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Echo

Photo Friday: The edge of space

By Great Lakes Echo | September 13, 2013

Michigan State University Media Sandbox Instructor Troy Hale, with the help of his students, launched a weather balloon containing five HD cameras and a GPS unit into “space” this summer. The balloon launch recorded video at approximately 100,000 ft., or the “edge of space.” It was the second launch. An earlier attempt ended in Lake Erie and the equipment could not be recovered. Hale said he is planning more experiments, including a launch from Spartan stadium.

Echo

Thursday: Great Lakes Week 2013

By Great Lakes Echo | September 9, 2013

Detroit Public TV will live broadcast the Great Lakes Week summit in Milwaukee, Wisc., September 9-12, 2013. During Great Lakes Week there will be a series of conferences to discuss Great Lakes issues, hosted by the International Joint Commission, the EPA, the U.S. Areas of Concern Program, the Great Lakes Commission, The Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition (representing 120 organizations) and Environment Canada, as well as the Council of Great Lakes Industries, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and the newly organized Council of the Great Lakes Region. Issues discussed include how to spend federal money for the lakes, invasive species, climate change, algae blooms and which cities should be allowed to tap into Great Lakes water. Tune in on Echo Monday – Thursday for new broadcasts.

Echo

Vigilant residents take on lake invaders with hot water

By Great Lakes Echo | August 16, 2013

The Glen Lake Association operates the longest running boat washing program in Michigan. The effort pays off by keeping Big and Little Glen lakes nearly free of invasive species and the free service takes less than five minutes to complete.

Echo

Wild rice mounts a comeback for culture and ecology

By Great Lakes Echo | August 8, 2013

Once common in Michigan’s rivers and lakes, sizable beds of wild rice have dwindled to less than a dozen, the result of invasive species, higher water levels from dams and lakefront property owners seeking to clear the way for water recreation.

Nearshore

Survey reveals why lawn trumps native shoreline, and what to do about it

By Great Lakes Echo | August 6, 2013

Property owners believe their waterfronts are more natural than they really are, according to a recent University of Wisconsin survey.

Echo

Kids’ Corner: Where do those “disgusting” beans come from?

By Great Lakes Echo | July 31, 2013

It won’t be long before kids head back to school – back to friends, homework and yes, lunch in the cafeteria. Last year Echo reporters visited Lewton Elementary School to find out what kids know about where their lunch comes from.

Echo

Green disposal of a green menace

By Great Lakes Echo | July 30, 2013

Truckloads of algae plucked from Great Lakes beaches are sent to landfills. Beach managers want a green alternative. Composting might fit the bill, but it’s trickier than you might think.

Echo

Where’s the Concern? Week Sixteen

By Great Lakes Echo | July 25, 2013

Each week, Great Lakes Echo features a photo story about a different Area of Concern designated by the U.S. or Canadian governments in the Great Lakes basin. Guess where the area is located, based on the description of the site.

Echo

Where’s the Concern? Week Fifteen

By Great Lakes Echo | July 18, 2013

Wildlife

The challenges of sturgeon stewardship

By Great Lakes Echo | July 16, 2013

Rearing sturgeon for stocking has proven to be difficult, uncertain and expensive, but it may be the only practical way to rebuild sturgeon populations in the Great Lakes.