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By Donté Smith 

Despite being surrounded by the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth, Michigan imports the vast majority of its seafood, between 65% and 90%, according to Michigan Sea Grant. As global aquaculture has grown to meet increasing demand for protein, a small but determined group of inland fish farmers in the Great Lakes region are building a more sustainable, local supply. Researchers say doing so could ease pressure on wild populations, create jobs in rural areas and help restore public trust in the food on their plates. But with high regulatory costs, limited consumer awareness and strong competition from imports, these farms face an uphill swim.

The post How inland fish farmers cultivate a sustainable future for the Great Lakes  first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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https://greatlakesecho.org/2025/09/14/how-inland-fish-farmers-cultivate-a-sustainable-future-for-the-great-lakes/

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By Emilio Perez Ibarguen

In 2023, community organizers from the outdoor Discovery Center, an outdoor education and conservation-focused nonprofit in Holland, Michigan looked for ways to further sustainability efforts in the west Michigan community. This led to a partnership with another local nonprofit to create the Carbon Community Fund, which accepts donations from residents to fund local conservation efforts.

The post Small city’s ‘community carbon fund’ promises hyper-local carbon reduction first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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https://greatlakesecho.org/2025/09/02/small-citys-community-carbon-fund-promises-hyper-local-carbon-reduction/

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By Rachel Lewis  
With the goal of cutting food waste by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has been helping to fund NextCycle Michigan. This program gives grants and advice to small companies in the state looking to reduce food waste. One of these start-ups is Penny Pickup. With robot food delivery vehicles becoming more popular, the company Orange Sparkle Ball decided to launch Penny Pickup as a pickup service, instead of delivery. Its focus is to remove trash and unwanted items, primarily food waste.

The post Nonprofits and robots help reduce food waste first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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https://greatlakesecho.org/2025/08/14/nonprofits-and-robots-help-reduce-food-waste/

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By Rachel Lewis
The Great Lakes Fishery Commission will receive a $2.1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to address the invasive sea lamprey in the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The post EPA grant will fund barrier to stop spread of sea lamprey in Grand River  first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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https://greatlakesecho.org/2025/08/12/epa-grant-will-fund-barrier-to-stop-spread-of-sea-lamprey-in-grand-river/

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By Donté Smith 
The Great Lakes, a vital freshwater expanse for millions, face an ongoing environmental crisis. Beneath the vast waters lies a significant threat: pollution stemming largely from agricultural runoff. This flow of excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen contributes to harmful algal blooms and expanding “dead zones,” jeopardizing ecosystems, water quality and public health across the region. Amidst these challenges, Barn Sanctuary in Chelsea, Michigan, works to make a positive impact on the region. Tom McKernan, sanctuary co-founder and operations director, wants the farm to stand as a living model where animal welfare and ecological stewardship aren’t just compatible, but linked.

The post Empowering environmental stewardship: Barn sanctuary champions compassion and Conservation first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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https://greatlakesecho.org/2025/08/10/empowering-environmental-stewardship-barn-sanctuary-champions-compassion-and-conservation/

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By Elinor Epperson Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has updated an online tool that maps which communities may be most susceptible to adverse effects from pollution. The department first released MiEJScreen as a draft in 2022, but released an updated version in early August after seeking public comment. It says it hopes […]

The post Michigan updates data sharing tool on environmental justice first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/08/20/michigan-updates-data-sharing-tool-on-environmental-justice/

Elinor Epperson

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Rural Michigan residents who suffer from a chronic illness that requires specialized treatment may have to drive hours to receive care.

That barrier to access to health care is one reason rural county death rates tend to be higher than their urban counterparts, according to Robert Howe, the medical director of the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.

The post Limited access to health care contributes to higher rural death rates first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/05/20/limited-access-to-health-care-contributes-to-higher-rural-death-rates/

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Human engineering solves age-old problems each day. 

But the natural environment has been engineering solutions to solve problems for thousands of years. People are catching on. 

The post Nature has clues to solve environmental problems first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/05/09/nature-has-clues-to-solve-environmental-problems/

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A Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision that upheld the state’s first ordinance requiring bird-friendly building construction could spread similar policies to other cities. 

Already Middleton, Wisconsin, has passed such an ordinance following the ruling last October,  said Brenna Marsicek, director of outreach at the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.

The post Wisconsin court case paves way for bird-friendly buildings first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/05/07/wisconsin-court-case-paves-way-for-bird-friendly-buildings/

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When reporting in rural communities, journalists must “listen and shut up.”

That was the advice of former Native News Online managing editor and author Valerie Vande Panne, a panelist at a session of the recent Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference in Philadelphia.

The post Rural reporting needs trust, common ground first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/05/01/rural-reporting-needs-trust-common-ground/

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Environmental reporting experts at the recent Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Philadelphia discussed how to report on climate in a more productive way. 

Allen Arthur, the engagement director at Solutions Journalism Network, emphasized the need to avoid negative sentiments while engaging in the climate crisis dialogue to promote engagement in community-based activities.

The post Experts give insights on effective, ethical environmental reporting first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/30/experts-give-insights-on-effective-ethical-environmental-reporting/

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Environmental journalists and educators face a changing media field and systemic barriers that make it difficult to improve the profession.

Experts at a recent Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Philadelphia addressed some of these challenges to reimagine a more sustainable system.

The post Rethinking environmental journalism education first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/24/rethinking-environmental-journalism-education/

Shealyn Paulis

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What do you do when an employee comes forward, exposing their company for wrongdoing? 

Environmental journalists discussed how to handle that situation at a recent Society of Environmental Journalist Conference in Philadelphia.

The post How to be a responsible watchdog first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/17/how-to-be-a-responsible-watchdog/

Anna Barnes

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Fields pockmarked by bombs, forests torn up by trenches and littered with landmines, cities around the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine flooded and then left with a water shortage as the reservoir dries up. 

These scenes in Ukraine and Gaza are a few examples of how war leaves long lasting damage to the environment.

The post Reporting the environmental impact of war first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/16/reporting-the-environmental-impact-of-war/

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When U.S. Rep.-to-be Debbie Dingell was growing up in St. Clair, she’d get in an inner tube and ride in the wake of freighters passing on the St. Clair River.

She fished there too.

The post Dingell talks environmental priorities in election year first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/08/dingell-talks-environmental-priorities-in-election-year/

Eric Freedman

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While the House and Senate have never had a direct, official connection to tribal governments throughout Michigan, new legislation could change that.

A bill would make Michigan the first state with a formal legislative connection with its tribal governments, 

The post Liaison office would be first to connect tribes and Legislature first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/03/liaison-office-would-be-first-to-connect-tribes-and-legislature/

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A tractor falls on you. A horse kicks you. A cow pins you against the side of a barn. Your hand gets caught in a corn shucker.

These are just some of the accidents Michigan State University researcher Laurel Morano documented in her recent study of agriculture-related injuries – and only among the most dramatic examples of the dangers farmers face every day on the job. 

The post Study offers new insights into farming-related injuries first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/02/study-offers-new-insights-into-farming-related-injuries/

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Steve Hall used to call public health “the invisible profession.”

“Previously, when we did our jobs well, people didn’t know about us,” said Hall, who for 10 years has been the health officer for the Central Michigan District Health Department.

The post Challenges, reduced public trust confront local health agencies first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/03/29/challenges-reduced-public-trust-confront-local-health-agencies/

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When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed off on expansive recycling reforms in December 2022, she also approved a last-minute amendment allowing chemical recycling — a process decried by many environmentalists — to be classified as a legal manufacturing process.

Chemical recycling, specifically the commonly used plastic pyrolysis process, turns plastic into fuel.

The post Scrutiny builds as Michigan awaits first ‘chemical recycling’ facility first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/03/28/scrutiny-builds-as-michigan-awaits-first-chemical-recycling-facility/

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The number of farmhands in Michigan working on H-2A visas — which allow farms that are struggling to hire U.S. workers to bring in temporary laborers from other countries—increased from 277 in 2010 to over 15,000 in 2023, according to the Michigan Farm Bureau. 

The post Advocates call for more protection of migrant farmworkers first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/03/27/advocates-call-for-more-protection-of-migrant-farmworkers/

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Chicago is joining a nationwide trend of large cities incorporating equity or justice goals into preparing for climate change’s impact on public health.

The idea is to better protect Black, Hispanic, Indigenous and other socially vulnerable and marginalized communities. That hasn’t always been the case. 

The post Faced with COVID-era civil rights complaints, Chicago commits to environmental justice first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/02/09/faced-with-covid-era-civil-rights-complaints-chicago-commits-to-environmental-justice/

Wajeeha Kamal

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Delilah, the 13-year-old cat of Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, had to visit a veterinarian every time it got a respiratory infection.

That is, until emergency orders by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed a broad expansion of veterinary telehealth, where owners and pets see their vets through video calls.

The post Telehealth for pets: advocates, experts split on expansion of veterinary video-chats first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/02/07/telehealth-for-pets-advocates-experts-split-on-expansion-of-veterinary-video-chats/

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Fish-leather purses and wallets may make their way into Great Lakes fashion with an initiative to use 100% of commercially caught fish by 2025.

One of the latest projects of a binational Great Lakes organization is  to fully use the region’s whitefish, lake trout, yellow perch, walleye and white sucker.

The post Twenty companies pledge to use all parts of Great Lakes fish by 2025 first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/01/04/twenty-companies-pledge-to-use-all-parts-of-great-lakes-fish-by-2025/

Shealyn Paulis

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Hundreds of years ago a lord of the Tohoku region in Japan offered villagers a deal – equal weight in silver to any who could find a rare mushroom. 

The villagers danced with joy when they found the valuable fungus, inspiring the mushroom’s name, “maitake," or “the dancing mushroom.”

The post Scientists test mushrooms as cancer treatment first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/12/13/scientists-test-mushrooms-as-cancer-treatment/

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Canada is turning to Indigenous fire safety knowledge after record wildfires raged across the country last summer.

“One big issue with Indigenous services is there’s a gap,” Lazare said. “What we are doing is closing that gap to make sure First Nations are included.”

The post Indigenous firefighters lead fire safety efforts after record Canadian wildfires first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/12/05/indigenous-firefighters-lead-fire-safety-efforts-after-record-canadian-wildfires/

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A newly discovered chemical compound that makes it difficult for invasive sea lamprey to find their breeding grounds may be a new tool in the toolbox for controlling a parasite that threatens Great Lakes fish.

Anne Scott, an assistant professor at Michigan State University, and her team of researchers are creating a new method of sea lamprey control

The post New compound may expand sea lamprey control first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/11/22/new-compound-may-expand-sea-lamprey-control/

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Michigan is the second-most agriculturally diverse state, with farmers growing a wide variety of produce and specialty crops, such as cherries, asparagus and blueberries. 

One bonus of buying locally grown produce is that the community’s economy benefits. 

The post Buying local fresh produce benefits farmers first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/11/13/buying-local-fresh-produce-benefits-farmers/

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Michigan farmers, looking to expand crop insurance and research funding, are pushing to see their needs recognized as the federal Farm Bill moves along on the congressional agenda. 

“This would not be the first time that a Farm Bill was extended. It’s happened several times, but we need leadership to sit down to get the job done,” he said.

The post State farmers eye upcoming federal Farm Bill first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/11/10/state-farmers-eye-upcoming-federal-farm-bill/

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As cities continue to expand, the amount of unused rooftop space grows too.

Steven Peck, the founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, said that flat roofs are wasted spaces. The organization is an association of the green roof and wall industry.

The post Green roofs are saving green dollars first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/10/31/green-roofs-are-saving-green-dollars/

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Mapping currents allows scientists to understand the path pollution takes and maximize the efficiency of boats and vessels. 

The post New NASA satellite helps scientists understand Great Lakes first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/05/05/new-nasa-satellite-helps-scientists-understand-great-lakes/

Jack Armstrong

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Among the species that newly receive threatened status are the Eastern whip-poor-will, evening grosbeak, golden-winged warbler, Northern goshawk, spruce grouse and upland sandpiper.

The post Lark sparrow left Michigan. Seven more birds are in danger. But each of us can help them survive first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/18/lark-sparrow-left-michigan-seven-more-birds-are-in-danger-but-each-of-us-can-help-them-survive/

Vladislava Sukhanovskaya

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More young people are taking interest in scuba diving and Great Lakes eco-dives are expected to become more popular in the coming years.

The post Scuba divers clean up the dirty history of the Great Lakes first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/17/scuba-divers-clean-up-the-dirty-history-of-the-great-lakes/

Daniel Schoenherr

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The organization holds an annual “challenge” for communities to measure their progress toward advancing sustainability. 

The post Recycling gets positive reviews as green groups press for more action first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/14/recycling-gets-positive-reviews-as-green-groups-press-for-more-action/

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The project will reduce energy costs by $2.7 million and cut carbon emissions by 93% over 25 years.

The post Supporters plan climate-friendly environment for Lake Superior’s five national parks first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/12/supporters-plan-climate-friendly-environment-for-lake-superiors-five-national-parks/

Genevieve Fox

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Most cemeteries are looking to provide green burial as an option, whether it’s immediately today or as part of their master plan.

The post More cemeteries offering green burials, recreational space first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/06/more-cemeteries-offering-green-burials-recreational-space/

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People are happy to pay for such services, even if the cost is higher than a regular bus ride.

The post More transit agencies add door-to-door services and ‘mobility wallets’ first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/04/03/more-transit-agencies-add-door-to-door-services-and-mobility-wallets/

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It's better suited than batteries to power large vehicles that need to travel long distances like semi-trucks, because hydrogen refuels much faster than batteries recharge.

The post Potential hydrogen source could power trucks while reducing greenhouse gasses first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/03/31/potential-hydrogen-source-could-power-trucks-while-reducing-greenhouse-gasses/

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The heaviest thing that he has found is a full-sized safe in the Rouge River in Delray, Michigan, taking seven people with magnets and hooks to pull it out.

The post Michigan’s Magnet Man attracts river trash first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/03/09/michigans-magnet-man-attracts-river-trash/

Vladislava Sukhanovskaya

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Fishbrain is an app that allows users to post photos of their catches and log  the species and size of the fish they caught, the gear they used and the location, date and time of the catch. 

The post Social media for anglers produces climate change data for researchers first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/03/08/social-media-for-anglers-produces-climate-change-data-for-researchers/

Jack Armstrong

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The organization teaches kids at its brick and mortar building or travels to communities with a bus filled with recycled materials.

The post Detroit group reduces waste and improves education by merging art and science  first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/03/07/detroit-group-reduces-waste-and-improves-education-by-merging-art-and-science/

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This network provides valuable, real time data on a stream’s water quality, level and temperature. 

The post MiWaterNet monitors quality of northern Michigan streams first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/27/miwaternet-monitors-quality-of-northern-michigan-streams/

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More modern versions have switched to a more conventional diesel engine, much quieter and much more fuel- efficient.

The post First-ever transit service hovercraft in North America plans to hit the water in summer 2023 first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/23/first-ever-transit-service-hovercraft-in-north-america-plans-to-hit-the-water-in-summer-2023/

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  By Elaine Mallon This is the second story in a 3-part Great Lakes Echo series on sustainable transport in the region With plans for an all-electric bus fleet by 2035, the University of Michigan will introduce its first four electric buses come next June. The $3.64 million purchase of the four electric buses falls […]

The post Four electric buses will hit University of Michigan’s campus next summer first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/22/four-electric-buses-will-hit-university-of-michigans-campus-next-summer/

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The Center for Community Transportation launched a new bikeshare service in November, Ithaca Bikeshare.

The post New bikeshare in Ithaca, New York hops on community biking trend first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/21/new-bikeshare-in-ithaca-new-york-hops-on-community-biking-trend/

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The lifecycle of microbes and plants creates a system that can filter and hold more water and nutrients, which provides a buffer against drought and unpredictable rain.

The post Oilseeds could help farmers and soil alike first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

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Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2023/02/07/oilseeds-could-help-farmers-and-soil-alike/

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