Wildlife

Michigan officials seek to regulate carrier pigeons

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by Lacee Shepard

Local officials could restrict ownership of carrier pigeons on a community—by-community basis under a new Michigan proposal. Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood , D-Taylor, introduced a bill that would allow cities and townships to decide their own restrictions on carrier pigeons. The bill began after Hopgood received a constituent complaint about a neighbor owning too many carrier pigeons. “We thought we should give the cities the ability to do what make sense for a given community,” Hopgood said. “Then they can look out for the health and welfare of local residents.”

The proposal wouldn’t allow a local ban on the bird but would allow local governments to impose a limit on ownership if they see fit, Hopgood said.

Wildlife

Minnesota’s second wolf hunt offers lessons for Michigan

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After a year filled with controversy, Michigan is holding it’s first wolf hunt in nearly 40 years.

Although this is Michigan’s first hunt, that’s not the case for other states in the upper Midwest.

Minnesota and Wisconsin are both heading into their second wolf hunt this year.

Wildlife

Mr. Great Lakes: Bats, environmental art and a field guide to Saginaw Bay

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Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) reports from Bay City, Michigan’s Delta College Q-90.1 FM.  
Nov. 15, 2013 – The Environment Report – Delta Q 90.1 FM – Jeff Kart – Mr. Great Lakes by jeffkart

This week, Kart discusses two new bat species, an art contest through NOAA and the new Saginaw Basin Field Guide. Text at Mr. Great Lakes

Wildlife

Battling the Bloom: Lake Erie

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Click here to watch Battling the Bloom: Lake Erie
In 1970, sections of Lake Erie were declared dead due to an excess of toxic algal blooms created by industrial pollution. But a little over a decade later, the lake went through a transformation that saw a return of wildlife and recreation to the area. Over the past five years, the blooms have returned. These blooms are largely caused by fertilizer and farmland waste nearby running off into Lake Erie. The video linked above discusses the past and current threats posed to Lake Erie by these blooms, and what scientists and conservationists are doing to stop them.

Wildlife

Little Things, Big Problems: Spiny water flea

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Last year, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative began producing a series of educational videos about invasive species in the Great Lakes for the National Park Service. New videos are being uploaded this spring, and you can watch the entire “Little Things, Big Problems” series here on Echo. This video discusses the impact spiny water fleas have on the Great Lakes food web.