Fewer Michigan residents with sloppy backyard birds could be ticketed for potentially spreading disease among deer and elk under a bill the state Senate recently sent to the governor’s desk.
The post Backyard birders get a win in the Michigan legislature first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/06/backyard-birders-get-a-win-in-the-michigan-legislature/
Two pieces of legislation are churning Michigan’s political waters with different approaches to beach safety in state parks.
The post Beach safety enforcement: too much or too little? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/04/beach-safety-enforcement-too-much-or-too-little/
Trails that can accommodate strollers, wheelchairs with tank treads and baby changing stations in men’s bathrooms are part of a push to accommodate a surge of new visitors at Michigan state parks.
The post Michigan DNR expanding accessibility for more visitors first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/01/michigan-dnr-expanding-accessibility-for-more-visitors/
A program that gives low-income Michigan residents fresh fruit and vegetables and a path to healthier nutrition recently got a $2 million boost from state lawmakers.
The post Fresh produce more accessible for low-income Michigan residents first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/29/fresh-produce-more-accessible-for-low-income-michigan-residents/
2020 was a record year for visitors at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. But this year hasn't kept up.
The post Sleeping Bear Dunes visitation down for July and August first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/27/sleeping-bear-dunes-visitation-down-for-july-and-august/
Great Lakes Echo is one of 23 newsrooms in a climate collaborative representing both long-standing and emerging media groups.
The post New project promises to amplify reach of Great Lakes climate reporting first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/27/new-project-promises-to-amplify-reach-of-great-lakes-climate-reporting/
Proposed state regulation of sand and gravel mining would wrest control from local authorities and could lead to a similar loss of authority over other issues, according to local and environmental officials.
The post Push for state regulation of sand and gravel mining draws opposition in Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/23/push-for-state-regulation-of-sand-and-gravel-mining-draws-opposition-in-michigan/
Michigan’s hemp industry could get up to $100 million in federal funds to help it compete globally under a proposal pushed by a nationwide growers association.
The post Michigan’s growing hemp industry faces roadblocks first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/21/michigans-growing-hemp-industry-faces-roadblocks/
The fate of Traverse City, Michigan’s FishPass project will be decided in court.
The post FishPass stays off November ballot, will be decided in appeals court first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/07/fishpass-stays-off-november-ballot-will-be-decided-in-appeals-court/
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is expanding its testing capacity for monitoring a family of so-called “forever chemicals” called PFAS.
The post Michigan expanding PFAS testing capacity first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/03/michigan-expanding-pfas-testing-capacity/
After birds lay their eggs and their fledglings take off in the spring, you might have an empty bird box at this point. Should you clean out the nest they leave behind?
The post Clean your birdhouses regularly? first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/01/clean-your-birdhouses-regularly/
Michigan State University Extension is conducting a program to help monitor an invasive moth species.
The post Homeowners to track invasive moths first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/30/homeowners-to-track-invasive-moths/
The Adopt-a-Forest program is volunteer-driven and helps people engage with the outdoors and encourages them to keep public lands clean, the state Department of Natural Resources says.
The post ‘Adopt-a-Forest’ program encourages citizens to clean up public land first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/16/adopt-a-forest-program-encourages-citizens-to-clean-up-public-land/
Freshwater turtles have become less abundant in coastal areas of Greater Toronto that have significantly decreased wetlands.
The post Depleted wetlands impact freshwater turtles in Toronto first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/09/depleted-wetlands-impact-freshwater-turtles-in-toronto/
In Thousand Islands, New York, near Lake Ontario, between the United States and Canada, you can find four different origin stories for Thousand Island dressing, three of which involve a woman named May Irwin.
The post Thousand Island Dressing Mystery: Great Lakes origins of one of America’s favorite sauces first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/04/thousand-island-dressing-mystery-great-lakes-origins-of-one-of-americas-favorite-sauces/
Piping plovers, a small white-and-gray shorebird with striking orange legs, are making a comeback this summer – on the beach and at the bar.
The post Birds and Brews: Pour one out for the piping plover first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/07/30/birds-and-brews-pour-one-out-for-the-piping-plover/
Parks around the Great Lakes are expecting a spike in visitation this season as the United States and Canada continue to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.
The post Second Spike: Great Lakes parks anticipate increased visitation this summer first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/07/28/second-spike-great-lakes-parks-anticipate-increased-visitation-this-summer/
Canada has nine sailors heading to the Olympics, six of which hail from the Great Lakes. Sarah Douglas is one of them.
The post Sarah Douglas: From Lake Ontario to the Tokyo Olympics first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/07/26/sarah-douglas-from-lake-ontario-to-the-tokyo-olympics/
Mosquitoes are out in full force this summer, which also means a risk of mosquito-borne illnesses.
The post Michigan county health department on lookout for mosquito-borne diseases first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/07/23/michigan-county-health-department-on-lookout-for-mosquito-borne-diseases/
Since 1988, the Isle Royale Moosewatch Expedition has sought volunteer backpackers for a community science project.
The post Search for Isle Royale’s bone bounty yields environmental clues, new friends, wilderness salvation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/07/21/search-for-isle-royales-bone-bounty-yields-environmental-clues-new-friends-wilderness-salvation/
Only 35% of the officials said that climate change was a priority in their department, even though over three quarters said it will be a problem in the future.
The post Local health departments in Michigan acknowledge threat of climate change to public health first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/07/19/local-health-departments-in-michigan-acknowledge-threat-of-climate-change-to-public-health/
Scientists from the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station first noticed an invasive population of zebra mussels in Gull Lake in the mid-1990s.
The post Researchers find relationship between invasive zebra mussels, toxic algae first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/07/08/researchers-find-relationship-between-invasive-zebra-mussels-toxic-algae/
In an effort to battle invasive species, Michigan State University is becoming a more welcoming place for bees, butterflies and other native pollinators.
The post Campus works to become more pollinator-friendly first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/07/02/campus-works-to-become-more-pollinator-friendly/
Michigan farmers, especially soybean farmers, could benefit from higher sales to Cuba, state agricultural organizations say.
The post Michigan farmers could benefit from easing trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba, experts say first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/28/michigan-farmers-could-benefit-from-easing-trade-relations-between-the-u-s-and-cuba-experts-say/
Although Great Lakes water levels are down, the risk of coastal erosion remains high, Michigan State University researchers say. Now, the researchers are enlisting “citizen scientists” to assist in helping better understand coastal change.
The post Researchers seek volunteers to document coastal erosion in Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/23/researchers-seek-volunteers-to-document-coastal-erosion-in-michigan/
A look at Peninsula Point in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The post Butterflies, beaches & a lighthouse first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/09/butterflies-beaches-a-lighthouse/
Toxins from harmful algal blooms are known to pollute water, but now researchers are looking at how they harm Great Lakes air.
The post Great Lakes algae threatens air quality first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/04/great-lakes-algae-threatens-air-quality/
A historic archaeological site on the shore of the Grand River in Ottawa County’s Crockery Township may contain the largest collection of Upper Great Lakes cache pits ever excavated.
The post Abandoned food caches offer evidence of Native American survival strategies first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/02/abandoned-food-caches-offer-evidence-of-native-american-survival-strategies/
As electric vehicle demands grow, one focus of concern is how to make them more environmentally sustainable.
The post Companies team up to support electric vehicle recycling in Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/06/01/companies-team-up-to-support-electric-vehicle-recycling-in-michigan/
How attached you are to your community can determine how motivated you are to tackle climate change.
The post Attachment to your community can motivate climate change action first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/27/attachment-to-your-community-can-motivate-climate-change-action/
The food industry may be getting closer to the introduction of lab-grown, or cultured, meats.
The post Advocates look to labs for replacements to farm-raised meats first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/26/advocates-look-to-labs-for-replacements-to-farm-raised-meats/
More fishing trips could cause more damage to native fish populations in the Canadian portion of the Great Lakes than aquatic invasive species, according to a recent study.
The post New anglers could depress Great Lakes fish populations more than invasive species first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/25/new-anglers-could-depress-great-lakes-fish-populations-more-than-invasive-species/
Despite the cataclysmic effects the pandemic had on Michigan’s county fair events in 2020, most are expected to take place this year, at least in some form.
The post Despite last year’s cancellations, county fairs are coming back in Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/21/despite-last-years-cancellations-county-fairs-are-coming-back-in-michigan/
Organizations are striving to make nature accessible to everyone.
The post Trails become friendlier for users with disabilities first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/20/trails-become-friendlier-for-users-with-disabilities/
A new report about combining solar power and farming practices has advocates saying the practice could take hold in Michigan, boosting productivity while providing much needed refuge for bees and other pollinators.
The post Crops grown under solar panels and pollinator habitats could be wave of the future first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/19/crops-grown-under-solar-panels-and-pollinator-habitats-could-be-wave-of-the-future/
As the COVID-19 pandemic closed animal shelters to the public, Detroit-area pet rescue and adoption organizations had to come up with new ways to connect their dogs and cats to families.
The post Pandemic creates challenges, opportunities for animal shelters first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/18/pandemic-creates-challenges-opportunities-for-animal-shelters/
Demand for mountain bikes has skyrocketed.
The post Mountain biking sees popularity climb during pandemic first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/18/mountain-biking-sees-popularity-climb-during-pandemic/
Urban areas are getting hotter. Trees can help.
The post Trees please: A move to reforest formerly redlined Great Lakes cities first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/17/trees-please-a-move-to-reforest-formerly-redlined-great-lakes-cities/
A new Environmental Protection Agency mobile app will help communities track water quality at their beaches.
The post A new EPA app aims to help track water quality at beaches first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/14/a-new-epa-app-aims-to-help-track-water-quality-at-beaches/
Early editions of electric hybrid buses in Michigan proved unreliable. But with the return of the wave of electrification in 2021, has anything changed?
The post Advancements in electric buses making green transit more accessible for rural areas first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/13/advancements-in-electric-buses-making-green-transit-more-accessible-for-rural-areas/
Despite setbacks from the pandemic, a food waste reduction company has diverted over 50 million pounds of food from landfills.
The post Waste reduction app diverts food from landfills first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/12/waste-reduction-app-diverts-food-from-landfills/
Coastal wind is a strong, consistent power source and Michigan’s more than 3,000 miles of coast could provide double the electricity residents used from all sources in 2019.
The post Offshore wind could provide double the electricity Michiganders used in 2019 first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/11/offshore-wind-could-provide-double-the-electricity-michiganders-used-in-2019/
Several thousand miles of hiking, multi-use, equestrian, motorized, fishing access and mountain biking trails across Ohio are mapped in a new app from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The post Ohioans DETOUR on recreational trails with free app first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/10/ohioans-detour-on-recreational-trails-with-free-app/
Michigan is number eight in a national ranking by the State Farm insurance company of where drivers are most likely to collide with an animal.
The post Commentary: Mourning roadkill first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/07/commentary-mourning-roadkill/
Reinstatement of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program could provide significant funding for many habitat projects this year, the department said.
The post Michigan offers $1 million to improve wildlife habitat first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/06/michigan-offers-1-million-to-improve-wildlife-habitat/
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide states, territories and tribes with $1.4 billion annually to protect important species and their associated habitats.
The post Congress considers once-in-a-generation bill for conservation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/06/congress-considers-once-in-a-generation-bill-for-conservation/
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would provide states, territories and tribes with $1.4 billion annually to protect important species and their associated habitats.
The post Congress considers once-in-a-generation bill for conservation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/06/congress-considers-once-in-a-generation-bill-for-conservation/
A type of algae that a recent study found collects microfibers brings up questions about microplastic pollution impacts and how it could affect human health.
The post Algae may vacuum microplastics, but also indicates greater health threat first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/05/algae-may-vacuum-microplastics-but-also-indicates-greater-health-threat/
As pandemic restrictions pushed people outdoors in 2020, visitors sought refuge in the National Parks System.
The post Great Lakes National Parks see record visitors in 2020 first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/04/great-lakes-national-parks-see-record-visitors-in-2020/
The new hitchhikers in the Great Lakes region aren’t stopping drivers with a thumbs up. They’re riding moss balls across the ocean.
The post Forget freighter ballast, these mussels got here on moss balls first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/05/03/forget-freighter-ballast-these-mussels-got-here-on-moss-balls/
