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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo, Land
By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov Surrounded by busy roads, neighborhoods and businesses, Ken-O-Sha Park doesn’t look like one of Michigan’s most valuable forests. But a new study found the 100-acre park in Grand Rapids is home to one of the state’s highest-quality remaining forests.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/20/study-finds-one-of-michigans-healthiest-forests-in-grand-rapids/

Great Lakes Echo

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo
By Kyrmyzy Turebayeva Downriver Detroit developed during the 20th century as an industrial region, but it was never just an industrial space. Alongside factories and working-class neighborhoods, there were wetlands, waterfront areas, nature preserves, farms and residential communities with different types of environments that shaped the region. This relationship lies at the heart of Lisa Fine’s new book, “Downriver Detroit: The Working Class, the Environment and the Bonds of Place.”

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/12/how-downriver-detroits-working-communities-fought-for-their-regions-environment/

Kyrmyzy Turebayeva

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo, Wildlife
By Demonte Thomas  A new female peregrine falcon has appeared at Michigan State University's falcon nesting box atop Spartan Stadium, marking a significant change at a nesting site occupied by peregrine falcons for years.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/10/new-female-falcon-takes-up-residence-in-msu-nest-box-but-no-eggs-are-laid/

Great Lakes Echo

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo, Land
By Domonic Marroni In Ann Arbor, Michigan, Skyline High School's natural areas are home to several species of invasive plants causing widespread destruction of surrounding trees. These species pose potential fire hazards and are dangerous to public health.  Action is needed, say several environmental experts, to avert future disasters and to preserve the natural areas for future students.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/09/invasives-oak-wilt-threaten-skyline-high-school-natural-areas-adjacent-neighborhoods/

Great Lakes Echo

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo, Recreation
By Isabella Figueroa Nogueira As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, cities across North America are preparing for an influx of fans, matches and global attention - including Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) in Canada. Along with the excitement comes growing concern about the tournament’s environmental impact.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/05/19/world-cup-2026-brings-sustainability-promises-and-environmental-concerns/

Isabella Figueroa Nogueira

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo, solutions
By Samantha Plunkett For residents of Dearborn, Michigan, creating greenspaces in the community has been an important mission for schools and researchers. In a recent study, academics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn partnered with Salina schools to assess their outdoor play spaces.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/04/18/investing-in-greenspaces-bring-benefits-to-schools-student-well-being/

Great Lakes Echo

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Climate, Echo

A recent study featuring Grand Rapids, Michigan suggests that climate migration may not significantly change how some cities grow.

The post Climate migration may not dramatically reshape city growth, study finds first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/02/26/climate-migration-may-not-dramatically-reshape-city-growth-study-finds/

Isabella Figueroa Nogueira

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo, Land

By Karlee VanAntwerp

Critics of the proliferation of data centers are calling for a one-year moratorium on the approval of new projects.

The post Data center concerns lead to push for a one-year moratorium on projects first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/02/08/data-center-concerns-lead-to-push-for-a-one-year-moratorium-on-projects/

Capital News Service

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo

By Camila Bello Castro

A recent case study of a former “abandonment tourism” business in Detroit found a disconnect between the lived experience of many city residents and the lives of the tour participants who were generally white, younger and more international than most Detroiters and generally first-time visitors to the city.

The post Swiss researcher studies ‘abandonment tourism’ in Detroit first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2025/11/20/swiss-researcher-studies-abandonment-tourism-in-detroit/

Capital News Service

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo, Wildlife

By Eric Freedman

Empty lots in deindustrialized cities like Detroit may contribute to bird species diversity, says a new study by researchers at MSU and Carleton University in Canada. The study is based on sound recordings collected at 110 sites in 11 Detroit neighborhoods. The study recommends that vacant land management in the city takes a balanced approach that considers the needs of both residents and birds. There are other concerns about vacant land, too, including as sites for solar arrays.

The post Vacant lots boost diversity among Detroit’s birds, study finds first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2025/11/03/vacant-lots-boost-diversity-among-detroits-birds-study-finds/

Eric Freedman

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In: Cities & Suburbs, Echo, Recreation

By Isabella Figueroa Nogueria

Frank Boles, a retired Central Michigan University historian, has spent decades documenting Michigan’s past. His latest book, “Visiting Mackinac: 150 Years of Tourism at Michigan’s Fabled Straits,” explores how Mackinac Island and the surrounding Straits region became a hub for travelers from across the country.

The post New book shares how Mackinac Island became Michigan’s tourism gem first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2025/10/29/new-book-shares-how-mackinac-island-became-michigans-tourism-gem/

Isabella Figueroa Nogueira