Great Lakes Echo (http://greatlakesecho.org/2011/06/)
Waterfront property owners are increasingly recognized as having unique opportunities to protect and enhance shorelines.
Now a collaboration of conservation agencies and professionals called the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership is giving them help. The group recently released a handbook titled, “Natural Shoreline Landscapes on Michigan’s Inland Lakes: Guidebook for Property Owners.”
A popular recreational lake in western Ohio has nearly died, economically and environmentally, because of algae thriving on runoff from farm fields, officials say.
Grand Lake St. Marys is now undergoing a clean up to get rid of toxic algae mostly attributed to manure from nearby fields flowing into the lake during the wet spring.
As a part of the $3.4 million operation, the lake will be treated with nearly 2.6 million gallons of the chemical compound alum.
Harry Ryan has a team of mowers that cut urban lots for free.
He gives away produce from a community garden.
Next up: A wind-fueled dream of urban revitalization.
Ohio legislators just signed off on what critics call the weakest water protections in the Great Lakes region.
The Great Lakes region could save a lot of money by following the “if you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em” motto of a website called Invasivore.org. A handful of biologists, ecologists and doctoral students update the site with news on pesky invaders and recipes, like this Ma-po Garlic Mustard and Tofu dish. Garlic Mustard is an aggravating weed that covers forest floors and dominates root systems throughout the Great Lakes. But when paired with broccoli, tofu and a spicy sauce, it apparently is something to be desired. The eating of invasive species is “reasonable revenge” for the harm these animals, fish and plants inflict on natural environments, according to Invasivore.org.
Legislation has passed and enforcement tightened. Yet leaking septic tanks continue to threaten human and environmental health.
The lack of funds to fix them remain a hurdle.
When Rob Gorski bought a Lake Superior island on Craigslist he wanted to combine conservation with artistic creativity.
Some business groups have taken a disingenuous path on the Great Lakes environment.
But we need honest participation from these key stakeholders who otherwise put their credibility at risk.
Great Lakes states have blown deadlines two and a half years after negotiating an historic water protection agreement, according to a Natural Resources Defense Council report.