Aug 4 2010 | Great Lakes Echo | 3 Comments

An 8-minute version of the story of Jackie and Dora King and their Youth Karate-Ka: Harvesting Earth Farm, where kids learn to grow food and practice martial arts. The project turned a lot covered in garbage to productive urban farm.

Aug 3 2010 | Jeff Gillies | 4 Comments

Michigan lawmakers approved a package of “complete streets” laws Wednesday that requires the state and local governments to plan for the safety and convenience of bike and foot traffic when building roads.

Aug 2 2010 | Alice Rossignol | No Comment
This map owned by the American Geographical Society Library uses a U.S. map and the human body to depict the Great Lakes transportation system. Photo: American Geographical Society Library

A map made in Superior, Wisconsin in 1889 may be one of the first Great Lakes mashups.

The creator, A.F. McKay, combined a U.S. map with a drawing of a human body in an attempt to promote Superior’s potential as a transportation hub.

Jul 30 2010 | David Poulson | No Comment

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley prompts an interesting question:

Is chemical or biological pollution the greater threat to Lake Michigan?

The mayor used the Kalamazoo River oil spill to attempt to turn the table on critics urging Chicago to close the route for invasive Asian carp.

Jul 28 2010 | Jeff Gillies | No Comment
Climate change is shifting walleye reproduction schedule, which could have the larval fish hatching when there's nothing to eat. Photo: Roger Klindt

Long-term warming of the Great Lakes climate is melting the ice from Minnesota lakes earlier in the year.

Jul 28 2010 | Great Lakes Echo | One Comment
July 28: Mr. Rogers' Garden

This week: Each summer, the Mr. Rogers Garden program trains dozens of at-risk youth to grow, harvest and sell vegetables at Flint’s Farmer’s market.

Jul 26 2010 | Alice Rossignol | No Comment

The U.S. Geological Survey combined maps of geologic features (like rock types) and natural landscape features (like mountains) to make this tapestry map.

Jul 23 2010 | Jeff Gillies | One Comment
Click to enlarge. Photo: Charles Kerfoot/Michigan Tech

The Lake Michigan “doughnut” — a huge ring-shaped bloom of phytoplankton that circles the late-winter waters of the Lake’s southern basin — is disappearing.

Jul 22 2010 | Alice Rossignol | No Comment
John Niewoonder was named wildlife biologist of the year by the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Photo provided by John Niewoonder.

John Niewoonder was named wildlife biologist of the year by the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. He’s a Michigan native and key author of the state’s new deer management plan.

Jul 21 2010 | Great Lakes Echo | No Comment
July 21: Youth Farm Stand

This week: Brian Johns of The Youth Farm Stand program at Holmes Foundation Academy in Flint, teaches students to grow vegetables using traditional farming methods, as well as cutting-edge technologies such as hydroponics and aguaponics.