Echo

Think Earth is the water planet? Think again

By |

 

This infographic produced by the United States Geological Survey makes it easy to visualize why water is not to be squandered. It displays just how much of the Earth’s water is available for use. It’s not as much as you’d think when you look at it in relationship to the size of the Earth. The largest of three spheres represents all the water on Earth, salt and fresh. The second largest represents just freshwater.

Echo

Ontario proposes Great Lake Protection Act

By |

 

Ontario lawmakers are introducing an act to restore and protect the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Protection Act would establish a Great Lakes Guardian Council with members from provincial and local government, the First Nations and the sectors of science and agriculture. A Great Lakes Community Action Fund would provide $1.5 million for community projects designed to help the Great Lakes. It would also allow the provincial minister of the environment to implement problem-solving targets, requirements and initiatives. The action comes at a time when critics say a proposed federal budget bill in the Canadian Parliament guts environmental protections.

Echo

Invader crusader billboard coming soon to regional highways

By |

Billboards in the Great Lakes region will soon feature a Louisiana high school senior’s prize-winning painting of a “silent invader.”

Monika Daniels’ painting of a largemouth bass swimming through zebra mussel infested waters will be used to remind Great Lakes boaters how to prevent the spread of invasive species. Daniels won an art contest held by Wildlife Forever, a Minnesota-based nonprofit conservation group that supports environmental education. This is the first year the group’s K-12 State-Fish Art Contest had a category dedicated to invasive species. Contestants also write an essay explaining what they’ve learned about how invasive species harm fish and their habitats and how that’s represented in their artwork. The group has a free lesson plan for educators called Fish-On!