On:
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

On:
In: Agriculture, Echo
By Demonte Thomas   During the summer, corn undergoes a process called evapotranspiration, known by many as "corn sweat" to cool itself down. It raises questions about whether the state's vast corn fields are making already hot and humid conditions even more uncomfortable.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/18/its-time-for-corn-sweat-as-mid-summer-hits/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
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

On:
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

On:
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

On:
In: Art, Echo
By Kyrmyzy Turebayeva  For Jim Daniels the Rust Belt is defined by people, working families, factory neighborhoods, highways leading north toward the Great Lakes and memories that stay with a person for a lifetime. These themes run throughout his new poetry collection, “Late Invocation for Magic.”

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/08/the-great-lakes-as-the-coordinates-of-the-heart-jim-daniels-detroit-and-michigan/

Kyrmyzy Turebayeva

On:
In: Climate, Echo, Land
By Anna Barnes  In Michigan, sugar maple populations are rising and eastern redbud trees are making their way north, while coniferous trees, like the black spruce, continue to decline. One suspected cause: climate warming.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/07/study-finds-climate-warming-directly-affects-the-makeup-of-plant-communities/

Anna Barnes

On:
In: Agriculture, Echo
By Anna Barnes  Michigan's supply of nitrogen and phosphorus-based fertilizers has taken a hit from shipping disruptions caused by the U.S. war with Iran. High prices and historic flooding are causing problems for the state's corn and soybean farmers.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/06/excessive-rainfall-in-michigan-may-affect-nutrients-in-soil-amid-fertilizer-price-increases/

Anna Barnes

On:
In: Echo, Wildlife
By Kyrmyzy Turebayeva  While urbanization continues to displace natural ecosystems across the Great Lakes region, one declining wetland bird has managed to adapt to city life -- the black-crowned night heron.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/07/05/refuge-in-the-windy-city-declining-wetland-bird-makes-a-home-in-downtown-chicago/

Kyrmyzy Turebayeva

On:
In: Echo, solutions
By Victoria Witke Wildfire risk is predicted to stay elevated in the Upper Midwest from drought and high winds. That’s risky for the region’s pristine inland lakes, but land managers are working to reduce wildfire risk in the Northwoods with controlled burns.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/28/setting-fires-on-purpose-to-cut-risk-of-catastrophic-wildfires/

Victoria Witke

On:
In: Climate, Echo
By Demonte Thomas Michigan has already exceeded its average annual tornado count. The active season comes as communities across the state continue recovering from severe weather that has left behind widespread damage.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/26/tornado-activity-surpasses-yearly-average-as-peak-season-begins/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
In: Echo, Wildlife
By Isabella Figueroa Nogueira The number of bald eagles in Michigan is declining. Workers are finding empty and damaged nests, malnourished eaglets and adult bald eagles attempting to nest a second time after failed attempts. Funding delays aren't helping.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/24/bald-eagle-success-story-faces-new-threats/

Isabella Figueroa Nogueira

On:
In: Agriculture, Echo
By Julia Roeder An April survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation found nearly 70% of U.S. farmers say they cannot afford fertilizer. It also found almost half of Midwestern farmers report they cannot afford all the supplies they need.  

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/23/the-outlook-is-pretty-bleak-farmers-brace-for-difficult-season/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
In: Echo, transportation
By Isabella Figueroa Nogueira   Michigan’s push to build a statewide electric vehicle charging network is moving forward again after a federal judge forced the Trump administration to release tens of millions in funding it had held back for more than a year. 

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/19/michigan-revives-ev-charger-expansion-after-federal-funding-reversal/

Isabella Figueroa Nogueira

On:
In: Echo, solutions, Waste
By Isabella Figueroa Nogueira An unknown number of schools across Michigan have taken up composting initiatives, but coalitions of education and anti-food waste groups want to see more. They’ve begun lobbying state legislators in hopes of securing $3 million for a pilot grant program that would allow schools across the state to replicate the composting program at Hayes Elementary School in Livonia.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/13/in-school-cafeterias-kids-fight-michigans-food-waste-problems/

Isabella Figueroa Nogueira

On:
In: Art, Echo
By Joshua Kim “Nokee: The Last of the Great Lakes Mound Builders” follows Nokee, the last member of a mound-building culture, who embarks on a journey to preserve the memory of his ancestors and find an aging shaman.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/09/novel-tells-the-story-of-indigenous-mound-builders-in-the-great-lakes-region/

Joshua Kim

On:
In: Echo, water
By Riley Wilson Ice covering the Great Lakes stores organic carbon, which is released in a burst during spring melt. As climate change reduces ice cover, researchers say this seasonal surge of energy may be shrinking, with uncertain consequences for these freshwater systems.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/05/study-reveals-how-dissolved-organic-matter-in-the-great-lakes-ice-may-impact-spring-melt/

Riley Wilson

On:
In: Echo, Wildlife
By Samantha Ku Cultivated plants rarely match their wild type counterparts in their ability to support pollinators, according to research by pollinator ecologists at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/06/03/wild-type-plants-are-superior-to-cultivars-when-it-comes-to-attracting-pollinators-study-says/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
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

On:
In: Echo, Waste, water
By Riley Wilson Rising levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination are prompting scientists to question whether the Great Lakes can safely sustain surrounding communities. A recent study shows signs of declining PFAS pollution in these waters using archived fish.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/05/17/great-lakes-show-signs-of-declining-pfas-pollution/

Riley Wilson

On:
In: Echo, Recreation
By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov Michigan’s tourism industry is preparing for another busy season, with strong visitor demand expected across the state. However, industry experts warn that staffing challenges remain a key concern.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/05/15/hospitality-and-tourism-industry-scrambling-to-find-seasonal-summer-help/

Capital News Service

On:
In: Agriculture, Echo
By Lily Cole Nationally, farmers markets are growing rapidly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported 2,863 markets in 2000, with that number rising to more than 8,700 in 2025. In Michigan alone, more than 200 markets offer amenities for patrons, including fresh produce and special events.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/05/05/rooted-in-community-farmers-markets-continue-to-grow/

Lily Cole

On:
In: Echo, Energy, solutions
By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov Michigan is expanding efforts to move public schools toward zero-emission energy systems, as new initiatives focus on cutting utility costs and modernizing aging buildings.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/04/22/converting-public-schools-to-clean-energy-will-create-jobs-group-says/

Capital News Service

On:
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

On:
In: Echo, Land, Wildlife
Michigan reduced funding for invasive species projects by $1.2 million. Conservation organizations like the regional Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) are rethinking their funding priorities for 2026 and beyond.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

https://greatlakesecho.org/2026/04/16/funding-cuts-hamper-conservation-groups-invasive-species-efforts/

Anna Ironside