On:
In: Daily News

On Tuesday, Enbridge announced it has retained a joint venture partnership between two construction companies to lead construction of the Great Lakes Tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac. Enbridge is preparing to begin construction as soon as possible following the receipt of environmental permits for the tunnel project from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Read the full story by WWTV-TV – Cadillac, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240501-tunnel-contractors

Taaja Tucker-Silva

On:
In: Daily News

In a recent editorial, The Toledo Blade sparked controversy by implying the International Joint Commission (IJC) supported the lawsuit between Ohio municipalities and federal regulators regarding Lake Erie water pollution, though the IJC maintains neutrality. Read the full story by The Toledo Blade.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240501-blade-editorial

Taaja Tucker-Silva

On:
In: Other topics

We are excited to unveil the inaugural honorees of the Alliance for the Great Lakes 2024 Wavemaker Awards. As we launch this esteemed recognition for the first time, we celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations who have been instrumental in conserving and elevating the Great Lakes. These Wavemakers have not only dedicated themselves to our cause but have also inspired a wave of proactive engagement across our communities. Their efforts embody the deep commitment required to safeguard the environmental integrity of our cherished Great Lakes region. Join us in honoring their enduring impact at the 2024 Great Blue Benefit, themed “Celebrating Wavemakers: Bridging Communities and Conservation.”

Meet the 2024 Wavemakers (in Alphabetical Order)

Gerald (Jerry) W. Adelmann
President Emeritus of Openlands
Jerry Adelmann has been a pivotal figure in conservation since he joined Openlands in 1980, coordinating groundbreaking projects like the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. His leadership has resulted in significant conservation achievements including the creation of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and the preservation of the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve.

Michael S. Davidson
President and CEO of Openlands
Michael Davidson, with over 25 years in mission-driven leadership, has significantly shaped environmental strategies in the Chicago region. His notable contributions include leading initiatives that integrate community engagement with environmental sustainability, advancing urban conservation and local food system projects.

Mary Peterson
Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes Volunteer
Mary Peterson has dedicated over a decade to the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, coordinating volunteer efforts and enhancing visitor experiences. Her leadership in volunteer coordination and community engagement has been instrumental in maintaining and protecting the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Brenda Santoyo
Illinois Water Justice Coalition member, and Water Justice Program Manager at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO)
Brenda Santoyo advocates for clean water and healthy living conditions in Chicago’s underserved communities. Her leadership in the Water Justice Program at LVEJO has been crucial in shaping policies and practices for environmental justice and sustainability.

Asiana Spaw
Documentary Filmmaker: Microplastics: Not a Small Problem
Asiana Spaw has used her filmmaking to spotlight environmental issues, particularly microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes. Her documentary “Microplastics: Not a Small Problem” has raised awareness and prompted discussions on sustainable environmental practices.

Iyanna Simba
Illinois Water Justice Coalition member, and City Programs Director at the Illinois Environmental Council
Iyanna Simba leads citywide initiatives at the Illinois Environmental Council, focusing on water policy and environmental advocacy in Chicago. Her efforts in coalition building and policy development have been key to advancing environmental justice and sustainable urban practices.

Join Us in Celebration


On Thursday, June 13, 2024 our Great Blue Benefit takes place at the beautiful Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago, Illinois. This special event is not just an opportunity to recognize the incredible efforts of our honorees but also a time to enjoy the camaraderie of those who share our commitment.

Supporting Our Mission
All proceeds from the Great Blue Benefit will directly support the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ ongoing initiatives to ensure our waters are clean, safe, and accessible for all generations.

Purchase Tickets Here

The post Announcing Our 2024 Wavemaker Honorees appeared first on Alliance for the Great Lakes.

Original Article

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

News - Alliance for the Great Lakes

https://greatlakes.org/2024/05/announcing-our-2024-wavemaker-honorees/

Michelle Farley

On:
In: aquatic invasive species, Bonnie Willison, Emma Hauser, Jonathan Pennock, Julia Noordyk, Marie Zhuikov, Mona Behl, National Sea Grant College Program, oceanography, science communication, Sea Grant special issue, stormwater management at great lakes marinas, storytelling in the field, Tim Campbell

Sea Grant research and outreach projects took center stage in the latest issue of “Oceanography,” the official journal of The Oceanography Society. Published yesterday, the issue features 36 articles contributed by Sea Grant authors across 29 programs and the National Sea Grant Office.

“Sea Grant’s success and impact continues to rely on the power of collaboration,” said Jonathan Pennock, director of the National Sea Grant College Program. “This special issue showcases and celebrates the breadth of Sea Grant’s work.”

Articles cover a range of topics including aquaculture, marine debris research, green infrastructure, science communication and community partnerships, highlighting the wide scope of contributions Sea Grant makes to the environmental and marine sciences.

Tim Cambell, Julia Noordyk, Bonnie Willison and Marie Zhuikov with Wisconsin Sea Grant co-authored five articles with staff from other Sea Grant Programs across the country. Emma Hauser represented the Wisconsin program on the cover. Many other staff members helped review the articles, providing input and editing services.

Campbell, aquatic invasive species outreach specialist, contributed to two articles:

Examples of Sea Grant Efforts to Improve Aquatic Invasive Species Research, Outreach, and Management

SPOTLIGHT • Alien Language: Reflections on the Rhetoric of Invasion Biology

Noordyk, water quality and coastal communities outreach specialist, contributed to:

SPOTLIGHT • Advancing Stormwater Management at Great Lakes Marinas with Green Infrastructure: Outreach, Implementation, and Applied Research

Willison, video and podcast producer; and Zhuikov, senior science communicator; contributed to:

Storytelling in the Field with Sea Grant’s Science Communicators

Hauser, aquaculture education and outreach specialist, is featured in one of the cover images holding a net over an aquaculture tank.

Ultimately, this special issue is a reflection of Sea Grant’s scientific contributions and a look toward what is to come. Mona Behl, associate director of Georgia Sea Grant and a contributor to the special issue, said she hopes this issue will inspire new opportunities.

“Sea Grant is just one of many organizations that is committed to increasing the usefulness of science for societal good,” Behl said. “We invite readers of this special issue to join us in envisioning new pathways for collaboration, impact and innovation to propel toward a future where scientific advancements are accessible, equitable and transformative.”

The post Wisconsin Sea Grant staff contribute to special “Oceanography” journal issue first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/wisconsin-sea-grant-staff-contribute-to-special-oceanography-journal-issue/

Wisconsin Sea Grant

On:
In: Feature Homepage, Illinois, Latest News, News
Waves of Change: Meet educator and Friends of the Fox River president Gary Swick

Waves of Change is an online interview series highlighting the diverse faces and perspectives shaping the environmental justice movement throughout the Great Lakes region.

This month, we spoke with Gary Swick, educator and president of Friends of the Fox River.

Listen to the full interview

The Fox River is a tributary of the Illinois River and flows over 200 miles from southern Wisconsin to Ottawa, Illinois.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/04/waves-of-change-meet-educator-and-friends-of-the-fox-river-president-gary-swick/

Great Lakes Now

On:
In: Karmen Anderson, Plover Wisconsin, Theresa Qualls, Tony Evers, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Wisconsin Clean Marina Program

Karmen Anderson was initially drawn to apply for a communications assistant job with the Wisconsin Clean Marina Program due to the organization’s focus on sustainability. An environmental policy and planning major at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Anderson was intrigued by the program’s mission to work with marinas in preventing pollution and protecting fish, wildlife and public health.

She got the job and for the past three years has been learning about the marina industry and gaining communications experience by handling the program’s social media accounts, newsletters and news releases. Anderson was also able to attend several Wisconsin Marine Association conferences and accompany her supervisor, Wisconsin Clean Marina Program Coordinator Theresa Qualls, on visits to marinas.

Karmen Anderson, Wisconsin Clean Marina Program communications assistant. She’ll soon be the village planner for the Wisconsin town of Plover. Submitted image.

“It was interesting learning about an industry I knew nothing about. I got to see all the different practices marinas do for clean marina certification, like implementing oil spill kits and landscaping for pollution prevention. I also loved meeting new people and learning from them,” Anderson said.

Notable among those she met was Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “We were at Saxon Harbor Marina, which was celebrating reopening after severe flood damage. Meeting the governor was a highlight.”

Marinas, related industries and services contribute more than $2.7 billion to Wisconsin’s economy. The Wisconsin Clean Marina Program was launched in 2010, and 23 Wisconsin marinas have since taken steps to voluntarily adopt practices to become certified.

One of Anderson’s favorite communications projects was helping develop a promotional video for the program. “I loved hearing the marina manager’s testimonial – that the community actually likes the work done through the clean marina program as well as the resources and benefits it provides to marinas.”

She also enjoyed working with Qualls. “You can definitely tell she loves what she does,” Anderson said. “The way she communicates with the marinas and the relationships she has with them are great.”

Anderson is set to graduate this spring and credits her clean marina experience with helping her nab a full-time job as a village planner for Plover, Wisconsin.

“This position gave me a lot of experience in communication and outreach. I definitely plan to bring that into my new job, which entails a lot of work with the community and developers,” Anderson said.

The Wisconsin Clean Marina Program is administered by University of Wisconsin Sea Grant in partnership with the Wisconsin Marine Association, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with funding from Fund for Lake Michigan. 

The post Student gained valuable experience through the Wisconsin Clean Marina Program first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

Blog | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/blog/student-gained-valuable-experience-through-the-wisconsin-clean-marina-program/

Marie Zhuikov

On:
In: Commentary, solutions

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.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

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

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Feature Homepage, Latest News, News
Nibi Chronicles: The Return of Nenookaasiwag

“Nibi Chronicles,” a monthly Great Lakes Now feature, is written by Staci Lola Drouillard. A direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, she lives and works in Grand Marais on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Her two books “Walking the Old Road: A People’s History of Chippewa City and the Grand Marais Anishinaabe” and “Seven Aunts” were published 2019 and 2022, and she is at work on a children’s story.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/04/nibi-chronicles-the-return-of-nenookaasiwag/

Staci Lola Drouillard

On:
In: News and Announcements

News

Request for Proposals: Small grants available for local groups to support conservation efforts in the Great Lakes region

Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a new opportunity associated with the GLC’s longstanding Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program (GLSNRP) grant program. This pilot program will support conservation districts in deploying the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF). ACPF is a free ArcGIS toolbox designed to help local farming communities address their soil and water conservation needs using high resolution geo-spatial data.

Conservation districts are eligible to receive funding of up to $10,000 to support work over a one-year period. Applicants are invited to submit proposals describing how funding will help to facilitate project planning for precision sediment and nutrient pollution reduction. The RFP offers three options for districts (or groups of districts working as a coalition) based on existing local knowledge of the geographic information system (GIS) software powering the ACPF.  The due date for applications is 5:00 p.m. Eastern on June 14. Funding decisions are anticipated by August 2024 for selected projects to begin work no later than October 1, 2024.

Application information and materials are available through the GLSNRP webpage. A webinar for applicants will be offered on May 17 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern to discuss the application process and provide information on the ACPF. To register for the webinar visit https://bit.ly/acpfwebinar. A recording of the webinar will also be posted to the webpage for those unable to attend the live session.

As a reminder, the GLSNRP application period for applicants with shovel-ready conservation projects is also open now, with applications due on April 29 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. For more information on either program, please contact Connor Roessler at croessler@glc.org or 734-396-6085.

The Great Lakes Commission, led by chair Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, is a binational government agency established in 1955 to protect the Great Lakes and the economies and ecosystems they support. Its membership includes leaders from the eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces in the Great Lakes basin. The GLC recommends policies and practices to balance the use, development, and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes and brings the region together to work on issues that no single community, state, province, or nation can tackle alone. Learn more at www.glc.org.

Contact

For media inquiries, please contact Beth Wanamaker, beth@glc.org.

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Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/news/rfp-acpf-042924

Beth Wanamaker

On:
In: Daily News

As each wave crashes into the edge of Township Park in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio, the land continues to disintegrate. Despite emergency measures taken four years ago, more permanent action needs to be taken soon. Read the full story by WEWS-TV – Cleveland, OH.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240429-lake-erie-erosion

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will partner with a University of Wisconsin research reserve to preserve the western end of popular Wisconsin Point, the Lake Superior sandbar in Superior, Wisconsin, that for centuries has played an integral role for area Anishinaabe. Read the full story by the Star Tribune.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240429-sandbar

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

After hearing all about the 100% Fish Project that started in Iceland, the executive director of the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers started wondering if the project could help the struggling Great Lakes fishery. He took the idea home to find out. Read the full story by Interlochen Public Radio.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240429-100-fishproject

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Uncategorized
Locally dense fog is still being observed over parts of east- central and far northeast Wisconsin this morning. In some locations, visibility was reduced to as low as one-quarter to one-half mile, especially near the bay and along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The locally dense fog inland will improve over the next few hours, but the fog along the bay and lake may persist well into the morning. If traveling this morning, expect sharply reduced visibility at times. If you encounter dense fog, slow down and be sure to use the low beam setting on headlights.

Original Article

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.db5fb1aa79961d1d695e4134d9e6ee6c5144948a.001.1.cap

NWS

On:
In: Uncategorized
As of 4 am fog had become locally dense over parts of central and northeast Wisconsin. In some locations, visibility was reduced to as low as one-quarter to one-half mile, especially near the bay and along the Lake Michigan shoreline. After daybreak, the dense fog farther inland will diminish, but the fog along the bay and lake may persist well into the morning. If traveling this morning, expect sharply reduced visibility at times. If you encounter dense fog, slow down and be sure to use the low beam setting on headlights.

Original Article

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.1238e7d419768dd6a9643ca053002082cd81ae5a.001.1.cap

NWS

On:
In: Uncategorized
* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph expected. * WHERE...Calumet, Manitowoc, Winnebago, Brown, Kewaunee, and Outagamie Counties. * WHEN...Until 4 PM CDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Original Article

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.af822f3adfb40c5fbe5105c5a57ed0c8ea060292.002.1.cap

NWS

On:
In: Uncategorized
* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 expected. * WHERE...Calumet, Manitowoc, Winnebago, Brown, Kewaunee, and Outagamie Counties. * WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 4 PM CDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Original Article

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.0aaeb8e38e6fba4d9a3c14e8a590f41f8d48e80f.001.1.cap

NWS

On:
In: Uncategorized
* WHAT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...Calumet, Manitowoc, Winnebago, Brown, Kewaunee, and Outagamie Counties. * WHEN...From 10 AM to 4 PM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

Original Article

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

Current watches, warnings, and advisories for Brown County (WIC009) WI

https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.fa7689045912a84f84ac596d14dd87d9f7b6ea88.001.1.cap

NWS

On:
In: Commercial Fishing, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, Latest News, Michigan, News, Recreation and Tourism, Recreational Hunting and Fishing, Science, Technology, Research
Points North: More Than Just a Filet of Fish

By Daniel Wanschura, Interlochen Public Radio

Points North is a biweekly podcast about the land, water and inhabitants of the Great Lakes.

This episode was shared here with permission from Interlochen Public Radio. 

Dave Naftzger found out about the 100% Fish Project entirely by accident.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/04/points-north-more-than-just-filet-of-fish/

Interlochen Public Radio

On:
In: Daily News

Environmental advocates in the Chicago area and northwest Indiana applauded a tough new slate of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules for coal-fired power plants, including a sweeping regulation to sharply limit greenhouse gas pollution at coal-burning plants. Read the full story by WTTW-TV – Chicago, IL.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-coal-regulations

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

Through expansive cleaning efforts, Muskegon Lake in Muskegon, Michigan, has gone through every step required to remove its designation as an Area of Concern. However, residents of lower socioeconomic communities are raising concerns that the cleaned-up shoreline would be taken over by private interests. Read the full story by Bridge Michigan.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-cleanup-equity

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

Last winter, the ponds in the park where marbled crayfish – a Great Lakes invasive species – were first discovered in Ontario were drained in hopes that the crayfish would freeze to death. But that didn’t happen, likely thanks to the unseasonably warm weather and their burrowing ability. Now the Invading Species Awareness Program of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters has launched a regional sweep from Ottawa to Windsor. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-invasive-crayfish

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

A 15-year-old piping plover, known by researchers as Of,gb:X,Y, or “Gabby,” was confirmed this week as having once again migrated from her wintering grounds in Cumberland Island, Georgia, to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan for another summer breeding season. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-plover-breeding

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

A project that helps prevent plastic pollution from entering Lake Superior and Thunder Bay’s local waterways is receiving $45,000 in funding from Ontario. Cutting-edge catch basin filters called LittaTraps will be placed at city parks, waterfront areas and parking lots to capture microplastics before they enter marine ecosystems. Read the full story by CBC News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-plastic-cleanup

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency kicked off an $84 million dredging project in the lower Rouge River around Zug Island in southeast Michigan this month, aiming to remove the pollution that makes the Rouge one of the most toxic sites in the Great Lakes. Read the full story by The Detroit News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-dredging-project

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

A cutting-edge, high-efficiency cement carrier will make its way to the Great Lakes next year. According to Eureka Shipping, the state-of-the-art mechanical/pneumatic cement ship is designed to replace two older vessels while maintaining the same cargo capacity. Read the full story by the Welland Tribune.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-ship-replacement

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

The Kenosha Sportfishing and Conservation Association has received 40,000 chinook salmon from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to eventually be released into Lake Michigan. Before the chinook salmon arrived, the association made several changes to its salmon rearing pond in hopes of having more fish survive while in their care. Read the full story by Spectrum News 1.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-salmon-release

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

A new roving trash collector called BeBot will soon hit the shores of Belle Isle State Park in Michigan to not only keep beaches clean for residents, but also prevent harmful trash from ending up in the waterways in the Great Lakes region. Read the full story by CBC News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-trash-cleanup

James Polidori

On:
In: Daily News

The owners of Sunrise Farms in Palmyra Township, Michigan, are helping Michigan State University improve the water quality and reduce toxic algae in the area. The farm is implementing no-till and strip-till systems, cover crops, filter strips and water retention structures to keep nutrients on the farm. Read the full story by The Daily Telegram.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240426-farm-sustainability

James Polidori

On:
In: Commentary, Recreation

“Place both feet on the ground and take a moment to breathe,” said Malaika Hart Gilpin, executive director of One Art Community Center. “Give ourselves a moment to feel a connection with Mama Earth.” 

Chairs and floor slightly vibrate in response. After a short meditation, the reporters attending a recent Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Philadelphia open their eyes.

The post Reporting on local food systems first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/26/reporting-on-local-food-systems/

Vladislava Sukhanovskaya

On:
In: AP, Equity and Environmental Justice, Feature Homepage, flint, Groundwater Contamination, Latest News, Lead, Michigan, News, Politics, Policy, Environmental Justice, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
Children of Flint water crisis make change as young environmental and health activists

By Tammy Webber, Associated Press

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Their childhood memories are still vivid: warnings against drinking or cooking with tap water, enduring long lines for cases of water, washing from buckets filled with heated, bottled water. And for some, stomach aches, skin rashes and hair loss.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/04/children-of-flint-water-crisis-make-change-as-young-environmental-and-health-activists/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Authors, great lakes news collaborative, Latest News, Lisa John Rogers, News, PFAS, PFAS News Roundup, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts
PFAS New Roundup: PFAS are shown to be unique bipartisan voting concern in Wisconsin

Nearly 70% of Wisconsin voters polled by Marquette University Law School showed concern about PFAS in drinking water. A uniquely uniting force from across the political aisle, which is not reflected at the state level. Last week, elected officials were once again deadlocked over how to spend the $125 million that was set aside — in May 2023 — to solve the crisis.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/04/pfas-new-roundup-pfas-are-shown-to-be-unique-bipartisan-voting-concern-in-wisconsin/

Lisa John Rogers, Great Lakes Now

On:
In: Communication
Throughout 2024, NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary! NOAA GLERL is one of ten Federal research laboratories in the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research line office of NOAA. Designated on April 25, 1974, GLERL was … Continue reading →

Original Article

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

https://noaaglerl.blog/2024/04/25/noaa-glerl-at-50-half-a-century-of-great-lakes-science-in-service-to-society/

Gabrielle Farina

On:
In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Fish, Birds and Animals, Kari Lydersen, Lake Ontario, Latest News, News, Science, Technology, Research
Marbled crayfish raises eyebrows, and concerns

It all started with a mottled little crustacean crawling across a soccer field in Ontario’s Burlington City Park in October 2021, a few miles from Lake Ontario.

The animal may have looked innocuous, but this was the first sign of a costly and grueling ongoing battle against a potentially devastating new invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/04/marbled-crayfish-raises-eyebrows-and-concerns/

Kari Lydersen

On:
In: Commentary, Land

Nestled in the heart of an urban and busy city, Wissahickon Valley Park of Philadelphia provides a place for city dwellers to enjoy the sanctuary of nature.

A popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, historians and even wedding-goers, the park houses over 50 miles of trails and encompasses over 2,000 protected acres along a stretch of the Wissahickon Creek as it passes through northwest Philadelphia. 

The post Journalists hike urban wilderness of Wissahickon Valley Park first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2024/04/25/journalists-hike-urban-wilderness-of-wissahickon-valley-park/

Shealyn Paulis

On:
In: Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Partnership, Collaboration, Latest News, News
Michigan gets $290M boost for water upgrades as Flint crisis anniversary nears

By Kelly House, Bridge Michigan

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit PBS; Michigan Public, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; and The Narwhal who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/04/michigan-gets-290m-boost-for-water-upgrades-as-flint-crisis-anniversary-nears/

Bridge Michigan

On:
In: 2024, AIS, angling, aquatic invasive species, Boating, conservation, fishing, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, FWWA, invasive, invasive species, Lake Butte des Morts, Lake Poygan, Lake Winnebago, Lake Winneconne, Spiny Waterflea, waterflea, Winnebago, Winnebago Lakes, Winnebago Waterways

Additional Monitoring Reveals No Other Spiny Waterfleas

Following up from a spiny water flea finding in Lake Winnebago in 2022, the WI Department of Natural Resources and local partners conducted extensive monitoring for spiny water fleas through the summer and fall of 2022. Biologists were searching for additional adult spiny waterfleas as well as eggs that would have been laid in the sediment of the lake. Following analysis of the samples collected, we are please to report that no evidence of spiny waterflea were found which includes not finding any eggs!

This is fantastic news for our waterways! Currently, there is no evidence that the spiny waterfleas found in 2022 were able to establish a population in Lake Winnebago. Ongoing monitoring by UW-Green Bay as part of the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) AIS Monitoring Program will continue to keep an eye out for spiny waterflea and other invasive species.

Remember- an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s easy to help prevent the spread of all aquatic invasive species between lakes. No matter what lake or river you visit, follow these steps to protect your wild places:

Spiny waterflea on a fingertip

· Inspect equipment (boats, fishing line, etc.) for attached aquatic plant, animals, or mud

· Remove all attached plants or animals

· Drain all water from buckets and containers

· Never move live fish away from a waterbody (fish out of water = dead)

Photo Credit: Riley Schultz (UWGB), WI Sea Grant, Donn Brandstrator (UM-Duluth), Chris Acy

Questions? Comments? Contact Chris Acy, the AIS Coordinator covering Brown, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties at (920) 460-3674 or chris@fwwa.org!

Follow the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance’s Winnebago Waterways Program on our Winnebago Waterways Facebook page or @WinnWaterways on Twitter! You can also sign-up for email updates at WinnebagoWaterways.org.

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance program. The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is an independent nonprofit organization that identifies and advocates effective policies and actions that protect, restore, and sustain water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin.

Check out the Keepers of the Fox Program at https://fwwa.org/watershed-recovery/lower-fox-recovery/

Reporting invasive species is a first step in containing their spread. Maintaining and restoring our waters and landscapes can reduce the impacts even when we don’t have other management options to an invasive species.

The post Update: 2022 Spiny Waterflea Findings in Lake Winnebago appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2024/04/24/update-2022-spiny-waterflea-findings-in-lake-winnebago/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=update-2022-spiny-waterflea-findings-in-lake-winnebago

Chris Acy

On:
In: 2024 Robert and Carroll Heideman Award for Excellence in Public Service and Outreach, David Hart, Wisconsin Idea
Group of three people standing in a room.

David Hart (center) talks with Sea Grant Fisheries Specialist Titus Seilheimer and Congresswoman Gwen Moore.

David Hart has been named the winner of the 2024 Robert and Carroll Heideman Award for Excellence in Public Service and Outreach for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The award will be officially conferred during an award ceremony the evening of April 24. 

Hart is the assistant director for extension and is also a specialist in geographic information science, urban planning and coastal managements skills.  

“I’ve had a lifelong fascination with maps and nature. I remember when I realized that fascination could lead to a career. I love applying geographic information science to better understand the Great Lakes and finding those moments when it becomes clear that something you’ve done has had an impact to make things better,” Hart said.

His embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea, the tenet that the boundaries of the university are the boundaries of the state and the expertise of the campus is used for the benefit of the state’s residents, led him to the honor.

 “I work at an organization with great people advancing an important mission to enhance the conservation and health of Great Lakes resources and the well-being of Great Lakes communities,” he said. “I feel the award is a reflection of those people and that mission and I’m humbled and honored of the recognition that comes with it.”

Large group of people standing on a beach with a lake in the background and a high bluff to the right.

David Hart (facing camera and third from the right) convenes field trips and invites speakers, such as this one, where a geoscientist is discussing the effects of Lake Michigan on surrounding beaches and bluffs. This convening of local officials and scientists is one of the hallmarks of Hart’s work to expand the Wisconsin Idea.

This award is given to an individual who reflects the public service mission of the university. That public service was highlighted by those who wrote to support his nomination. One state-level official said, “He led development of the Wisconsin Coastal Atlas and the Wisconsin Coastal Guide, both of which remain important online tools for viewing and exploring information about the Great Lakes. Professional planners and resource managers regularly use the Coastal Atlas to explore and analyze coastal issues, share coastal data and inform decision-making about sustainable use of the Great Lakes. Consistent with the Wisconsin Idea, this tool makes the knowledge and expertise of the university available to a wide range of users.”

The writer continued, “David’s efforts to network Wisconsin’s Coastal Atlas with similar tools via the internet has allowed stakeholders to investigate the effects of complex issues—like climate change and invasive species—more rigorously and on more appropriate scales. Similarly, the Wisconsin Coastal Guide helps recreationalists and tourists find coastal information leading to deeper experiences with our Great Lakes.”

In addition to Hart’s own geospatial technology work, he oversees the efforts of 13 outreach specialists. The specialists both solicit thoughts about local needs, seeking to find solutions and offer resources, as well as share their knowledge and the findings born of Sea Grant research. The team of specialists are leaders in fisheries, coastal engineering, tourism, climate change, coastal community challenges, food fish outreach, aquaculture, social science, emerging contaminants, aquatic invasive species, education and workforce development.

One of Hart’s colleagues who fills a similar role with Michigan Sea Grant said, “David consistently demonstrates his competency and willingness to work effectively with others for the common good. And, when misunderstandings inevitably happen, David humbly invites others into conversations that need to repair any misunderstandings and identify how to move forward together, including when it involves modifying procedures, creating best practices, or reprioritizing current tasks to create an optimal, collaborative working environment that values and includes all perspectives.”

With award-winning work behind him, Hart stressed he will continue efforts to advance the Wisconsin Idea. “I’m currently collaborating with planners, cartographers and environmental educators to address coastal natural hazards, enhance public access to the coast, use story maps to share Great Lakes natural and cultural heritage and apply a process called geodesign that links scenario planning and impact simulation to promote green stormwater infrastructure.”

The post Hart wins prestigious outreach award in honor of service to Wisconsin first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/hart-wins-prestigious-outreach-award-in-honor-of-service-to-wisconsin/

Moira Harrington

On:
In: Daily News

Michigan is adding $290 million in infrastructure investments to the MI Clean Water Plan. Municipal and community water systems will be eligible to apply for low-interest loans to help public water suppliers ensure safe and clean drinking water. Read the full story by WXMI-TV – Grand Rapids, MI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240424-mi-clean-water

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

Twenty-two million pounds of plastic waste end up in the Great Lakes every year. About half of that waste ends up in Lake Michigan alone. Samira Hanessian, energy policy director with the Illinois Environmental Council, discusses why buying sustainable matters. Read the full story by WLS-TV – Chicago, IL.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240424-plastic-pollution

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

This past winter was one of the warmest on record. It led to record-low ice coverage on all five Great Lakes, a sign that the world’s largest freshwater system is not immune to climate change. Read the full story by WLS-TV – Chicago, IL.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240424-ice-coverage

Theresa Gruninger

On:
In: Daily News

The Ohio Department of Agriculture recently hosted a discussion around water conservation with agricultural leaders from Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan to focus on improving water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Read the full story by Outdoor News.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20240424-ag-leaders-meet

Theresa Gruninger