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In: ag event, Agriculture

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is excited to host a Field Day event with Outagamie County at VandeWettering Farms in Greenleaf. Farmers are invited to come learn about virtual grazing, grazing on marginal land, and ravine restoration. Please direct any questions to Katie Woodrow, Lower Fox River Program Director: katie@fwwa.org, 920-915-5767.

The post Virtual Grazing Field Day appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2023/10/18/virtual-grazing-field-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=virtual-grazing-field-day

Katie Woodrow

On:
In: Agriculture, Eric Kastelic, flooding, groundwater, land use, loheide, monitoring, steve, well, wri

 

Researcher Steve Loheide spent much of his childhood on the banks of Crystal, Fish and Mud lakes in northern Dane County, Wisconsin. “I used to ride my bike between Fish Lake and Mud Lake. And they’re now one lake – they’re combined,” says Loheide.

Water levels in Crystal, Fish and Mud lakes have fluctuated drastically for at least a century. In his office, Loheide keeps a copy of a 1914 newspaper clipping titled “Crystal Lake, dried up, again filling with water.” According to the article, Crystal Lake dried up in the early 1900s and farmers started growing crops on the former lake bottom. But by 1914, water was starting to return.

Today, the lake is overflowing its banks, causing destruction of homes, businesses and crop land. During Loheide’s lifetime, he has witnessed a 17 foot increase in the water level in Fish Lake. This experience inspired Loheide, now an ecohydrology professor at UW-Madison’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, to embark on a research project to understand why groundwater flooding is plaguing these lakes and what we can do about it.

Aerial photo of a flooded lake.
Crystal, Fish and Mud lakes are located in the upper Yahara watershed in South Central Wisconsin.

“Groundwater flooding is perhaps a little bit more insidious” than surface water flooding, Loheide said. The groundwater flooding at these internally drained basin lakes is caused by a slowly rising water table. What is causing the water table to rise? Loheide and his collaborators professor emeritus Ken Potter and Ph.D. student Eric Kastelic ask that question in their project Biomanipulation of Groundwater Flooding, funded by the Wisconsin Water Resources Institute.

According to Kastelic, groundwater flooding in the area is likely due to multiple factors, like changes in both precipitation and land use over the last 100 years. “This part of Wisconsin used to predominately be tallgrass prairie and oak savanna,” said Kastelic. A century ago, settlers transitioned the landscape to shallow-rooted row crop agriculture. 

Loheide and Kastelic hypothesize that this transition from deep-rooted to shallow-rooted plants, paired with climate change, has affected the water table. As part of the project, the team will be documenting the changing water table and creating a model to study the feedbacks between land use change and climate change in hydrologic systems. “We want to model this system and determine if we had more trees on the landscape, would we see less groundwater flooding?” says Loheide.

The research team hopes the data can help communities, like those surrounding Crystal, Fish and Mud lakes, build resilient landscapes. If the research shows that large-scale tree plantings could be a viable solution to groundwater flooding in internally drained basins, Loheide could see this being explored as a strategy to help vulnerable communities.

Watch the new video here.

The post Could trees prevent groundwater flooding? [New video] first appeared on WRI.

Original Article

News Release | WRI

News Release | WRI

https://www.wri.wisc.edu/news/groundwater-flooding/

Bonnie Willison

On:
In: Agriculture, air seeder, Bay of Green Bay, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, FWWA, interseeder, interseeding, Keepers of the Fox, low disturbance manure application, Lower Fox River, NEW Water, no till drill, non point pollution, Oneida Nation, Outagamie County, Outreach and Education, phosphorus, planter, restoration, roller crimper, runoff, sediment, shed, soil health, soil health education and demonstration, Surface water, trial plot, Water quality

When making conservation plans, producers and conservation professionals alike want to know the impact that farm practices have on our local water.  Through work funded by Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance and Outagamie County have developed a Farm Progress Report to tell the story of conservation, one farm at a time.

The Farm Progress Report utilizes data from SNAP+, a program widely used by Wisconsin farmers, to generate modeled soil and phosphorus loss on each field based on soil type, phosphorus test results, and field management (tillage, manure management, crop cycle, etc).

This information is then compiled to create per field and per farm loss data, which is compared to the local conservation goal of 1 lb per acre per year of phosphorus loss and 0.5 tons per acre per year of soil loss.  This information is visualized in the Farm Progress Report through simple to read graphs that include the annual average compared to the community goal as well as tables that list the top ten fields to improve.

The Farm Progress Report has two purposes:

  1. Farm Knowledge: For farmers to understand the impact of their current farm practices on water quality, the goals for the community, and how they can make changes on their farm to improve their phosphorus and soil loss
  2. Communication: Farmers can utilize the Farm Progress Report to communicate with their local communities to show the positive impact they are having as well as to their processors to show that they have adopted conservation practices that may meet the processor’s environmental standards

A Farm Progress report was generated for each producer participating in the GLRI grant project and Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance and Outagamie County LWCD met with each farm, along with their agronomist.  The Farm Progress Report was presented to each farm with an explanation of where the data was derived from, the community goal, and where their current farm practices compared to the goal.  Feedback was solicited from the producer and their agronomist on the information presented and the response was positive.  Producers understood the how the data was derived, how their on-field practices generated that data, and were interested in the potential of using the Farm Progress Report to communicate the great work they are doing to meet conservation goals in their watershed.

Further work will need to be done to streamline the data collection and input process and to ensure that the SNAP+ system is used consistently across the basin.  Overall, the Farm Progress Report was well received by farmers and they expressed interest in continuing to use it to watch their progress toward improving water quality.  Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance intends to continue developing the report and promoting its widespread adoption to producers outside of this project.

Questions? Contact us:

Basin Agriculture Coordinator: Justin Loehrke, 920.841-6938 or justin@fwwwa.org

Climate Smart Agriculture Project Manager: Katie Woodrow, 920.915.5767 or katie@fwwa.org

To receive periodic updates on these projects as well as many others, please subscribe to our newsletters: CLICK HERE

The post Farm Progress Report – A Tool to Tell the Conservation Story appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2023/09/29/farm-progress-report/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=farm-progress-report

Katie Woodrow

On:
In: Agriculture, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Groundwater Contamination, indigenous communities, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Minnesota, News, pollution, wild rice
Minnesota Tribe Sets Enforceable Rules To Safeguard Wild Rice and Water Supply

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/minnesota-tribe-enforceable-rules-safeguard-wild-rice-water-supply/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Agriculture, announcement, employment, Employment Opportunities, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Hiring, Job, Water quality, Winnebago Waterways, Wolf River

GIS Analyst – Full-Time

In support of Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance (Fox-Wolf)’s mission, the GIS Analyst is responsible for providing technical support to further the awareness of Fox-Wolf’s work to advance water quality. Duties include but are not limited to a wide range of work including: needs assessments, database design, application design, data development, software development and installation, cartographic mapping, user training, acceptance testing, rollout support, and technical support. The successful candidate will utilize project management principles to manage projects within time, scope and budget, work effectively with partners, and coordinate tasks with multi-faceted project teams. We are looking for a self-motivated, independent and detail-oriented individual who is passionate about the mission of Fox-Wolf.

This position reports to the Winnebago Waterways Director and will work on the following tasks:

● Design, monitor, and maintain the structure and integrity of the Fox-Wolf GIS database

● Own GIS data creation (compilation, editing, conversion of non-spatial data, digitization) and data management

(organization and structure, quality control) tasks

● Work closely with program directors to create systems to collect, analyze, and visualize a variety of data metrics to

show progress in implementation of water quality efforts

● Facilitate partner Land and Water Conservation Department staff in tracking and reporting adoption and

environmental and financial outcomes resulting from the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices

● Maintain and build relationships with conservation partners by providing training and support for conservation staff

● Support the Lower Fox Director in managing the Climate Smart Commodities grant project including standardized data collection, management, and reporting




Full Position Description

To apply, email resume and cover letter to jessica@fwwa.org

The post GIS Analyst appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2023/06/26/gis-analyst/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gis-analyst

Sharon Cook

On:
In: Agriculture, announcement, employment, Employment Opportunities, Fox-Wolf Basin, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Hiring, Job, Water quality, Winnebago Waterways, Wolf River

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is growing! Join Us!

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is currently seeking the right person to join our team as Agriculture Outreach Coordinator!

Ag Outreach Coordinator – Full-Time

In support of Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance’s mission, the Ag Outreach Coordinator is responsible for providing outreach support to further the awareness of Fox-Wolf’s work to advance water quality through agricultural initiatives and supporting the Climate Smart Commodities grant project. This position requires a motivated individual with an ability to develop outreach materials that connect with their intended audience. We are looking for a self-motivated, independent and detail-oriented individual who is passionate about the mission of Fox-Wolf.

This position reports to the Lower Fox Director and will work on the following tasks:

● Engage members of the public in water quality efforts to increase community knowledge of water quality issues and the impact of agriculture

● Work closely with Fox-Wolf agriculture team to further the adoption of soil health practices across the region

● Support partner Land and Water Conservation Department staff in tracking and reporting adoption and environmental and financial outcomes resulting from the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices

● Maintain and build relationships with conservation partners by providing training and support for conservation staff, documenting partner achievements, and promoting the importance of boots on the ground

● Support the Lower Fox Director in managing the Climate Smart Commodities grant project including data collection and management and commodity market development



Full Position Description

To apply, email resume and cover letter to jessica@fwwa.org

The post Now hiring! Agriculture Outreach Coordinator appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2023/06/21/ag-outreach-coordinator/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ag-outreach-coordinator

Sharon Cook

On:
In: Agriculture, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Climate, Collaboration, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice
U.S. Pushes Farmers to Develop A New Crop: Energy

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/us-pushes-farmers-develop-new-crop-energy/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Agriculture, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Climate, Climate change, Collaboration, Drinking Water, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Global Warming, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
U.S. Counts on “Climate-Smart” Farms to Slow Global Warming

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/04/climate-smart-farms-slow-global-warming/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Agriculture, ducks, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, habitat, harbor, kalbus, lwcd, planting, project, restoration, team snw, volunteer, volunteer opportunity, Water quality, wetland, Winnebago, Winnebago County, Winnebago Waterways, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, WWA

We are looking for 10-15 volunteers to help plant 2,720 plant plugs for a wetland restoration on the west side of Lake Winnebago.

Volunteers are needed May 5th, 6th, and possibly 7th at Kalbus Country Harbor in Oshkosh. Each day will start at 9:00 am. Volunteers are welcome to volunteer as much or as little as available.

To sign up, please contact John by May 1st at: 920-426-0062 (via text or call) or email kalbuscamping@gmail.com

We will have some tools available, but recommend bringing what you prefer to use with you, dress for the weather, and be prepared to get dirty. For those who sign-up, John will follow  up with additional details.

Read more about the Kalbus restoration project: CLICK HERE

Project site map

Project funding and partners:

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance recovery initiative. Contact us at wwinfo@fwwa.org

The post Volunteers needed – Wetland Restoration Planting appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2023/04/19/kalbus-wetland-project-volunteers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kalbus-wetland-project-volunteers

Korin Doering

On:
In: Agriculture, Authors, Brian Owens, contaminants, Feature Homepage, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, pesticides
Some banned pesticides fade from Great Lakes air, while others persist

Two recently banned pesticides have all but disappeared from the atmosphere around the Great Lakes, while others phased out decades ago are still hanging around.

Marta Venier, an environmental chemist at Indiana University, and her team looked at air samples taken every 12 days since 1990 by the Environmental Protection Agency around the Great Lakes region, which measure the atmospheric concentration of hundreds of compounds, including pesticides, PCBs, and other persistent chemicals.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/03/some-banned-pesticides-fade-from-great-lakes-air-while-others-persist/

Brian Owens

On:
In: Agriculture, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Climate change, Collaboration, contamination, Fish, Birds and Animals, Groundwater Contamination, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Science, Technology, Research, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, water, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
New U.S. Climate Law Could Make Midwest Water Contamination Worse

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/02/new-u-s-climate-law-could-make-midwest-water-contamination-worse/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Agriculture, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Drinking Water, Food, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Latest News, livestock, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Recreation and Tourism, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
Opposition to CAFOs Mounts Across the Nation

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/opposition-to-cafos-mounts-across-nation/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Agriculture, Alex Hill, Authors, Feature Homepage, Illinois, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, mapping, maps, Michigan, News, Pennsylvania
Mapping the Great Lakes: Pumpkin production

Love staring at a map and discovering something interesting? Then “Mapping the Great Lakes” is for you. It’s a monthly Great Lakes Now feature created by Alex B. Hill, a self-described “data nerd and anthropologist” who combines cartography, data, and analytics with storytelling and human experience.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/mapping-the-great-lakes-pumpkin-production/

Alex Hill

On:
In: Agriculture, Beaches, Boating, Paddle Sports and Sailing, episode, Feature Homepage, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Huron, Latest News, Michigan, News, outdoor recreation, Quiz, Recreation and Tourism
Surf and Turf: The Great Lakes Now Episode Quiz

Great Lakes Now tries to make every episode interesting and educational.

In “Surf and Turf,” dig into the future of land use in the Great Lakes as needs grow for both housing and agriculture, then join an eFoiling adventure on Lake Huron, and keep up with news about the lakes you love with The Catch!

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/surf-and-turf-the-great-lakes-now-episode-quiz/

Anna Sysling

On:
In: Agriculture, Drinking Water, forever chemicals, Forever Chemicals Featured, headline roundup, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Kathy Johnson, Latest News, Michigan, News, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
PFAS News Roundup: High levels of “forever chemicals” found in pesticides, artificial turf

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widespread man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or the human body and have been flagged as a major contaminant in sources of water across the country.

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/pfas-news-roundup-high-levels-forever-chemicals-pesticides-artificial-turf/

Kathy Johnson

On:
In: Advocacy, Agriculture, AP, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Minnesota, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, pollution, Protect, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, waterways
MN Supreme Court: Farm country stream is protected waterway

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled a western county in the state must conduct an environmental review to determine whether a proposed drainage ditch improvement could harm one of the last free-flowing creeks in the heavily agricultural area.

The ruling last week affirms a state Court of Appeals judgment that reversed a Renville County Board decision which said the study wasn’t necessary.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/ap-farm-country-stream-protected-waterway/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Agriculture, Algae Blooms, algal blooms, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Feature Homepage, harmful algal blooms, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Latest News, Michigan, News, Ohio, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, toxic algae, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Remedies for Harmful Algal Blooms Are Available in Law and Practice

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/remedies-for-harmful-algal-blooms-available-in-law/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Advocacy, Agriculture, Algae Blooms, algal blooms, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Drinking Water, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, harmful algal blooms, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, The States, toxic algae, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Powerful Industry’s Torrent of Manure Overwhelms State Regulators

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/powerful-industry-torrent-manure-overwhelms-state-regulators/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Agriculture, Algae Blooms, algal blooms, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Equity and Environmental Justice, Farming, Feature Homepage, harmful algal blooms, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Latest News, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Water quality, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, Wisconsin
In A Year of Water Quality Reckoning, National Imperative is Impeded

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/year-of-water-quality-reckoning-national-imperative-impeded/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: activism, Advocacy, Agriculture, Algae Blooms, algal blooms, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Drinking Water, farms, Feature Homepage, harmful algal blooms, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Latest News, Michigan, Municipalities, News, Ohio, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, toxic algae, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Farms in Six Southeast Michigan Counties Are Major Sources of Lake Erie Toxic Blooms

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/farms-michigan-counties-sources-of-lake-erie-toxic-blooms/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Agriculture, Algae Blooms, algal blooms, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Climate change, Energy, Energy, Clean Energy, Ethanol and Fracking, Feature Homepage, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, lake erie, Michigan, News, Ohio, Science, Technology, Research, toxic algae, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Danger Looms Where Toxic Algae Blooms

By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/danger-looms-where-toxic-algae-blooms/

Circle of Blue

On:
In: Agriculture, Echo, Green Gavel

A federal grand jury has indicted a Minnesota farmer for allegedly cheating buyers of more than $46 million by falsely labeling non-GMO soybeans and corn as organic.

The post Minnesota farmer accused of multimillion dollar organic grain scan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/08/29/minnesota-farmer-accused-of-multimillion-dollar-organic-grain-scan/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Agriculture, Echo, Michigan

Bison are on the upswing again as ranchers and government officials aim to increase their populations across the United States. And that could have implications for other livestock operations.

The post In Northern Michigan, bison are teaching a lesson in sustainability first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/08/26/in-northern-michigan-bison-are-teaching-a-lesson-in-sustainability/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Agriculture, bitcoin, coal ash, Coal Ash Project, cryptocurrency, Environmental Justice, epa, Equity and Environmental Justice, groundwater, Groundwater Contamination, industry, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Mining, New York, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Recreation and Tourism, Science, Technology, Research, Tourism, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, wells
In the Finger Lakes, a bitcoin mining plant billed as ‘green’ has a dirty coal ash problem

The village of Dresden is nestled amid charming vineyards and the placid blue waters of Seneca Lake, the largest of Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes. 

Wineries, breweries, dairy farms, and state parks dot the lake’s shoreline, making it a picture-perfect vacation destination.

But for local residents, the three auburn-colored smokestacks of Greenidge Generation’s plant towering above the trees are an unnerving reminder that their natural resources are at risk.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/08/bitcoin-mining-plant-dirty-coal-ash-problem/

Sruthi Gopalakrishnan

On:
In: Agriculture, Insects, Michigan, Wildlife

For the past 10 years or so, entomologists have been looking for a way to control the population of spotted wing drosophila, a fruit fly that feeds on healthy cherries and blueberries. They say they may have found their answer in releasing the samba wasp, which kills fruit flies by laying its eggs inside them.

The post Tiny wasp could give hope to Northern Michigan cherry growers first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/08/17/tiny-wasp-could-give-hope-to-northern-michigan-cherry-growers/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Agriculture, emissions, Farming, Feature Homepage, fertilizer, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Science, Technology, Research, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments
Soaring Fertilizer Prices Could Deliver ‘Silver Lining’ For Emissions, But Farmers Struggle to Limit Use

By Christopher Bonasia, The Energy Mix

This story originally appeared in The Energy Mix and is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.

The sudden rise in fertilizer prices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could have implications for global emissions by reducing how much of it farmers use in their fields.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/07/soaring-fertilizer-prices-emissions-farmers/

The Energy Mix

On:
In: Agriculture, Collaboration, ecology, Fish, Birds and Animals, Forests and Plants, Great Lakes, History and Culture, indigenous communities, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, invasive species, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Latest News, Michigan, News, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, sediment, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Water test: a long history and hopeful future of human impact on Great Lakes ecology

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Kurt Williams, Great Lakes Echo

Editor’s note: This is the last in a series of stories about profound ecological changes that test our ability to manage the Great Lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/history-future-human-impact-great-lakes-ecology/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
In: Agriculture, Capital News Service, Echo, Michigan

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) was reinstated earlier this year and reimburses farmers for following proper conservation practices. To be eligible for the program, land must have a cropping history, or planting history, of four out of six years between 2012-17 and have been owned at least one year prior to applying.

The post Conservation program partnership targets farms in three Michigan watersheds first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/09/conservation-program-partnership-targets-farms-in-three-michigan-watersheds/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Agriculture, Climate, Climate change, TikTok

In our newest TikTok, Echo reporter Shelby Frink discusses the results of a recent study published in Agricultural and Resources Economic Review that explores how climate change impacts milk and feed production.

The post Climate change increases milk production: TikTok edition first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/06/02/climate-change-increases-milk-production-tiktok-edition/

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In: Agriculture, Feature Homepage, fish, Fish, Birds and Animals, Indiana, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, Minnesota, News, Ohio, Ontario, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research
Massive salmon farm gets green light from Ohio DNR

Despite overwhelming public opposition based on public comments received by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the agency approved a water withdrawal and consumptive use permit for Massachusetts-based Aquabounty on March 14.

The permit will allow operators to pull about 28 million gallons from the Michindoh Aquifer to fill tanks at its state-of-the-art Atlantic salmon rearing facility in Pioneer, Ohio.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/salmon-farm-ohio-dnr/

James Proffitt

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In: Agriculture, Climate, Climate change

Researchers found that increasing temperatures from climate change may slightly increase milk production, despite the heat stress on cows. The loss of milk production through heat stress is offset by the increase in feed production.

The post Climate change increases milk production first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/05/24/climate-change-increases-milk-production/

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In: Agriculture, AP, Climate change, Duluth, flood damage, flooding, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, infrastructure, Minnesota, Municipalities, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, The States
National Guard to help with northeastern Minnesota flooding

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday activated the National Guard to help control record flooding in areas of northeastern Minnesota.

Emergency management officials in St. Louis and Koochiching counties requested the assistance to deal with high water caused by heavy spring rains and rapid snowmelt throughout the Rainy River Basin.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/ap-national-guard-minnesota-flooding/

The Associated Press

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In: Agriculture, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, forever chemicals, Groundwater Contamination, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, Natasha Blakely, New York, News, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Science, Technology, Research, The States, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
PFAS News Roundup: 20M acres of farmland polluted, PFAS found in ‘nontoxic’ children’s clothes and car seats

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of widespread man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or the human body and have been flagged as a major contaminant in sources of water across the country.

Keep up with PFAS-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/pfas-news-roundup-farmland-polluted-pfas-childrens-clothes/

Natasha Blakely

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In: Agriculture, Chicago, Climate change, Drinking Water, Drinking Water News Roundup, Illinois, Latest News, Minnesota, Municipalities, Natasha Blakely, News, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Science, Technology, Research, Tribal Governments and First Nations, Wisconsin
Drinking Water News Roundup: First Nation residents call settlement restrictive, Wisconsin towns try regulating big farms, Chicago cans tap water

From lead pipes to PFAS, drinking water contamination is a major issue plaguing cities and towns all around the Great Lakes. Cleaning up contaminants and providing safe water to everyone is an ongoing public health struggle.

Keep up with drinking water-related developments in the Great Lakes area.

Click on the headline to read the full story:

Illinois:

  • Illinois American Water Ranks #1, J.D.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/drinking-water-news-roundup-first-nation-settlement-wisconsin-towns-chicago-water/

Natasha Blakely

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In: Agriculture, Climate change, Forests and Plants, government, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, natural resources, News, Ontario, Policy, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Protect, Resource, Science, Technology, Research, U.S. and Canadian Federal Governments, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
The report on Ontario’s natural resources the government didn’t want you to read

By Emma McIntosh, The Narwhal

This story first ran on The Narwhal, a non-profit news organization that publishes in-depth stories about Canada’s natural world.

From warming water to shifting growing seasons, Ontario is already seeing the effects of climate change. But for the most part, Doug Ford and his government say, the province’s natural resources are doing just fine.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/05/report-ontario-natural-resources/

The Narwhal

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In: Agriculture, Climate, Climate change, Commentary, Echo, Michigan

In the last few decades, fluctuating temperatures in the late winter or early spring have harmed blueberry production across the state. More of that kind of trouble – and more often – may be in store for the state’s fruit-growers.

The post Commentary: Blueberries, climate and loss of community first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/04/27/commentary-blueberries-climate-and-loss-of-community/

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In: Agriculture, Capital News Service, Echo, Human health, Michigan

Dangerous metals such as arsenic and mercury have been found in wild rice beds located on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community reservation and surrounding areas, according to research from Michigan Technological University scientists and their associates.

The post Tribes work to restore wild rice in areas contaminated by mining first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/04/25/tribes-work-to-restore-wild-rice-in-areas-contaminated-by-mining/

Guest Contributor

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In: Agriculture, Capital News Service, Echo, Michigan

As supply chain problems continue rippling from the COVID-19 pandemic, industries are learning ways to adapt. The meat market is no exception.

The post Pandemic shows need for more local meat processors first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/04/08/pandemic-shows-need-for-more-local-meat-processors/

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In: Agriculture, Capital News Service, Echo, Michigan

Michigan farmers can’t plant more wheat this year to make up for Ukrainian and Russian production that’s been lost to the ongoing war. A fixed supply and consistent demand for wheat leaves one thing open to change: price.

The post Michigan wheat farmers can’t make up for crops lost in Ukraine first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/04/06/michigan-wheat-farmers-cant-make-up-for-crops-lost-in-ukraine/

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In: Agriculture, Echo, Michigan, renewable energy

With a worldwide increase in need for food and oil, the soybean industry shows no signs of slowing down. Expanding consumer interest in plant-based foods as popular substitutes for meat could create more opportunities.

The post Meat substitutes, greener fuel drive soybean demand first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/30/meat-substitutes-greener-fuel-drive-soybean-demand/

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In: Agriculture, Capital News Service, Echo, Insects

While invasive species are always threatening crops, a native pest is the biggest threat to the state’s blueberries –– the stem gall wasp. The Michigan Blueberry Commission has funded research to combat the stem gall wasp and help growers stay competitive.

The post Growers fund research to aid blueberries first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/24/growers-fund-research-to-aid-blueberries/

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In: Agriculture, Capital News Service, Echo

Michigan maple syrup farmers sound optimistic that the industry will see a successful 2022 season after production declined in recent years. 

The post Maple syrup farmers grow hopeful with ideal weather first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/23/maple-syrup-farmers-grow-hopeful-with-ideal-weather/

Guest Contributor

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In: Agriculture, Climate, Climate change

A practice called regenerative farming could be the next step for sustainable farming in Pennsylvania. It reduces carbon, a greenhouse gas driving global warming, and improves water quality.

The post Sustainable farming practice mitigates climate change impacts first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/03/17/sustainable-farming-practice-mitigates-climate-change-impacts/

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In: Agriculture, Climate change, Feature Homepage, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, News, plants, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Recreation and Tourism, Research, Science, Technology, Research
Bugs, Shorter Winters, Climate: Great Lakes vineyards face changing circumstances

The Erie County Ag Research Corporation facility started as a small building in northeast Pennsylvania near the Lake Erie shore in 1948. Pennsylvania State University bought it just four years later.  

Now, Penn State’s grape research center boasts 43 acres and has a joint program with Cornell University’s Grape Research Lab in New York.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

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Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/01/great-lakes-vineyards-changing/

Capri S. Cafaro

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In: Agriculture, Collaboration, Illinois, indigenous communities, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Lake Michigan, Latest News, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Research
Great Lakes region WWII armory preserves Indigenous village

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Hannah Brock, Great Lakes Echo

Researchers are studying a long-vanished village near southern Lake Michigan that a World War II arsenal helped preserve.

A recent study by archaeologists sought to learn about those who lived at what is now the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Illinois.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/wwii-armory-preserves-indigenous/

Great Lakes Echo

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In: Agriculture, farms, Feature Homepage, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, local economics, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice
O Christmas Tree: Is your Christmas tree environmentally friendly?

Earlier this month, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared December 2021 as “Christmas Tree Month” in Michigan.  

It’s a move that makes sense — the Christmas tree industry provides jobs and bolsters the national and state economy. 

“Michigan’s integrated network of family farmers, processors, wholesalers and retailers, work together to ensure a quality product that is enjoyed by millions throughout our state and country,” Whitmer said in a statement.  

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/12/christmas-tree-environmentally-friendly/

Rachel Duckett