Ann Arbor’s sustainable energy utility aims to build the electric power grid of the future − alongside the old one

By Mike Shriberg, University of Michigan

 is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

An experiment is underway in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that could change how communities generate and distribute power in the future.

The city, with voters’ strong support, is launching its own sustainable energy utility.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/03/ann-arbors-sustainable-energy-utility-aims-to-build-the-electric-power-grid-of-the-future-%E2%88%92-alongside-the-old-one/

The Conversation

Win this boat: Eddyline Caribbean 14′ kayak

Thanks to a generous donation from Eddyline and Rutabaga Paddlesports, you can win an Eddyline Caribbean 14′ sit-on-top kayak! This boat is a comfortable and practical addition to your summer recreation plans. Proceeds from benefit River Alliance of Wisconsin.

Tickets are $15 each or five for $50. NEW: tickets can now be purchased online with a credit card. See the form below to buy raffle tickets.

The drawing will take place on April 22, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Rutabaga Paddlesports at 2620 Rimrock Road in Madison. You do not have to be present to win. 

From the Eddyline website:
The Caribbean 14FS features our redesigned removable Frame Seat (FS) that provides improved support and comfort. The frame seat is equally comfortable while paddling or as your camp chair.

The rear tankwell has been redesigned to maximize storage capacity and also has an additional stern hatch for added accessibility. The forward tankwell hatch behind the seat has been redesigned to better accommodate internal gear storage. The large front hatch allows for more storage options.

The Caribbean 14FS is highly stable and lightweight with an efficient hull that provides exceptional tracking, stability, and paddling efficiency.

The handles are balanced for easy transport and double up as one-handed paddle parks. The cockpit features adjustable foot braces and dual accessory tracks on the gunwales for mounting any type of gear that you want.

The Caribbean 14FS now comes standard with 2 flush mount rod holders positioned behind the seat and a 6″ accessory track on the center spine in the footwell area.

Length: 14′ / 427 cm Width/Beam: 29″ / 74 cm Weight: 50 lbs / 22.5 kg Weight Capacity: 350 lbs / 158 kg

Hatches: 3 Paddler Size: M/L

 

The post Win this boat: Eddyline Caribbean 14′ kayak appeared first on River Alliance of WI.

Original Article

Blog - River Alliance of WI

Blog - River Alliance of WI

https://wisconsinrivers.org/eddyline-boat-raffle/

Allison Werner

Marie Zhuikov (center) discusses a communications project with former colleague Jennifer Smith during a learning trip on Green Bay.

This spring Wisconsin Sea Grant is sending off Senior Science Communicator Marie Zhuikov to a much-deserved retirement.

Zhuikov has spent the better part of the past three decades writing about Great Lakes water issues and Sea Grant education, outreach and research activities. During her 13 years at Wisconsin Sea Grant, she not only prolifically told wonderful stories about the people researching, educating and working to protect our fragile water ecosystems, she also worked on podcasts, wrote newsletter articles, took amazing photos and managed our Sea Grant’s “Unsalted” blog. Zhuikov also worked tirelessly in collaboration with program scientists, outreach specialists and our staff to build water science literacy around the country.

“It is a bittersweet time for all of Marie’s colleagues,” said Wisconsin Sea Grant Interim Director Christy Remucal. “We are so happy for Marie and wish her well as she moves into this next exciting phase of her life, but we are also sad we won’t have her wealth of science communication experience, unique perspective and warm presence around the office anymore. We thank her for all that she’s done for our Great Lakes – she will be greatly missed.”

Prior to joining Wisconsin Sea Grant in 2012, Zhuikov worked for Minnesota Sea Grant for 15 years. During her time at Wisconsin Sea Grant, she received numerous awards from the Sea Grant Network for her work and also served a stint as a communications consultant on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Board of Scientific Counselors under the Obama Administration. In her off hours, Zhuikov authored a number of books, including “Meander North” and “The Path of Totality.”

Zhuikov’s last day in the office is March 12 and she retires on April 7.

Congratulations Marie!

 

 

The post Wisconsin Sea Grant says ‘Bon Voyage!’ to a communications legend first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/wisconsin-sea-grant-says-bon-voyage-to-a-communications-legend/

Andrew Savagian

National parks see a record number of visitors, including in Wisconsin

By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio

This article was republished here with permission from Wisconsin Public Radio.

Wisconsin saw more visitors at sites managed by the National Park Service last year, and America’s national parks had a record number of visitors.

News of the growing demand at the parks comes as the Trump administration has cut staff to manage them.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/03/national-parks-see-a-record-number-of-visitors-including-in-wisconsin/

Wisconsin Public Radio

Great Lakes water levels have dropped down to their lowest point in the last decade. The levels are expected to rise during the spring thaw, but low water levels can cause shipping vessels to run aground, limit recreational access and increase erosion. Read the full story by WCMU – Mount Pleasant, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250310-greatlakes-waterlevels

Hannah Reynolds

It’s a daily routine that has been going for more than 1,525 consecutive days, or about four years, at Toronto’s Woodbine Beach. A Toronto local started taking a plunge into Lake Ontario as a way to stay mentally and physically healthy during the pandemic, and it just stuck. Read the full story by the Toronto Star.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250310-torontowoman-coldplunge

Hannah Reynolds

Turn your eyes anywhere at the Port of Oswego in New York and you’ll see aluminum. The metal, in the form of ingots of various shapes and sizes, comes into the Lake Ontario port mostly on ships and railcars from Canada. Some of it gets stored in a big warehouse, but most of it is stacked outside in row after row. Read the full story by The Post-Standard.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250310-trumptariff-canadianaluminum

Hannah Reynolds

The Lake Michigan Sector of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter announced Friday that the southern waters of the bay of Green Bay will reopen to commercial vessel traffic at 8 a.m. Monday and the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw is scheduled to begin icebreaking operations in the bay that week. Read the full story by the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250310-greenbay-commercialshipping-icebreaking

Hannah Reynolds

The Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s Division of Wildlife is making sure local fishing spots are bubbling with activity as they kick off their trout stocking program this March. Starting Wednesday, March 12, a whopping 85,000 rainbow trout will be released into the wild – well, the semi-wild of 90 carefully selected fishing locations across the state. Read the full story by Spectrum News 1.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250310-rainbowtrout-spring

Hannah Reynolds

The price of Wisconsin fishing licenses could go up by $10 if proposed increases in Governor Tony Evers’ 2025-2027 state budget are passed by the state Legislature. The budget proposal, unveiled February 18, includes a proposed increase from $20 to $30 for a resident annual fishing license. Read the full story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250310-wisconsin-fishing-license-fees

Hannah Reynolds

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced that license purchasing for the 2025 Michigan Fishing License has opened. The current fishing season ends March 31, so anyone wanting to fish beyond that will need to purchase a new fishing license. Read the full story by the Huron Daily Tribune.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250310-michiganfishinglicense

Hannah Reynolds

Last spring, a farmer in Leelanau County, Michigan, started applying a kind of fertilizer to his fields: sewage pumped from septic tanks, often called septage. That kicked off a local fight about whether it’s legal to apply that septage waste in Centerville Township and sparked concerns about contaminating the land and water. Those concerns could come up at a meeting this week. Read the full story by Interlochen Public Radio.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20250310-leelanaucounty-sewage-farmfertilizer

Hannah Reynolds