Scientists look for clues to Lake Superior algae blooms

By Dan Kraker, Minnesota Public Radio

A couple weekends ago, Cody Sheik was at a friend’s wedding on Duluth’s Park Point, sipping champagne down on the Lake Superior beach, when he spotted something unusual in the normally crystal clear water.

“It was definitely a bloom,” he recalled.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/scientists-clues-lake-superior-algae-blooms/

Dan Kraker

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Brown, southeastern Portage, Kewaunee, Calumet, Winnebago, Waushara, southern Waupaca, Outagamie and Manitowoc Counties through 1230 PM CDT... At 1125 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 7 miles northeast of Black Creek to 6 miles east of Kaukauna to near Central Lake Winnebago. Movement was east

Original Article

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories for Brown (WIC009) Wisconsin Issued by the National Weather Service

https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=WI1261B2FEADF0.SpecialWeatherStatement.1261B2FED5C8WI.GRBSPSGRB.49ba12c528f95a4904203ed116f11364

w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov

Minnesota wildfires disappoint travelers and outfitters

ELY, Minn. (AP) — Ely is typically teeming this time of year with visitors heading out on or returning from excursions into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. But about the only cars in the northeastern Minnesota town with canoes strapped to their tops this week are leaving.

Several fires inside and just outside the country’s most visited wilderness area led officials to close it last weekend, dealing a blow to those who spent months planning their trips there and to the outfitters and other businesses that depend on them.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-minnesota-wildfires-disappoint-travelers-outfitters/

The Associated Press

August 20, 2021

This week: Attention Water Advocates: Apply for Freshwater Future Grants by September 30 + Hope for Chicago Residents through Utility Bill Relief + Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Speak for Wetland and Stream Protections + State Updates Pellston, MI Community on PFAS Contamination Investigation + Genetic Control Methods Studied to Reduce Invasive Mussels


Attention Water Advocates: Apply for Freshwater Future Grants by September 30

Freshwater Future has been fortunate to provide nearly $5 million in grants to grassroots community organizations over more than 25 years. Community-based and grassroots organizations working on a water issue to encourage permanent change at the corporate, community, or regulatory level may be eligible for funding. You can learn more about our Grants Program by watching this recorded webinar.  


Hope for Chicago Residents through Utility Bill Relief

With one of the largest bodies of freshwater in its backyard, it is unbelievable that many Chicagoans don’t have water service or cannot afford their water bill. The city of Chicago is combating this with their Utility Billing Relief program, but this allows many to fall through the cracks of the program because only homeowners in certain income requirements qualify. For assistance applying for the Utility Billing Relief program, you can connect with one of Freshwater Future’s partners, the Chicago Water Alliance.


Don’t Miss Your Opportunity to Speak for Wetland and Stream Protections 

The U.S. EPA wants to hear from you! They want to hear if you believe the Dirty Water Rule should be repealed and what waterways should be protected under the Clean Water Act. As a reminder, the Dirty Water Rule would wipe out protections from at least 50% of the remaining wetlands and approximately 18% of stream miles across the country, according to the U.S. EPA. Tell the U.S. EPA to repeal this destructive rule today and restore the protections for small streams and wetlands that help cleanse our drinking water of pollution. You can attend and provide comments at one of the remaining public hearings.  


State Updates Pellston, MI Community on PFAS Contamination Investigation

Recently Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) officials gave an update on their investigation to determine the extent of groundwater contaminated by fire retardants containing PFAS chemicals used at the local airport.  The village does not have a public water supply and homeowners source their water from private wells. So far 107 homes have received water filters to reduce the contamination and will need to continue to use the filters until a long-term solution is implemented. 


Genetic Control Methods Studied to Reduce Invasive Mussels 

Zebra mussels have caused angst in the Great Lakes for over 30 years, endangering native species and throwing the aquatic ecosystem out of balance. Scientists are using the DNA blueprint or genome of zebra mussels to identify potential targets to control and reduce populations and impacts.  The work is in its infancy but it may provide options to reduce their threat and reproduction throughout our waters without harming other species in the process. 

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/freshwater-weekly/freshwater-future-weekly-august-20-2021/

Freshwater Future

This week: Water System Infrastructure Included in $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill + Utility Debt Relief Will Help Keep Water on as COVID Surges + Lake Erie Challenge + New Sail Drones Used to Collect Data on Great Lakes + Grant Webinar on August 18 + Water is Life Festival on September 3


Water System Infrastructure Included in $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill

After decades of little investment in our nation’s infrastructure, the Biden administration has passed a much needed $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. The largest share of the funds, $110 billion will go to roads. with $55 billion for improvements to water systems infrastructure. The nation is well overdue for an upgrade in its infrastructure and passing this bill is a big step forward in improving the quality of water and the efficiencies of our water systems.


Utility Debt Relief Could Help Keep Water on as COVID Surges

Millions of people across the country currently do not have access to tap water or are facing their water being shut-off due to the billions of dollars of utility debt that has grown exponentially during the pandemic. As the Delta COVID variant cases ramp up, it is imperative to pass legislation that secures utility debt relief so everyone has the ability to wash their hands and masks.  A recently introduced bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would eliminate water, electric, and internet household debt. You can help get this important bill passed.


The Lake Erie Challenge is coming August 28!

Lake Erie is one of the largest bodies of water providing drinking water, places for recreation, and habitat for aquatic life, yet it is still struggling with Harmful Algal Blooms due largely to agricultural runoff. On August 28th, local athletes are taking the Lake Erie Challenge with the Canadian Freshwater Alliance. They will cover 80km via SUPs, canoes, and wing foils to celebrate and protect #LakeErie. Learn more and lend your support at LakeErieChallenge.ca


New Saildrones Used to Collect Data on Great Lakes

Innovative technology called saildrones set sail on the Great Lakes to collect scientific data including meteorological data. The pair of 23-foot tall saildrones are gathering information on fish in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in August and September. The technology is built with solar energy for charging and wind energy for movement. Click here to learn more about the saildrones study in the Great Lakes. 


Need Funds for Your Water Work? Join the Grants Webinar on August 18

Freshwater Future has been fortunate to provide Grant Programs for grassroots community organizations for over 25 years. Learn more about our Grants Program, Wednesday, August 18, 2021 – noon (EST). To register online, please click HERE. To register by email or phone, please contact laurie@freshwaterfuture.org (231)348-8200. Also, visit the map on our website to learn more about our Grant Programs funding initiatives and their impact on past projects. 


Water is Life Festival

On September 3rd the Water is Life Festival will be back to host the celebration of water in support of protecting waters rights. The 2021 Water is Life Festival will be in Conkling Park, Mackinac Island, MI. The Festival boasts an amazing lineup of musicians as well as a host of other fun activities! Register now for the event for a chance to win exciting door prizes.

Original Article

Blog – Freshwater Future

Blog – Freshwater Future

https://freshwaterfuture.org/freshwater-weekly/freshwater-future-weekly-august-13-2021/

Freshwater Future

Lake Superior Summer: Blue-green algal blooms come to a lake once believed immune

On a calm morning in late summer 2019, Jim Bailey was kayaking on Lake Superior near Thunder Bay, Ontario, when he found himself paddling through thick green scum, the likes of which he’d never seen in those waters. Puzzled, he headed into the open bay where he could see green patches stretching out about 3 kilometers.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/lake-superior-summer-algae-bloom/

Sharon Oosthoek

Illinois woman swims across iconic Michigan lake twice

ALDEN, Mich. (AP) — A medical student from Illinois has swum across one of Michigan’s largest inland lakes — twice — to raise money and awareness about diabetes.

Marian Cardwell accomplished the 35-mile feat at Torch Lake in Antrim County after dropping a plan to swim across Lake Michigan from Chicago to Grand Haven, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-illinois-woman-swims-michigan-torch-lake-twice/

The Associated Press

Program aims to capture storm drain debris headed to lake

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (AP) — A new program in Macomb County aims to reduce the amount of trash that reaches Lake St. Clair from a storm drain.

A steel bulkhead and a boom have been installed at the outlet of the sewer to capture floating debris before it enters the lake, the Macomb County Public Works office said.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-program-storm-drain-debris-lake-st-clair/

The Associated Press

Cuyahoga County’s lakefront in northern Ohio is now a water trail, as designated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The Lake Erie Water Trail features more than a dozen official access points to the water with a variety of amenities, designed to increase recreational water access and provide opportunities for environmental awareness and stewardship. Read the full story by Idea Stream.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210823-trail

Ceci Weibert

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff will be applying a chemical treatment at several locations in Wisconsin waterways to kill invasive sea lamprey larvae that have burrowed into the bottom of the Oconto River. Read the full story by the Green Bay Press Gazette.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210823-lamprey

Ceci Weibert

Michigan’s fire history, as told by its fire-scarred tree stumps, has something to say about the future of fire.

The post Tree-ring research illuminates early fire history of Lower Michigan first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/08/23/tree-ring-research-illuminates-early-fire-history-of-lower-michigan/

Marie Orttenburger

Forest Service says lightning caused Minnesota wildfire

ISABELLA, Minn. (AP) — A wildfire in the Superior National Forest of northeastern Minnesota that crews have been fighting since the weekend has grown to 6 1/4 square miles (16 square kilometers), but U.S. Forest Service officials said Thursday morning that it grew little overnight.

The Forest Service said lightning caused the fire near Greenwood Lake, about 25 miles southwest of Isabella, which was first spotted Sunday.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-forest-service-lightning-minnesota-wildfire/

The Associated Press

Minnesota pollution control and natural resources officials on Wednesday released a $700 million plan to improve the drinking water for 14 Twin Cities communities whose groundwater was contaminated due to decades-long chemical disposal by 3M Co. Read the full story by The Associated Press.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210820-3m-chemicals

Ken Gibbons

Canada commits $340 million to Indigenous protected areas, guardians programs

By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal

This story originally appeared in The Narwhal and is republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story.

The Canadian government is investing $340 million to support Indigenous guardians and Indigenous Protected Areas as part of its commitment to conserving 30 per cent of the country’s lands and waters by 2030.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/canada-340-million-indigenous-protected-areas-guardians-programs/

The Narwhal

Did you know the first female conservation officer in the United States was from Michigan? It was 1897 when state game warden and future Michigan governor Chase Osborn appointed Huldah Neal deputy game warden for Grand Traverse County. Read the full story by MLive.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210820-trailblazer

Ken Gibbons

The full moon of August will be visible this weekend. This month’s nickname for the full moon goes by the Sturgeon Moon. This is because in the past, sturgeon of the Great Lakes were mostly caught by Native Americans in this portion of the summer. Read the full story by WFRV-TV – Green Bay, WI.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210820-stuegeon-moon

Ken Gibbons

Senator Debbie Stabenow said Northern Michiganders stand to benefit from the Senate-approved infrastructure bill, with provisions that would help finance the ongoing Soo Locks improvements, and could help shoreline communities respond to their eroding waterfronts. Read the full story by the Petoskey News-Review.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210820-infrastructure

Ken Gibbons

Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is assessing the state’s water quality, something that’s necessary in a state that’s rich in water resources. The department is conducting its annual surface water sampling to protect human health and aquatic life and to maintain suitability for recreation. Read the full story by the Manistee News Advocate.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210820-sampling

Ken Gibbons

You could say that preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) is a team sport. While it takes the professional efforts of natural resource managers, AIS specialists and others in the environmental field, it also takes the cooperation of the public.

Professionals encourage and rely on boaters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to take preventative actions such as cleaning, draining and drying their boats and other watercraft and not moving water or live bait from one lake to another. Successful management of AIS and the help of a vigilant public go hand in hand.

Yet for community members to take necessary actions, they must first be aware of the negative impacts AIS can have and how to stop their spread. Communicating with them about AIS in an effective way is vital.

New research from Wisconsin Sea Grant Aquatic Invasive Species Outreach Specialist Tim Campbell, University of Wisconsin-Madison Associate Professor Bret Shaw and consultant Barry T. Radler sheds new light on such communication. The researchers analyzed which communication strategies are most effective and which may pose unintended problems. Shaw is a faculty member in the Department of Life Sciences Communication and is also an environmental communication specialist in the university’s Division of Extension.

The team’s findings were published online Aug. 14 in the journal Environmental Management (“Testing Emphasis Message Frames and Metaphors on Social Media to Engage Boaters to Learn about Preventing the Spread of Zebra Mussels”).

This advertisement is an example of the “science” message framing–a straightforward, factual approach. (Artwork by Brooke Alexander)

The trio used Facebook as a platform to test five types of messages—each invoking a different metaphor or message frame—to educate people about zebra mussels, a significant problem in the Great Lakes and elsewhere. These communication strategies can shape how people understand and form opinions about complex issues.

Paid advertising on Facebook and the social media site’s message-testing feature enabled the researchers to present these different messages to 270,000 people in Wisconsin with an interest in lakes, boating or fishing.

Although the ads presented messages similar to those commonly used in invasive species communication, up until this point little testing had actually been done about their effectiveness. The commonly used message frames were dubbed hitchhiker, militaristic, nativist, science and protective. The messages were paired with artwork by Brooke Alexander.

Many communication goals, the team found, can be achieved by using fact-based or more positive message frames. In general, the science frame—a direct, factual approach—will always perform at least as well as nativist and militaristic frames.

Said Campbell, “This work provides real-world results that can help those working with invasive species achieve their desired communication results, while avoiding possible unintended consequences from their messaging.” For example, nativist message framing (e.g., “alien,” “exotic”) can have unwanted xenophobic connotations while also not performing better than other frames on any tested metric.

Militaristic message framing can be fraught with unintended connotations. (Artwork by Brooke Alexander)

Similarly, militaristic framing (such as stating we are “at war” with invasive species) can create potentially unhealthy relationships with nature and misguided views on how to manage invasive species.

Shaw noted that the metrics tested for the Facebook ads included cost-per-click, shares and comments. As he explained, “Many scholars and AIS professionals have debated the use of nativist or militaristic language in prevention campaigns, since many of them find that language to be fraught with unwanted implications. Based on our research, we recommend that outreach professionals skip those nativist and militaristic frames and focus instead on clearly communicated science.”

The team’s journal article may be read online. The research was supported by Wisconsin Sea Grant and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

For further information, contact Campbell at tim.campbell@wisc.edu.

The post New research provides guidance for effective public messaging about invasive species prevention first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/new-research-provides-guidance-for-effective-public-messaging-about-invasive-species-prevention/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-research-provides-guidance-for-effective-public-messaging-about-invasive-species-prevention

Jennifer Smith

Job Opportunities

 

Position Available: Administrative Coordinator

Application deadline: September 10, 2021  |   Download PDF

 

Description

The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) has an immediate opening for a part-time administrative coordinator. This position will work under the direction of the executive director and deputy director, and will assist with a wide range of administrative activities for the GLC and its staff. This position requires a skilled and highly organized person who can work as part of a team, and can also exercise independent judgment in a busy, deadline-driven environment. This position will serve as the initial point of contact for GLC visitors, Commissioners and partners, a role that requires a professional and positive attitude, and the ability to quickly learn and understand GLC structure and operations, organizational culture and decision-making.

Responsibilities

The administrative coordinator will be responsible for a variety of activities in support of GLC operations and programs, including general office administration, as well as scheduling and meeting support.

Specific responsibilities include:

Office Communication:

  • Greet building visitors and respond to general inquiries.

  • Manage the general voicemail box (forward voicemails to appropriate staff and respond to callers seeking general information). 

  • Manage incoming and outgoing mail and shipping services.

  • Manage and organize administrative and operational forms and files.

  • Manage GLC Board, Commissioner and Observer rosters.

  • Compose correspondence with GLC Board, Commissioners, Observers or other partners as requested by the executive or deputy director.

Scheduling and Meeting Support:

  • Assist staff with securing travel, hotel and meeting accommodations.

  • Provide logistical support and assist staff with in-office and project-specific meetings, including preparation and printing of materials (e.g., name tags, attendee lists).

  • Take minutes for and work with the executive director to coordinate monthly GLC Board meetings.

  • Provide logistical and administrative support for GLC’s three primary meetings a year including:

    • Manage online registration and payment, and reconcile final payments and receipts.

    • Negotiate and manage vendor contracts and payments; ensure events are within budget.

    • Work with venue staff and host state/province designee(s) to coordinate meeting, social event and field trip logistics.

    • Provide day-of meeting coordination (managing registration, directing event set-up, communicating with Commissioners and staff, organizing vendors, and managing breakdown).

    • Assist in preparation and printing of materials (e.g., name tags, attendee lists, briefing items).

    • Maintain and manage GLC meeting equipment and supplies.

Office Administration:

  • Work with the executive director and deputy director to devise and implement strategic administrative improvements.

  • Assist with the operation of shared office equipment; perform light maintenance and troubleshooting.

  • Assist with scanning, bulk printing and copying.

  • Work with equipment vendors, scheduling ongoing maintenance and arranging for repairs when equipment malfunctions.

  • Work with building management company, manage issues as they arise and coordinate requests for building service, maintenance and repair.

  • Manage relationship with contracted cleaning company; address issues as they arise and coordinate ongoing and special cleaning requests.

  • Manage inventory of office supplies; purchase and distribute supplies when needed.

Qualifications

A high school diploma (or equivalent) and a minimum of three years’ experience in an administrative setting is required, along with the following qualifications:

  • Outstanding ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with colleagues and individuals inside and outside the agency

  • Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail

  • Demonstrated proactive approach to problem-solving, both independently and in a team setting

  • Ability to perform well under pressure

  • Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information in a professional and mature manner

  • Exceptional computer skills, including (but not limited to):

    • Proficiency with the Microsoft© Windows 10 operating system and associated products (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.)

    • Adept at using the Internet for travel and meeting arrangements, postage and shipping, online account management, etc.

    • Ability to type quickly and accurately

    • Ability to prepare and format professional documents

The ideal candidate would also bring one or more of the following skills and experience to the position:

  • Associate degree or higher in a related field

  • Experience coordinating meetings or events

  • Experience managing online or virtual events using web and videoconferencing platforms (e.g., Zoom)

Appointment

Position Classification and Compensation
The position is classified as regular, part-time as defined by the GLC’s personnel policies, with the successful candidate working a minimum of 20 hours per week, up to a maximum of 29 hours per week. The hourly rate for this position is $30 per hour. The GLC may consider reclassifying the position to full-time in the future, based on agency needs.

Work Environment
The GLC is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is expected that the majority of work is performed in the GLC’s office; however, occasional telework may be considered. This position requires occasional travel and occasional work outside of normal business hours.

Application Process

Applicants must submit their resume and a cover letter stating their interest in and qualifications for the position as a single PDF document via email to vacancy@glc.org. All required items must be provided for an application to receive consideration. No phone calls, please.

About the Great Lakes Commission

The Great Lakes Commission 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Great Lakes Commission strives to create an inclusive, diverse and non-discriminatory workplace. The Great Lakes Commission is an equal opportunity employer; the Great Lakes Commission complies with applicable federal, state and local laws prohibiting discrimination. It is Great Lakes Commission policy that no person shall be discriminated against, as an employee or applicant for employment, because of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Contact

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

Recent GLC News

Upcoming GLC Events

View GLC Calendar

ARCHIVES

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/news/position-available-admin-2021

Laura Andrews

Climate impact of coal sales from US lands scrutinized

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. officials launched a review Thursday of climate damage caused by coal mining on public lands as the Biden administration expands its scrutiny of government fossil fuel sales that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

The review also will consider if companies are paying fair value for coal extracted from public reserves in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah and other states.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-climate-impact-coal-sales-us-lands/

The Associated Press

Minnesota issues plan to treat water marred by 3M chemicals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota pollution control and natural resources officials on Wednesday released a $700 million plan to improve the drinking water for 14 Twin Cities communities whose groundwater was contaminated due to decades-long chemical disposal by 3M Co.

The long-term plan aims to build or improve six water treatment plants and treat 33 municipal wells while connecting nearly 300 homes to municipal water systems and providing home filtration systems to residents with private wells in the meantime.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/ap-minnesota-pfas-water-infrastructure-3m-chemicals/

The Associated Press

Members of the International Joint Commission (IJC) and International Lake Superior Board of Control (ILSBC) appeared before the Tiny Township, Ontario council to give a presentation on Georgian Bay and Upper Great Lakes water levels at a recent committee of the whole meeting. Read and listen to the full story by Midland Today.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210818-water-regulation

Jill Estrada

Four years after officials from central and northern New York submitted a nomination to make Lake Ontario a national marine sanctuary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has drafted a plan to make this dream a reality. Read the full story by WRVO -TV- Oswego, NY.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210818-ontario

Jill Estrada

Standing on the banks of the Niagara River at Niawanda Park in Tonawanda on Monday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer revealed an historic $1 billion federal investment – the largest ever single investment – in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Read the full story by the Orleans Hub.

Original Article

Great Lakes Commission

Great Lakes Commission

https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20210818-glri

Jill Estrada

If you’re interested in sustainable farming practices and how fish gets to your plate, an upcoming virtual event is for you.  The second annual Sea Grant Great Lakes Aquaculture Days will take place Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. This year, the event is moving from a single day to three days of fun-filled aquaculture learning opportunities!

The interactive event will showcase the region’s fish and seafood production through virtual farm tours, live interviews with farmers and Q&A sessions. 

The event is free and open to the public.  Registration is required. Farm tours begin at 2 and 3 p.m. central time each day (3 and 4 p.m. Eastern). Tours last approximately 15 minutes, followed by live interviews and Q&A with the featured farmers.

The event will showcase farms across the Great Lakes region that have been successful in creating viable businesses, producing high quality products and limiting their environmental impacts.  Farm tours will highlight different aquaculture methods. Each farm is privately owned and operates in a unique way, producing a variety of different species. Attendees will learn about the diversity of aquaculture operations in the Great Lakes region.

The farm tour lineup is as follows: 

  • Aug. 31, 2 p.m.: Branch River Trout Hatchery, Wisconsin – raceways in combination with a winery
  • Aug. 31, 3 p.m.: Cedar Brook Trout Farm, Michigan – trout raceways
  • Sept. 1, 2 p.m.: Hickling’s Fish Farm, New York – bass and trout raceways and ponds
  • Sept. 1, 3 p.m.: Ozark Fisheries, Indiana/Missouri – pond and flowthrough
  • Sept. 2, 2 p.m.: Ripple Rock Fish Farms, Ohio  – recirculating aquaculture system
  • Sept. 2, 3 p.m.: Lincoln Bait LLC, Minnesota – bait farm

The event is hosted by the Sea Grant Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative, which is a project of Sea Grant programs across the Great Lakes region working to share resources and promote best practices throughout the aquaculture industry. Wisconsin Sea Grant is a member of this effort; for more Wisconsin-related information about Aquaculture Days, contact Titus Seilheimer, fisheries outreach specialist.

Attendees will have opportunities to interact with other participants through the question-and-answer sessions at the end of each farm tour. These sessions also offer a chance to pick the brains of experienced aquaculture operators across the region. 

Globally, aquaculture is the fastest growing sector of agriculture. It now accounts for more than 50% of the world’s seafood production, surpassing production from wild-caught fisheries. However, in the United States, the growth of aquaculture has been stagnant, and seafood supply from U.S.-based, wild-caught fisheries is not enough to meet the national demand. One result is a $14 billion seafood trade deficit. 

The U.S. aquaculture industry has the potential for growth, especially in the Great Lakes region, where abundant inland freshwater resources have enabled a handful of aquaculture operations that employ a local workforce and produce sustainable, healthy and tasty fish. 

In Wisconsin, consumers can learn more about fish that is both farmed and wild-caught in the state by visiting EatWisconsinFish.org, a project of Wisconsin Sea Grant. The site includes recipes, information about producers, health facts and more.

For more information about Great Lakes Aquaculture Days 2021 or to register, visit greatlakesseagrant.com/aquaculture or contact Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator Elliot Nelson, elliotne@msu.edu. For information about the Sea Grant Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative, contact Minnesota Sea Grant Extension Educator Amy Schrank, aschrank@umn.edu.

The post Aquaculture Days virtual event connects public with fish farmers and local fish first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases | Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/aquaculture-days-virtual-event-connects-public-with-fish-farmers-and-local-fish/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=aquaculture-days-virtual-event-connects-public-with-fish-farmers-and-local-fish

Jennifer Smith

Grayling Revival: Researchers hope to reintroduce a once-abundant native fish

Every year, Nicole and Tom Watson take a trip to Alaska. Like the typical tourist, they enjoy fly fishing and experiencing the untamed wilderness, yet their visit is no ordinary vacation. Among their duffel bags and backpacks, there’s a special piece of carry-on luggage: a carefully sealed container of fish eggs.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/08/grayling-revival-researchers-native-fish/

Noah Bock