The Environment Report - Delta College Public Radio: Recent Episodes
Delta College Public Radio
Jeff Kart, a.k.a. "Mr. Great Lakes," hosts Delta College Public Radio's weekly look at environmental issues.
The Green Energy Neighbors program connects homeowners considering efficiency and energy improvements with people who have already made them. Nearly 100 parcels are going to auction in August, including river and lake frontage, and forested land. Former members of climate.gov have started climate.us.Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/More information:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
and Audubon Great Lakes is cheering about money for wetlands in Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget.For more information:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
See how the Great Lakes influence local weather and regional climate. At last check, Bay County hasn't had any reported summer bat roosts this year. And solar is seeing a summer surge.Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/More from Mr. Great Lakes:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Great Lakes Observing System:http://glos.org/Michigan Bat Roost Monitoring Program:https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/programs/michigan-bat-roost-monitoring-program
Walleye is now the most-harvested species in the Great Lakes and some beach safety tips as we head into summer.Learn more:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
The Callery pear tree is among six species added to Michigan’s official list of invasive plants and World Otter Day was celebrated this week.Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
The U.S. Coast Guard is using autonomous Saildrones on the Great Lakes. As gas prices rise, so do electric vehicle sales. Beach wellness is a couple of weeks away.Learn more:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Michigan United Conservation Clubs is being dissolved after nearly 90 years of advocacy. AI may be a crystal ball for weather forecasting. Pink salmon may be on the dinner menu but they’re also considered invasive in the Great Lakes.Learn more:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Michigan needs a lot more dam investment. Macroinvertebrates like dragonfly and mayfly larvae are key indicators of stream health. More information:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Sustainability in the Great Lakes region just received a $45 million boost and fishery workshops are scheduled for April.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
New agreements between Michigan utilities and advocates will lower energy bills and invest in home improvements. A Battery Circularity Program aims to improve how batteries are collected, recycled and reprocessed across the state. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis says in a recent bulletin that “blistering pace of the buildout of solar and battery storage” appears set to continue for at least the next two years in the United States.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
What are the top five priorities for the Great Lakes? The Michigan Clean Water Corps is looking for volunteers. Midland Township and eight other communities will host solar power and battery storage projects to advance clean energy. For more information:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
A binational report card is out for Lake Huron. Nine Michigan airports are receiving money from the state to deal with PFAS contamination. You and three of your friends can be lighthouse keepers.Learn more:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
If current demand continues, data centers will drive up emissions and electricity costs. Michigan drafted a 10-year-plan to grow Michigan’s maritime industry. An online tool built by the Great Lakes Commission tracks major Great Lakes and clean water-related projects.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
To improve water supply predictions, researchers have developed the Great Lakes NBS Predictor. The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association says it’s continuing a Solarize program this year. Michigan has a goal of reaching a 30% recycling rate for residents by 2029. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Saginaw Bay is mentioned in a recent State of the Great Lakes Report and the Global Challenges Foundation has a list of the five biggest risks facing humanity.Learn more:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Listeners of this segment helped it win Science Podcast of the Year for 2025 at the Lakies. There’s no winter or holiday break in the fight against invasive species. The Alliance for the Great Lakes offers training in environmental advocacy. Learn more:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Some tips on cardboard recycling, a citizen science project, and efforts to remove invasive lampreys.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Some Christmas tree factoids and way to count this winter's snowfall.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
New research offers a simple solution to a widespread pollution problem, the AuSable River Scenic Preserve is in the hands of Oscoda Charter Township, and the federal government is back open and newly updated Michigan energy facts are out.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Environmental groups are celebrating a state decision regarding fertilizers used by large-scale farms, climate change is causing fish to shrink, and Lake Huron shipwrecks are helping advance AI.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Michigan State University is studying the benefits of solar panels on farmland, a new documentary follows baby sturgeon released into the Saginaw River system, and a newly constructed reef in the Saginaw Bay is poised to increase fish habitat.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/
Climate change could be driving people to move to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Fall colors are peaking in some areas of Michigan and growing in others. And Bay City has been added to an international Initiative for Resilient Great Lakes Coasts.For more visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast and others like it:https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/
Wetlands will see some protections in the new state budget. And renewable energy and distributed generation continues to grow in Michigan.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/Help support this podcast and others like it:https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/
Bay City is a featured port on a Great Lakes cruise marketing program and Michigan is planning a Lake Huron flooding resilience study. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/
Fall colors are showing up across Michigan. A rare bird is among the first examples of a climate change species. Beach season is over, but E. coli bacteria is still a concern.For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/
Happy anniversary to the Pollution Emergency Alerting System, aka PEAS. Hampton Township is among eight communities sharing almost $2 million in awards to support renewable energy projects. It turns out muskrats are pretty good at battling invasive species.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support Delta College Public Radio:https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/
Exotic mushrooms are invading Michigan and pushing out native fungi, more baby lake sturgeon will soon be swimming in the Saginaw River system, and the clock is ticking on federal clean energy tax credits.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Volunteers are needed for a stream sampling event that uses tiny animals to assess water quality in the Cedar River. Wednesday, Aug. 27, was officially the first-ever World Lake Day, as declared by the United Nations. And range anxiety is a real concern for folks considering an electric vehicle.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
At least 30 beach cleanups are planned in Michigan next month. A 57-pound invasive carp was found in Lake Huron. This summer is shaping up to rival 2023 for air quality alerts in Michigan.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Big batteries are going in at Consumers Energy sites in Hampton and Oscoda townships. Close to 19 million fish have been stocked to rivers and lakes in Michigan this year. Federal scientists are testing a new method for keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
This month, the Lake Guardian began its annual summer water quality survey of the Great Lakes. A $35 million Septic Replacement Loan Program helps Michigan homeowners with the high costs of repairing or replacing failing septic systems. Hundreds of baby sturgeon are coming to the Saginaw Bay watershed.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Bay City celebrates the 30th annual Saginaw Bay Waterfowl & Outdoor Festival, the once-endangered Kirtland’s warbler isn’t doing so well these days, and lawmakers advocating for the Great Lakes have a new statistics hub.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Harmful algal blooms pose a serious danger to dogs at the beach, Lake whitefish are crashing in Lakes Michigan and Huron, and more than a dozen leading scientists released a report highlighting climate change impacts on the Great Lakes region.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Lake Huron is expected to rise by an inch over the next month.The Michigan Clean Water Corps is hosting its first-ever statewide aquatic invasive species BioBlitz from June 28-July 6.The Saginaw Bay Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area is offering free kits to build spotted lanternfly traps.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Local conservation and education efforts are getting a boost from the state.The Great Lakes Stormwater Collaborative is putting on a summer webinar series about stormwater management. The first is June 24. A great day at the beach can be spoiled by pollution. The state has launched an enhanced version of BeachGuard online notification system for closures and advisories.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Sea lamprey control is planned for a Lake Huron tributary.Pinconning-based Serafin Fish Co. has been issued a commercial fishing license for lake whitefish in southern Lake Huron from the port of Harbor Beach.It’s that time of year. University researchers want to know how you feel about ice.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet is pushing for federal funding to expand access to safe, clean drinking water in mid-Michigan.Little Forks Conservancy recently hosted another Cedar River Stream Sampling event, engaging volunteers in collecting valuable data to monitor the health of the watershed.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Climate change is making Michigan summers more dangerous for pregnant women, more than 27 million trees were planted across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region last year, and the nonprofit Conservation Fund is supporting projects that bring green space into Michigan neighborhoods.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Michigan’s recycling rate reached a new high for the fourth year in a row. Permeable pavement can reduce stormwater runoff by up to 19%, a recent study says. Low-carbon energy sources provided nearly 41% of the world’s electricity in 2024.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A Detroit nonprofit called Make Food Not Waste has an initiative to cut Michigan’s food waste in half by 2030. There’s a Give a Scrap Food Scrap Pickup Service available in Bay City, Saginaw and Birch Run. May 31 is the date for a Scrap Tire Drive put on by Bay County Mosquito Control.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Artificial intelligence is putting pressure on the Great Lakes. Bay City’s sister city has committed to protecting Lake Huron. A new program will award millions of dollars in grants to projects that help meet goals of a state Healthy Climate Plan.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Helped Wanted: 12,000 volunteers. That’s the message from the Alliance for the Great Lakes, the environmental group that organizers Adopt-a-Beach cleanups.Earth Day is this week, celebrated on Tuesday, April 22. Executive orders from President Trump aim to halt state climate laws and revive the coal industry. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Climate change is supercharging the water cycle, bringing heavier rain extremes and related flood risks across the U.S.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s largest research vessel, the Lake Guardian, has begun its annual spring water quality survey across the Great Lakes.Part of the “Free-Flowing Success” of environmental efforts last year in the Saginaw Bay region included the Three Ponds Nature Preserve. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
The federal government is giving people more time to comment on a proposal to list the iconic monarch butterfly as threatened.You can learn how to contribute to community science by monitoring for endangered piping plovers and changes along the Lake Huron shoreline.The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association notes that utilities in Michigan can’t stand in the way of residents using a Ford electric vehicle to keep their lights on during power outages.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are expected to change how scientists monitor and model the Great Lakes. You can help monitor water quality in Michigan through the Clean Water Corps. An online Michigan Boating Facility Finder includes an interactive map to find out about launch points, watercraft rules and closures.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Saginaw Bay is among the best ice fishing destinations in the United States. The University of Michigan is using $5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to help make wave and offshore wind energy more reliable, quieter and easier to test.The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation in Birmingham is making a major commitment to the future of the Great Lakes and other key causes, pledging to spend its remaining $350 million over the next decade.Mr. Great Lakes:https://mrgreatlakes.com/Support this podcast:https://www.deltabroadcasting.org/donate/
Recent state grants focus on coastal management. If you want to take an active role in protecting and preserving the Great Lakes, you might want to check out a webinar from the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Fish-eating birds nesting in polluted shoreline areas of Michigan suffer from lower reproductive success and higher rates of deformities.Mr. Great Lakes:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Filter First laws have been in place for a year in Michigan. Michigan saw the most benefits in the nation from federal clean energy funding.Mr. Great Lakeshttps://mrgreatlakes.com/
Worried about how electric vehicles handle cold winters? The latest tech might ease your mind. Algal blooms are often associated with summer but they’re a concern in the winter, too. And there’s a Wildlife Weekend planned for early February at the Department of Natural Resources center in Roscommon.Mr. Great Lakeshttps://mrgreatlakes.com/
Analysts are talking about “lost winter” days around the world. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has an updated action plan for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Michigan saw some “clean water wins” in 2024. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Rep. Dan Kildee says he’s leading a bipartisan effort to stop Canada from storing nuclear waste near the Great Lakes. Geographic Information Systems empower environmental stewardship and decision-making. Consumers Energy has submitted an amended renewable energy plan to the Michigan Public Service Commission.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has become a hotspot for rare owl sightings this fall. Fishery businesses are taking a pledge to make sure no part of a fish goes to waste. And Michigan’s recycling rate is at an all-time high for the third consecutive year.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Central Michigan University researchers are working with communities to prepare for flooding driven by climate change. Michigan's environmental agency has a new air monitoring dashboard. Trump’s agenda is expected to emphasize fossil fuel production, ease environmental regulations, and potentially halt climate-related initiatives.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Great Lakes groups are already reaching out to President-elect Donald Trump. A Michigan Climate Investment Accelerator aims to attract billions of dollars to develop clean energy projects. This year, the state plans to monitor surface water quality in the Saginaw Bay area.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Fall colors peak in the Saginaw Bay region next week. Learn how composting yard waste can fight climate change while enriching your garden. And find out what it means to be climate literate.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
In this episode, we celebrate 15 years of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and explore how utility-scale solar energy projects are boosting property values in the Midwest. Plus, we break down the U.S. EPA’s new lead and copper rule improvements, which mandate the replacement of lead service lines within the next decade.For more information:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel conducting nighttime walleye surveys. Federal agencies are expanding the number of moored heat sensors in lakes Huron, Superior, and Michigan.For more visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A crowdfunding campaign is on to gather the last bit of money for a waterfront park on Saginaw Bay in Linwood. A conceptual vision is out for the site of the old Consumers Energy Karn power plant.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
More baby sturgeon will soon be swimming in the Saginaw Bay watershed. Michigan’s 19 million acres of forests are transitioning to fall colors. Great Lakes advocates will gather in Chicago next week (Sept. 26-27) for the annual conference by the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
If you visit a national park beach, there’s a good chance that the sand beneath your toes contains tiny plastic particles. The State of the Bay Conference is coming back, followed by a One Water Gathering.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge's Wildlife Drive has reopened, Michigan is in the top ten states with the most clean energy jobs, and wipes sold in Michigan can no longer be marketed as "flushable."For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Homeowners associations will be prohibited from banning certain energy improvements and solar energy systems under a state House bill approved by the Senate. The Tittabawassee River Trail provides unique views and opportunities for wildlife observation.
Be prepared for wildfire smoke this summer, an Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz is on at boat launches in Michigan, and the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab in Ann Arbor is posting weekly field sampling data for Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron.
Excessive heat can be a drag, including on air quality. A paper in the Journal of Great Lakes Research identifies Michigan’s Top Ten most unwanted.For more, visit:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A way to check beach monitoring information online, June 29 is Tawas Lake Day, and Michigan officials are seeking proposals for a green maritime strategy.For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A statewide walleye fishing challenge runs through June 30. The Environmental Law & Policy Center has a project that aims to reimagine retired coal plant sites as green spaces.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A failing septic system can bring wastewater into your home and discharge untreated wastewater into the environment. Twenty eight school districts across Michigan will benefit from a federal Clean School Bus Program rebate competition.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A public meeting is planned for May 22 for a three-year Tobico Marsh restoration project. The state has a Pure Michigan program to recognize land and water locations that represent some of the best trail experiences. And in Oscoda County, didymo cells have been found in the Au Sable River.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Michigan Sea Grant has an update on walleye populations in Saginaw Bay. The Sierra Club of Michigan is pushing for environmental justice legislation.For more information: https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A majority of Americans support large scale solar farms, Michigan is receiving $156 million to lower solar costs, and lake sturgeon are no longer endangered.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
The state has a draft plan for recreational fishing in Saginaw Bay and is asking for the public’s help in finalizing it. The vast majority of Great Lakes litter is plastic. For more:https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Where to see the partial eclipse in Michigan and an upcoming Earth Day Action Expo.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Through April 24, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is hosting listening sessions to prepare for federal home energy rebate funding. Michigan is receiving $2 million to help local governments and communities plan for large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Environmental groups are pushing for efforts to protect the Great Lakes and drinking water from microplastics. A nonprofit is looking for Coast Watchers and Piping Plover Monitors. Great Lakes water levels are expected to be lower than last year for the upcoming boating and beach season.For more: https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Invasive carp would be turned into food for people and farmed animals under a new partnership between the World Wildlife Fund and Freshwater Select. Federal funding aims to improve water level forecasts for the Great Lakes, with the ability to predict levels up to a year in advance.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Saginaw Valley State University is moving ahead with plans for a Lake Huron Environmental Research Station. A conservation group is looking for input on plans for a park in Rose City. Where is most new electricity coming from? Solar and battery storage. For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
What’s in store for Michigan under the clean energy package signed into law late last year? Almost $66 million in Clean Water grants will go to Michigan communities to upgrade water infrastructure. Have you heard about Great Lakes ReNEW?For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
February 2 is World Wetlands Day, Midland County’s newest nature preserve just got a boost.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
The U.S. Department of Defense will install two more groundwater treatment systems in Oscoda to address PFAS contamination. The federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently summarized data about low ice coverage on the Great Lakes.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
More solar is on the way; in Michigan, increases in solar power generation will be driven in part by new state laws as recommended in a MI Healthy Climate Plan; and a recently released Michigan State of the Great Lakes 2023 Report says the latest management plan for Lake Huron identifies more than 50 actions to help protect and restore the lake.For more information, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Saginaw Valley State University will construct an environmental research station near Lake Huron, more than $20 million will be granted for renewable energy and electrification projects in Michigan, and it’s not too soon for college students to make summer plans.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Local municipalities and private landowners are being sought as part of a $4 million initiative to restore wetlands. The nonprofit Alliance for Water Efficiency in Chicago will research conservation best management practices for the state of Michigan. For the 124th year, the National Audubon Society is organizing the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
An environmental group called the Alliance for the Great Lakes is urging people to comment on a federal proposal for “new lakers.” Artificial intelligence will be checking out curbside recycling containers in Bay City.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Michigan will require utility providers to be carbon-free by 2040, landscape enhancement and restoration efforts are underway at area nature reserves, and learn about building bat houses.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
The official start of winter is less than a month away, a climate change report details harmful impacts on regions across the United States, and wild turkeys are thriving again in Michigan thanks to conservation efforts.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
There’s a lot of hubbub about a Clean Energy Future Plan passed last week by the Michigan Legislature. If you want to learn more about chemical contaminants in Lake Huron, check out an upcoming event. There’s a notice out about the upcoming construction of a new Lafayette Street Bridge over the Saginaw River in Bay City.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Energy Waste Reduction programs in Michigan saved electricity and natural gas in 2022. Starting this month, you won’t be able to reserve camping and cabins as early in Michigan state parks. The invasive emerald ash borer is jeopardizing the entire native range of black ash trees in the United States and Canada.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Michigan leads the Midwest in clean energy workers, well water testing kits sold out, and Consumers Energy is getting federal money to strengthen Michigan's electric grid.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Terrifying facts about climate change, how to make your events green, and how pollution cleanup increases property values.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Consumers Energy says it’s building an 85-megawatt solar array at two former coal-fired power units that closed earlier this year along Saginaw Bay. The Resilient Coastal Projects Initiative is expanding to the Lake Huron shoreline. Middle and high school educators also are encouraged to apply for grants for Teaching Great Lakes Literacy.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
One of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants was found in Michigan waters for the first time. The state is seeking recommendations for 2024 water monitoring locations. And a report by the National Wildlife Federation says to "leave the leaves."For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
The state has an updated plan for dealing with climate change and its impacts on stormwater and wastewater infrastructure. Fall is here and the state’s Pure Michigan program is issuing weekly fall color reports. And speaking of leaves, fall is a perfect time for planting trees.Find more at: https://mrgreatlakes.com/
What’s the risk of highly dangerous heat in your city? Consumers Energy is holding a series of public meetings to discuss the future of its hydroelectric dams on the Au Sable River. And the state announced a new program to test the safety of well water.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Artificial intelligence can improve monitoring for PFAS chemicals in Michigan drinking water. The state recently announced $41.5 million in clean water grants to help communities upgrade water infrastructure to ensure healthy drinking water.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
The U.S. Air Force says it will take immediate action to clean up PFAS chemical contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. There are two more invasive species to watch out for in Michigan.
For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A new report says the Great Lakes region has significant untapped potential for offshore wind projects, the Alliance for the Great Lakes is pushing for federal legislation to keep industrial plastic pellets out of the Great Lakes.
Harmful algal blooms cause about $82 million annually in economic losses in fishing and tourism in the Great Lakes region. Survey work is being done in Bay County’s Hampton Township to control for non-native phragmites, an invasive reed. What does the Farmer’s Almanac say this winter will be like?
For more information, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
More baby sturgeon will be released into the Saginaw Bay watershed during public events August 19. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed bills to expand clean energy in the state. Michigan leads the country in clean energy jobs.
For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Saginaw Township is one of more than 20 communities to receive state grant funding for projects that address flooding, coastline erosion, urban heat and storm water management. Harmful algal blooms in Michigan are the subject of the latest story map produced by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The Little Forks Conservancy in Midland needs volunteer leaders and collectors for a stream sampling event this fall in Gladwin and Clare counties.
DTE says it will end its use of coal in 2032 as part of a settlement agreement. CMU will work on improving flood resilience by connecting students to their watershed. Caseville is getting $2 million for its waste water collection system.
For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com
Public land in a dozen Michigan counties is being offered for sale in online auctions in August and September. Pairing community solar with weatherization can have a large impact on bills and usage. Offshore wind energy in the Great Lakes offers a significant opportunity for clean energy.
The Michigan Legislature approved a new 2023-24 fiscal year budget in late June, the new Michigan budget also includes $4 million to replace the Steelhead survey vessel, and eastern equine encephalitis has been detected in mosquitoes from Bay County.
For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Don’t forget about your pets when it comes to recent air quality alerts triggered by Canadian wildfires. States will have to dramatically step up their efforts to enable a full transition to electric vehicles.
Following smoke from Canadian wildfires last week, a Michigan agency is encouraging folks to sign for EnviroFlash alerts. A foundation is awarding $100,000 for community tree planting grants in Michigan. Eighty-six percent of U.S. adults surveyed say they would welcome the installation of rooftop solar panels in their communities.
For more information, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Drifting smoke from wildfires in Canada contributed to air quality health alerts in Michigan, parts of the Great Lakes have made the list of "Top 10 Troubled Lakes to Watch This Toxic Algae Season," and May 20 marked one year since a powerful tornado struck Gaylord.
For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
If you see double red warning flags at a beach, do not go in the water. A newly funded program in Northeast Michigan will target marine debris. And some Great Lakes leaders have a vision that includes offshore wind turbines.For more information, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Michigan’s recycling rate has reached an all-time high, the most popular state for camping this summer is Michigan, and a new satellite promises a “treasure trove of data” on the Great Lakes.Learn more at https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A project gathering data on exposure to lead, mercury, and PFAS; a state representative urges the state to allow county road commissions to dispose of roadkill; and the top invasive species in Michigan.For more information, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
There are now more than 400 threatened and endangered species in Michigan. A new 334-acre park is open in southwest Saginaw at the confluence of the Saginaw River. The electrification of transportation in Michigan is expanding from the roads to the water.For more, visit: https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Crews will combat invasive sea lampreys in the Saginaw River watershed next month, the Alliance for the Great Lakes is holding its Adopt-a-Beach spring kickoff on April 21-23, and you can help protect lake sturgeon during spawning season.
April is Earth Month and April 22 is Earth Day, SVSU will host climate control advocates Bill McKibben and Angela Ardis on Tuesday, and Lake Huron Fisheries Workshops are planned this month.
The Saginaw Bay Monitoring Consortium is putting together a coordinated monitoring framework for the watershed, the state’s environmental agency is encouraging people to “think green” when it comes to spring cleaning, and most ice on the Great Lakes remains confined to shallow bays and channels.For more information, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Little Forks Conservancy is working on a new nature preserve, a new survey will gauge what people in the Midwest know about climate change, and forecaster predict a wetter spring across the Great Lakes and Northeast.For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A Lakewide Action and Management Plan for Lake Huron is out. Did you lose power during recent winter storms? The Michigan Public Service Commission wants to hear about it. A reminder that comments are being accepted through March 27 on a draft supplemental restoration plan for the Tittabawassee River, Saginaw River, and Saginaw Bay.Learn more at https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A draft supplemental restoration plan for the Tittabawassee River, Saginaw River, and Saginaw Bay is open for public review and comment through March 27. Close to 300,000 scrap tires were cleaned up last year in Michigan. Great Lakes Day was this week in Washington, D.C.Learn more at https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Residents of the Great Lakes state don’t eat the recommended amount of fish and a binational coalition of mayors is praising proposed spending by Michigan to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes.For more information, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
A federal contractor has completed a permanent sea lamprey trap on the East Branch Au Gres River in Iosco County, a recommended state budget from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer includes funding for water infrastructure and clean energy, and a third phase of grants are available for Michigan communities to improve residential recycling.For more information, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Bay City State Park celebrates its 100th anniversary, Great Lakes literacy, and fast-charging electric vehicle stations come to Bay City.More information at https://mrgreatlakes.com/
Three Lake Huron coast properties are now permanently protected, the EPA is cracking down on soot, and Consumers Energy rates are rising, but so are solar and electric vehicle programs.
Switching from a gas vehicle to an electric one would benefit 9 out of 10 American households. Michigan has released new fish consumption guidelines for rainbow smelt and carp from seven lakes around the state.
How ready is Bay County for climate change, an energy storage manufacturer is raising $50 million to scale up production in Clare County, and a draft plan for Michigan state parks needs feedback.
The Lake Huron Coastal Preserve is now open near Tawas City, there are increased walleye fishing opportunities in Saginaw Bay, and find out where Michigan ranks in lightning events in the U.S.
Federal regulators may finalize new rules to prepare the electric grid for climate change in the coming year and upcoming webinars let you know what organizations are doing to combat invasive species.
Bay City is the latest community to take the Lake Huron Forever pledge. Dow and Waste Management are piloted a program to recycle plastic film. A new online portal for the Michigan Green Schools program is live.
A conservation group is among those pushing for federal funding to fight algal blooms in Saginaw Bay. The state has won an award for a project to bring renewable energy to Michigan properties. Get ready for a wet winter, according to the latest outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Bay, Gladwin, and Midland are among the counties in a state public land review. You can save on heating costs this winter through a state weatherization program. A federal research lab is sharing highlights from monitoring the Great Lakes this year.
Almost half of all U.S. households are now using LED bulbs. Michigan has committed to reducing energy use in state buildings. Thumb Brewery is among those participating in OktoberForest.
Michigan's environmental agency is seeking input on where to focus its water monitoring efforts. A Michigan environmental group says the state needs to do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fall color is on display this week in northern Michigan.
State parks throughout Michigan are sprucing up with federal funding. Nearly 200 schools are recognized by the Michigan Green Schools Program. Consumers Energy is holding community meetings on 13 dams in the state.
A regional group says the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law this week by President Biden is a historic win for Great Lakes restoration, clean drinking water, and public health. The Nature Conservancy is accepting entries throughout August for a global photo contest. Be on the lookout this month for the invasive Asian longhorned beetle.
The Nature Conservancy says results of a “Soil Your Undies” campaign point to the benefits of healthy soil practices. State fish production and research also received a “fin up” in the new state budget.
Migrating monarch butterflies have been listed as endangered. Michigan's environmental agency has been given a boost in funding. The Biden administration launched a website highlighting the health risks of extreme heat.
Bay City recently received $80,000 from the Michigan Coastal Management Program to study and engineer resilient launching access for boats and paddlecraft. A Michigan island is one of a dozen sites selected for a national Department of Energy project. And the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association has selected Midland-based Little Forks Conservancy as the recipient of this year’s Clean Waterways Award.
A sea lamprey control project in Lake Huron tributaries, a reminder on proper recycling practices, and using infrastructure dollars to address environmental justice.
Spiking electricity bills and blackouts could be in store this summer, an international One Water Gathering conference is set for this month in Alpena, and Beach Walks bring scientists into communities to discuss coastal hazards and Great Lakes water levels.
A group of Consumers Energy customers are celebrating an agreement on the utility’s 15-year power plan as a transition from dirty coal to renewable energy.
A six-month forecast predicts Great Lakes water levels will continue their seasonal rise over the next month.
May is American Wetlands Month. Michigan has more than 275,000 acres of Great Lakes coastal wetlands.
Michigan bird owners need to act now to help reduce the spread of HPAI: highly pathogenic avian influenza.
With the current avian influenza outbreak, you may want to remove your bird feeders altogether. This will help keep the disease from spreading, and also keep wild turkeys at bay.
State of the Bay 2022, "the premier conference for Saginaw Bay," is coming up on Sept. 22 at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center in Bay City.
Teachers looking for simple ways to introduce youth to Great Lakes topics and hands-on learning opportunities can check out free education resources from the Center for Great Lakes Literacy. The state Department of Natural Resources stocks more than 20 million fish annually, or more than 350 tons.
Huron Pines launches their Protect Wild Places program, upcoming Earth Day events, and the DNR asks the public to report tagged walleye.
Michigan water quality and parks are getting a boost under a new "Building Michigan Together" plan. State officials will be talking fish in Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron at an online event Thursday. Tracking polluters in your community with ECHO Notify.
Boaters are encouraged to recycle the shrink wrap used to protect their vessels during the winter. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is highlighting cleanup projects under the federal Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Organizers say a new Saginaw Valley program has the potential to create a market for certified “sustainably-raised” wheat.
The gypsy moth is now the spongy moth. The Michigan Clean Water Corps is accepting enrollments for the 2022 Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program season. The State of the Great Lakes is... busy, officials say.
Northern Michigan high school students are getting national recognition for a green infrastructure project. The latest online story map from Michigan EGLE looks at the state's monitoring program for rivers and streams. The Arenac Conservation District will hold a fruit tree care workshop March 12.
Corn-based ethanol may be worse for the climate than gasoline. New research launched to protect the Great Lakes includes work by Central Michigan University and a project in Saginaw Bay. Ice shanties in the northern Lower Peninsula must be removed by midnight, Tuesday, March 15.
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary hosts its 10th annual film festival, the 2022 Spring Invasive Species Summit is planned for Saturday, March 19, and some Saginaw Valley farmers were honored as Soil Health Heroes by The Nature Conservancy.
A contaminated Bay City site will be redeveloped with help from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. An update on the state’s response to PFAS contamination in Oscoda is planned for March 2. Among those weighing on a MI Healthy Climate Plan is an organization called Greenlink.
Electric rates are going up for Consumers Energy customers, calling all college students interested in environmental protection, and the Great Lakes Protection Fund has a call for projects out now.
The National Audubon Society is conducting its Christmas Bird Count, a long-term study published this year found the deep waters of the Great lakes are warming.
A new research project examines fish movement in Saginaw Bay, $1.7 million have been approved for a Lake Huron coastal preserve, and a grant has been recommended for a Kawkawlin River access project.
U.S. and Canadian agencies are hosting a webinar on chemical contamination in Lake Huron. A Renew Michigan project viewer provides an easy way to view cleanup and redevelopment projects in Michigan. Environmental groups are applauding recent passage of a House bill with Great Lakes water infrastructure and restoration.
CMU joins an elite list of sites dedicated to sustainable development. The week leading up to Halloween is Bat Week.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is taking public comment on an exterior firewood quarantine. An MSU study examines the potential impact of community solar. The U.S. Coast Guard has selected Lake Superior Statue University as the hub for Great Lakes Expertise.
The DNR says the easiest way to deal with fall leaves is to leave them alone. The Not MI webinar series teaches about invasive species. A new guide is available to help communities plan for solar energy systems.
Michigan is collaborating with other Midwestern states on an electrical vehicle charging network. A Great Lakes solar home tour will be online again this year. Up to $3 million is available for environmental education grants from the EPA.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has helped finalize a recovery plan for an endangered rattlesnake. The EPA has awarded $6 million to evaluate pollutants in sewage sludge.
The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy is hosting workshops on nature photography, Huron Pines is taking applications for AmeriCorps positions, and Michigan Trails Week starts Sept. 19.
The city of Bay City is warning residents not to flush "flushable" wipes down the toilet. Environmental groups are urging energy efficiency provisions in an update of the state's Energy Conservation Code.
The Michigan Municipal League is the latest organization to join a Michigan community solar alliance. Officials have upgraded an E. coli Pollution and Solution Mapper.
The DNR is giving $2.1 million to fish habitat conservation projects across the state. The state is offering a second round of funding for electric commercial and mass transit vehicles.
A project to reduce runoff to the Saginaw Bay is among those funded by a series of state grants. The DNR is asking the public to report muskee caught to an online survey. Wildlife crossings, such as green bridges, reduce wildlife collisions with vehicles.
A University of Michigan study looked into the ability of volunteers to identify wildlife. A conservation organization aims to combat invasive species in the region. The Nature Conservancy is looking to nominate farmers for the Soil Awards.
The Shiawassee River system is being treated to control sea lamprey. The Fresh from the Field podcast features tips to prevent and reduce the threat of mosquitoes. The Michigan Community Solar Alliance aims to expand access to solar energy.
EGLE has released its 2020 State of the Great Lakes report. The Consumers Energy Foundation is donating a half million dollars to four environmental projects in Michigan. A new study says nearly 22 million pounds of plastic debris enters the Great Lakes every year.
Central Michigan University has received a $10 million environmental grant. DTE recently announced the development of three new wind parks. The state is hosting a listening session to help shape a healthy climate plan.
Spring fisheries workshops are being held later this month for Lake Huron. EGLE has gathered all of its online maps and data in one location. Osprey are returning to the Great Lakes region.
Delta College is serving as a host institution for Climate Action Pursuit. If you see a baby wild animal this spring, observe from a distance. Ducks Unlimited and partners in the area have restored over 1,000 acres of wetland and grassland habitat in Michigan in 2020.
A new report from Environment America says Michigan could provide 3/4 of its energy with offshore wind power. Great Lakes agencies are asking the public for help evaluating cisco rehabilitation efforts. The state of Michigan is modernizing an environmental health and drinking water information system.
More than 32,000 acres of land have come under the protection of Michigan land conservancies since 2017. EGLE is highlighting water and energy conservation as part of Fix a Leak Week. The state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is encouraging people to use approved pesticides in their gardening this spring.
There may be invasive zebra mussels in your aquarium. There is a new Facebook page for state parks, trails, and waterways. Cloverly is looking to help people neutralize their carbon impact.
Michigan Sea Grant is calling attention to the recent change in Great Lakes ice coverage in a webinar. Proper disposal of lithium ion batteries. Public comments on a 150-acre property purchased by Huron Pines.
A project is underway to permanently protect a mile of Lake Huron coastline. Do you know your owl viewing etiquette? The Audubon Society is tracking how local birds are responding to climate change.
Great Lakes advocates say President Biden's inauguration provides several opportunities. The state is seeking input on a strategy for public lands. The Nature Conservancy's 2020 Conservation Excellence Agribusiness award recipient has ties the Saginaw region.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act was signed into law this week. Consumer's Energy will issue bonds to help pay for the retirement of two coal power plants. More Michigan communities offered Christmas tree recycling programs this year.
Delta College is in the top 10 for sustainability. You can recycle old Christmas lights in Bay City. America Recycles Week was this week.
The state is looking for people who love the outdoors to be photo ambassadors. Michigan is at number 14 on the list of best states for waste management. The Michigan Water Stewardship program is celebrating its 10th anniversary by unveiling a new website.
Polls say voters support clean energy. Many people are turning to composting instead of raking leaves. NOAA's yearly marine debris art contest is officially open. Residents can submit drinking water concerns online.
About 150 old brine wells in the area are being plugged. EGLE is taking public comments about air quality. A survey of Michigan schools focuses on whether HVAC systems can prevent transmission of airborne disease.
The Michigan DNR has released a new interactive trail map. Gov. Whitmer announced a new drinking water and wastewater plan. A new report says more than 1.3 million jobs and $82 billion in wages are directly tied to the Great Lakes.
Homeowners give virtual tours of their solar homes. The state is taking steps to protect pine trees from an invasive beetle. The Michigan Clean Water Core is continuing.
Pure Michigan is promoting places to see fall color in the Saginaw Bay region. The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is urging people to support a ballot proposal to protect Michigan's Natural Resources Trust Fund. The state has resumed sampling algae blooms along Saginaw Bay.
Little Forks Conservancy is working with a chapter of Trout Unlimited to improve and protect fish habitat in the Cedar River. The Michigan Office of the Great Lakes released its annual State of the Great Lakes report. A website will help you identify invasive woody plants.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is asking the public to look for and report any signs of the invasive Asian longhorned beetle. A scrap tire drive is planned for Saturday, Aug. 8, at Fraser Township Hall. Huron Pines is encouraging people to participate in state forest planning.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is warning residents not to open or plant unsolicited seeds from China. An electronics recycling event is set for Aug. 5-8 in Bay City. Community Action grants are available for sustainability projects in the Saginaw Bay region.
The Adopt a Beach program is back. Little Forks Conservancy is holding a bio blitz. Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are expected to reach their highest recorded levels this month.
The Tick App gives users tips on avoiding ticks and lets them share their tick exposure. Water quality in the Saginaw River watershed should get a boost from a $1 million grant. The spotted lanternfly could be the next invasive species to threaten Michigan agriculture and natural resources.
Freshwater researchers gathered online this week for the Conference on Great Lakes Research. EGLE is seeking members of the public to serve as clean water ambassadors. If you missed Lake Huron fishery workshops earlier this year, recordings are available online.
EGLE has a map to provide information state-regulated dams and their condition. It's almost time to resume returning bottles and cans.
A historic lighthouse in northern Michigan will be preserved. There’s a new mapping tool for outdoor recreation. Gypsy moth caterpillars hatched earlier this month and were ready to start eating the leaves off of local trees.
Bay County is gathering damage assessment information on flooding from the May 18 storm. An invasive crayfish that can reproduce by cloning is now a prohibited species in Michigan. The EPA is encouraging people to recycle materials from their households and properly dispose of PPE.
The Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy is holding a 24-hour birding derby on June 4 and a virtual Conservation on Tap on May 21. The Gladwin Conservation District will be cleaning up the Cedar River.
Researchers at SVSU are looking at wastewater to study the spread of the coronavirus. A scenic automobile route has opened early this year at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
Sporting, health, and conservation groups have voiced strong concerns on the weakening of a mercury and air toxics rule. The Little Forks Conservancy in Midland is encouraging people to remove garlic mustard from their yards. DTE Energy has turned on its largest wind park, the first of four coming online in 2020.
We celebrate Arbor Day today, Michigan is holding a high water virtual town hall, and a "bioblitz" to catalog species is underway.
The Michigan DNR is answering questions on fishing. The Alliance for the Great Lakes is hosting a "HOMES Schooling" program. The EPA is using $20 million to further address problems affecting the Great Lakes.
State budget cuts include funding to deal with invasive Asian carp. Environmental groups say a new permit for "factory farms" is approved, but flawed. Most state parks and trails remain open during the coronavirus pandemic.