spongy moth first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/07/2147874/
March is a big time for underwater storms. The combination of melting snow, saturated soils, and rain falling on frozen ground means that the most frequent and most severe floods typically occur in March here in Michigan. These floods may carry 100 or even 1000 times as much water as the stream carries on a dry summer day.
The post March: Stormy Weather first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/04/march-stormy-weather/
New legislation in Ontario can result in a fine if boats are not cleaned properly when they are moved from one body of water and into another. Boaters are now required to drain water from their boat and equipment and remove aquatic plants, animals and algae from boats, equipment, vehicles and trailers, according to the new rules. It is now illegal to place a boat in any body of water if there are aquatic weeds, animals or algae still on it.
The post New Ontario watercraft regulations fight invasive species first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/03/new-ontario-watercraft-regulations-fight-invasive-species/
Researchers in Ohio are getting ready to expand one of seven treatments for a widespread disease that kills beech trees. The invasive beech leaf disease causes dark striping on leaves and makes them thick, leathery and disfigured before killing the tree.
The post Hope spreads for infected trees first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/02/hope-spreads-for-infected-trees/
Michigan Sea Grant recently announced four new research projects with one common goal — protecting the Great Lakes. It committed almost $1 million to the projects, including $225,000 from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. In addition, university research partners contributed over $500,000 in matching funds. Their major topics are water use, walleye, invasive mussel larvae and harmful algae blooms.
The post More money allocated for Great Lakes research first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/01/more-money-allocated-for-great-lakes-research/
Last year, the U.S. ski industry had its fifth-busiest season, according to the National Ski Areas Association, and interest in the slopes shows no signs of slowing down in Michigan for the 2021-22 season.
The post Downhill ski business booming in Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/28/downhill-ski-business-booming-in-michigan/
As the megadrought in the Western U.S. worsens, calls for freshwater diversions from the Great Lakes to the West have grown increasingly popular. Water diversion from the Great Lakes harms not only the ecosystem, but also the cultural significance of water, according to MIchigan environmental policy expert.
The post Protecting Great Lakes requires more than policy changes, argues longtime Michigan environmental policy expert first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/23/protecting-great-lakes-requires-more-than-policy-changes-argues-longtime-michigan-environmental-policy-expert/
The Great Lakes Water Authority plans to increase the ability of its water and wastewater systems to cope with flooding and other severe weather conditions under a capital improvement plan to be carried out over five years. The investment will consist of 182 projects from 2023 to 2027 in the region at a cost of approximately $1.73 billion.
The post Projects aim to stop flooding of homes, businesses first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/22/projects-aim-to-stop-flooding-of-homes-businesses/
Acknowledging Native American ties to the land that Michigan universities occupy can make a powerful statement honoring the traditional history and culture. A land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples as stewards of the land where an institution is located. Acknowledgments are often executed through signs on campuses, email signatures and statements read before organized events.
The post Universities link Native American homelands to campus sites first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/21/universities-link-native-american-homelands-to-campus-sites/
Despite having some of the worst air quality in Chicago, as documented in the city’s most recent Air Quality and Health Report, industry continues to relocate to the Southeast Side.
The post Chicago’s Southeast Side community holds its breath as new industry threatens to move in first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/18/chicagos-southeast-side-community-holds-its-breath-as-new-industry-threatens-to-move-in/
Many people, including researchers, have regarded Detroit as a food desert. Yet the term food desert is no longer correct in describing all of Detroit. The U.S. Department of Agriculture considers a census tract to be a food desert based on its poverty rate and the proportion of residents living more than a mile from a supermarket or large grocery store.
The post Detroit’s status as ‘food desert’ challenged first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/17/detroits-status-as-food-desert-challenged/
Just 2 miles south of Cohoes, New York, sits the Saratoga Sites public housing community and the Norlite Hazardous Waste Incinerator. Smoke and dust from Norlite's hazardous waste incinerator cause daily problems for Saratoga Sites residents.
The post PFAS incineration and experimental science heighten concerns over environmental discrimination first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/16/pfas-incineration-and-experimental-science-heighten-concerns-over-environmental-discrimination/
In some states, the Department of Natural Resources offers an annual seed collection program. Anyone with a dry container can collect pine cones and seeds from trees and redeem them at listed nurseries for cash. The program is available in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Requirements for collection vary by state and species, but all seeds must be collected from trees of natural origin, not planted.
The post Backyard clean-up brings big bucks first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/15/backyard-clean-up-brings-big-bucks/
By Hope O’Dell Capital News Service In the age of Uber and Lyft, public transportation is still the only viable option for many Michigan residents. “Sometimes on the weekend, or if you catch the right person, you might be able to grab an Uber, but it’s not regular service like that,” said Kelly Getman-Dissette, the […]
The post Dial-a-ride services struggle with driver shortage first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/14/dial-a-ride-services-struggle-with-driver-shortage/
A new book explores the interconnected layers of the Great Lakes, from the leadership of local native tribes to the concerning intensity of resource extraction. The book took several years to write to fully and accurately capture a cohesive picture of the Great Lakes and their histories.
The post New book explores ecological odyssey of the Great Lakes first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/11/new-book-explores-ecological-odyssey-of-the-great-lakes/
The Michigan Public Transit Association has launched an information advocacy campaign to fill hiring needs and increase ridership. The advocacy initiative includes television, radio, billboard and social media campaigns and is expected to continue into May.
The post New advocacy campaign boosts public transit first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/10/new-advocacy-campaign-boosts-public-transit/
In a small back room of an aquarium in a Michigan suburban mall lies a tank of endangered corals native to places more than a thousand miles away.
The post Suburban Michigan aquarium an ark for Florida corals first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/09/suburban-michigan-aquarium-an-ark-for-florida-corals/
Michigan ranks eighth in the country for potato production and contributes about $1.2 billion annually to the state’s economy. Disease is a common concern among farmers, inspiring research partnerships.
The post Potato research helps grow Michigan crop first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/08/potato-research-helps-grow-michigan-crop/
Great Lakes Echo · Decommissioned Nuclear Plants in the Great Lakes Region By Cameryn Cass Editor’s note: This is part of a package of two articles and a podcast about nuclear power in Michigan. As Michigan and other states gradually move away from coal and other brown energy sources, there’s growing interest in carbon-free alternatives, […]
The post Nuclear power concerns outlast decommissioning first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/04/nuclear-power-concerns-outlast-decommissioning/
Eight nuclear reactors at six sites have been shut down permanently in the Great Lakes region. Proper decommissioning takes approximately 30 years to complete. Strict procedures and laws set by the NRC and other agencies are intended to ensure that U.S. nuclear plants operate and decommission in a way that is safe for the environment and public. While no accidents at nuclear plants in the Great Lakes region have had a severe impact on water quality, government officials are still debating the proper way to store nuclear fuel and the impacts it can make.
The post Decommissioned nuclear plants are no harm to water if closed properly, experts say first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/03/decommissioned-nuclear-plants-are-no-harm-to-water-if-closed-properly-experts-say/
Banning natural gas hookups in new homes and businesses at the local level is the latest example of environmental extremism, according to Michigan state Sen. Dale Zorn, R-Ida, who proposes prohibiting local bans.
The post Michigan lawmaker wants to block ban of natural gas hookups first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/02/michigan-lawmaker-wants-to-block-ban-of-natural-gas-hookups/
In the Great Lakes region there are community fridges in such major cities as Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, Cleveland and Toronto. Community fridges are working fridges, usually connected to an organization, that provide free food to passersby. The concept is to take what you need and bring what you can.
The post Community fridges: Radical solutions to food insecurity, waste and cultural stigmas first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/01/community-fridges-radical-solutions-to-food-insecurity-waste-and-cultural-stigmas/
As local governments wrestle with the question of how to spend their share of American Rescue Plan Act money from Washington, some are earmarking it to improve broadband access and affordability for their residents.
The post Rural internet access competes with other needs for federal aid first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/31/rural-internet-access-competes-with-other-needs-for-federal-aid/
By Rachel Duckett As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden made a series of energy-related promises, including net-zero emissions by 2050 and the launch of “a national effort aimed at creating the jobs we need to build a modern, sustainable infrastructure now and deliver an equitable clean energy future.” Last August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate […]
The post Identifying Michigan’s top energy issues first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/28/identifying-michigans-top-energy-issues-of-2021/
103 years after National Geographic published its article on berries, Michigan is witnessing some changes due to climate change and invasive species.
The post Threats to the native berries amongst us first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/27/threats-to-the-native-berries-amongst-us/
Michigan students now can test watershed quality and model how groundwater flows in three dimensions with a new state classroom initiative. The Environmental Education Resource Lending Station became available in early December to Michigan educators through the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Classroom Initiative.
The post Michigan classrooms gain access to hands-on help for learning conservation science first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/26/michigan-classrooms-gain-access-to-hands-on-help-for-learning-conservation-science/
The National Park Service recently placed Fishtown on the National Register of Historic Places, an official list of over 96,000 historic properties nationwide considered worthy of preservation.
The post Fishing heritage in Leland gets preservation boost first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/25/fishing-heritage-in-leland-gets-preservation-boost/
Even as community water systems are praised by the state for maintaining fluoride levels, others are still holding out.
The post Some communities in Michigan opt out of fluoridation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/24/some-communities-in-michigan-opt-out-of-fluoridation/
Michigan’s top five safest small cities are all in Oakland County, according to a recent national study. Safety was calculated by factoring in the violent-crime rate, property-crime rate and motor vehicle crash deaths per capita.
The post Oakland County home to many of Michigan’s safest small cities first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/21/oakland-county-home-to-many-of-michigans-safest-small-cities/
Flint ranked the worst for economic health in Michigan small cities in a recent report by WalletHub, a personal finance organization that tracks financial and other trends. To evaluate economic health, the study looked at population, job and income growth, along with the unemployment rate.
The post Economic health affects other indicators of livability first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/20/economic-health-affects-other-indicators-of-livability/
Holland, Michigan ranks number one in the state for quality of life in “Best Small Cities in America,” a study published by WalletHub, a personal finance website that tracks financial and other trends. It is one of five measures the study used to rank the desirability of small cities. Quality of life was assessed by measures like average commute time, city walkability and number of bars, restaurants and cultural centers per capita.
The post Holland ranks first in quality of life for Michigan small cities first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/19/holland-ranks-first-in-quality-of-life-for-michigan-small-cities/
By Anna Traver, Payton Wells and Hope O’Dell Great Lakes Echo Editor’s note: A recent study evaluated the quality of 1,322 U.S. small cities by five measures. This story is part of a series taking a closer look at one measure as it relates to the 39 Michigan cities in the study. HOLT – It’s […]
The post Some Michigan small cities are more affordable than others first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/18/some-michigan-small-cities-are-more-affordable-than-others/
State officials are publishing data from 19 Michigan sewage treatment plants and more than 400 wastewater collection systems to create an early warning system for COVID-19 outbreaks.
The post COVID-19 in sewage is new gauge on state dashboard first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/17/covid-19-in-sewage-is-new-gauge-on-state-dashboard/
With art ranging in size from giant mobiles to miniature paintings, artists from across the country are collaborating to face the climate crisis with a new exhibit in metro Detroit.
The post New Detroit art exhibit addresses climate crisis with hope first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/14/new-detroit-art-exhibit-addresses-climate-crisis-with-hope/
Reports of wildlife crime have reached their highest levels on record while related arrests are trending downward, according to new data from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The post Illegal hunting complaints reach record numbers during pandemic, arrests down first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/13/illegal-hunting-complaints-reach-record-numbers-during-pandemic-arrests-down/
DTE Energy and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have teamed up to use nature’s most powerful vacuums to suck up the excess carbon produced and released into the atmosphere that is causing climate change. Those vacuums are trees.
The post Pigeon River Country to help offset Michigan emissions first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/12/pigeon-river-country-to-help-offset-michigan-emissions/
As Michigan feels the effects of a changing climate, agriculture experts say they can adapt to keep Michigan farms running.
The post Farmers chase migrating crops in a warming climate first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/11/farmers-chase-migrating-crops-in-a-warming-climate/
Michigan State University and the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians are fighting climate change while preserving Anishinaabeg cultural practices.
The post Center combines Indigenous and Western knowledge to fight climate change first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/07/center-combines-indigenous-and-western-knowledge-to-fight-climate-change/
Growing crops, trees and livestock on the same land could help farmers battle climate change.
The post Trees, crops, livestock mix fights climate change first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/06/trees-crops-livestock-mix-fights-climate-change/
From insect-based dog food to fusion energy, solutions to climate change vary wildly, but there’s one mundane solution that affects nearly everyone—building codes.
The post Enlist building codes for climate fight first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/05/enlist-building-codes-for-climate-fight/
Low-income households consume three times the energy used by middle class families, according to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
The post Climate challenge: Let the sun power low-income families first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/04/climate-challenge-let-the-sun-power-low-income-families/
In the western Upper Peninsula, climate change is hurting local food sources.
The post Community gardens help Michigan adapt to climate change first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/03/community-gardens-help-michigan-adapt-to-climate-change/
Sunday morning strolls to the farmers market could include a few stumbles home if distillers are given permits to sell at them.
The post Michigan farmers markets look to add local distillery samplings first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/30/michigan-farmers-markets-look-to-add-local-distillery-samplings/
A case for thinking about nature on a different timescale.
The post Living with fossils first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/29/living-with-fossils/
Michigan residents would pay 3 to 6 cents more for a bottle of water under a plan to sustain Great Lakes water improvements.
The post Can a bottled water royalty help preserve the Great Lakes? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/28/can-a-bottled-water-royalty-help-preserve-the-great-lakes/
Recently, eco-friendly living has led to a surge of low-waste stores rapidly popping up across the region.
The post Packaging-free stores spread sustainable shopping first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/23/packaging-free-stores-spread-sustainable-shopping/
People charged with neglecting and abusing animals would have to pay for the animals’ shelter expenses during their court proceedings, if recently introduced legislation becomes law.
The post Michigan pet owners mistreating their animals may have to pay shelter costs first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/22/michigan-pet-owners-mistreating-their-animals-may-have-to-pay-shelter-costs/
