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/
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/
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/
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/
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/
The dead of winter is a lively time in the Great Lakes region.
The post February: The dead of winter first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/02/07/february-the-dead-of-winter/
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/
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/
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/
You might deny being part of the Kingdom of Ice – Michigan is more about summer sunshine than it is about ice – but our language betrays us. So does the state's geology.
The post January: The Kingdom of Ice first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2022/01/10/january-the-kingdom-of-ice/
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/
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/
Researchers are studying a long-vanished village near southern Lake Michigan that a World War II arsenal helped preserve.
The post Great Lakes region WWII armory preserves Indigenous village first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/17/great-lakes-region-wwii-armory-preserves-indigenous-village/
Michigan farms that offer agricultural tourism opportunities have seen record-breaking attendance over the past two years.
The post ‘Organic growth’ fuels record-breaking agritourism season, experts say first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/16/organic-growth-fuels-record-breaking-agritourism-season-experts-say/
Great Lakes-themed books for your holiday giving.
The post Great Lakes reading for the holidays first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/08/great-lakes-reading-for-the-holidays/
With stores already in the full swing of the Christmas season, many people are already thinking about the centerpiece of decorations: the real Christmas tree.
The post Projections rosy for the upcoming Christmas tree season first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/03/projections-rosy-for-the-upcoming-christmas-tree-season/
Farmers are known for their ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ mentality. It is rare they’ll admit they’re getting mental health help.
The post Mental health resources grow for Michigan farmers first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/12/02/mental-health-resources-grow-for-michigan-farmers/
As with books at traditional libraries, seed libraries contain seeds that circulate among community members.
The post Michigan seed libraries grow food resilience first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/30/michigan-seed-libraries-grow-food-resilience/
By Sammy Schuck Most people may know that festivals attract people to Michigan communities. What most may not know is that festivals and events in the state are an annual $1 billion industry, according to Michigan Festivals and Events Association CEO Mike Szukhent. According to Szukhent, the lack of winter festivals last year “hit hard.” […]
The post Communities welcome return of winter festivals first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/29/communities-welcome-return-of-winter-festivals/
Some lawmakers and environmental advocates want to ban chemicals in food packaging that they say threatens the health of Michiganders.
The post Advocates push ban of chemicals in food packaging first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/26/advocates-push-ban-of-chemicals-in-food-packaging/
A beloved German holiday tradition, Christkindlmarket, will return to Chicago this year and celebrate its 25th anniversary after being cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.
The post Christkindlmarket returns to Chicago, the wait continues in Milwaukee first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/23/christkindlmarket-returns-to-chicago-the-wait-continues-in-milwaukee/
By Hannah Brock Author Timothy Kneeland was 14 years old when snow piled 20 to 30 feet high over four days in his small town outside of Buffalo, New York. The Great Lakes’ snow belt brought havoc to the Buffalo area on Jan. 28, 1977. The storm was the first to be declared a federal […]
The post The drive for bare pavement shaped winter roads public policy first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/22/the-drive-for-bare-pavement-shaped-winter-roads-public-policy/
A recent study revealed unsafe working conditions in some Michigan nail salons, the consequence of working with hazardous chemicals and not knowing how to handle them properly.
The post Nail salon working hazards exposed first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/15/nail-salon-working-hazards-exposed/
Cohen will be at Howe Memorial Library in Breckinridge, Michigan, on Nov. 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. presenting “Making Teas, Tinctures and Oils at Home.”
The post New book preserves relationship with plants through at-home herbalism first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/15/new-book-preserves-relationship-with-plants-through-at-home-herbalism/
The peak of the pandemic brought unfamiliar free time that led many people to adopt a pet. As life returns closer to normal and in-person activities resume, these new owners continue to embrace their pandemic pets.
The post New owners hold on to pandemic pets first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/10/new-owners-hold-on-to-pandemic-pets/
Environmental groups say they hope that a new Environmental Protection Agency administrator for the Great Lakes region works to restore infrastructure while revitalizing an agency they say is depleted and demoralized.
The post Great Lakes groups hope EPA regional administrator revitalizes infrastructure, morale first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/09/great-lakes-groups-hope-epa-regional-administrator-revitalizes-infrastructure-morale/
The book tells the history of the Agatha Biddle Band, a band of primarily Native American women who lived on Michigan’s Mackinac Island in the 1800s.
The post New book spotlights Native American women’s band on Mackinac Island first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/03/new-book-spotlights-native-american-womens-band-on-mackinac-island/
When Ziibimijwang Farm sells maple sugar at Minongin Market in Mackinaw City, it’s more than a business transaction – it represents Indigenous food sovereignty.
The post Indigenous entrepreneurs reclaim food system first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/02/indigenous-entrepreneurs-reclaim-food-system/
The bill by state Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain, would require conservation officers to wear body cameras while working in the field.
The post Proposed body cameras on Michigan conservation officers draw opposition first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/11/01/proposed-body-cameras-on-michigan-conservation-officers-draw-opposition/
As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the world, a devastating scenario for local growers loomed on the horizon.
The post Pandemic tests resiliency of community supported agriculture first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/27/pandemic-tests-resiliency-of-community-supported-agriculture/
Artists in the Great Lakes region are taking trash and turning it into art.
The post Great Lakes artists repurposing trash for art first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/26/great-lakes-artists-repurposing-trash-for-art/
Mark Benjamin has been coming up and creating mazes since he was young, making it a lifelong passion.
The post 21 years later, Best Maze still stumps visitors first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/20/21-years-later-best-maze-still-stumps-visitors/
“A Backyard Prairie. The Hidden Beauty of Tallgrass and Wildflowers” is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $24.50.
The post New book celebrates ‘hidden beauty’ of native prairie through Illinois couple’s journey to turn back time in their own backyard first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/18/new-book-celebrates-hidden-beauty-of-native-prairie-through-illinois-couples-journey-to-turn-back-time-in-their-own-backyard/
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new regulation of Wisconsin’s hemp program will be beneficial, experts say, but growers remain skeptical.
The post Wisconsin hemp industry switching from state to federal oversight signals changes for growers first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/12/wisconsin-hemp-industry-switching-from-state-to-federal-oversight-signals-changes-for-growers/
A species unique to the Great Lakes region once had a bounty on its head, but now experts are trying to save it.
The post Endangered Great Lakes rattler once had a bounty first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/11/endangered-great-lakes-rattler-once-had-a-bounty/
Jim DuFresne reflects on hiking in an Upper Peninsula area with connections to Ernest Hemingway.
The post Rediscovering the Fox River & its famous author first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/08/rediscovering-the-fox-river-its-famous-author/
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/
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/
A federal grand jury has indicted two business rivals in Western Pennsylvania for alleged interstate trafficking in wild ginseng, a perennial herb whose root is valued for its reputed aphrodisiac and medicinal properties, including as a panacea or cure-all for some diseases.
The post Business rivals indicted for ginseng trafficking first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/09/13/business-rivals-indicted-for-ginseng-trafficking/
Climate change presents an opportunity for Michiganders to change their relationship with fire.
The post Climate change calls on us to learn to live with fire first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/27/climate-change-calls-on-us-to-learn-to-live-with-fire/
Many barriers to meeting Michigan’s ecological needs for fire are rooted in resources and bureaucracy.
The post The prescription for Michigan: More fire first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/25/the-prescription-for-michigan-more-fire/
Michigan’s fire history, as told by its fire-scarred tree stumps, has something to say about the future of fire.
The post Tree-ring research illuminates early fire history of Lower Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.Great Lakes Echo
http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/23/tree-ring-research-illuminates-early-fire-history-of-lower-michigan/
