Great Lakes Echo - Environmental news of the Great Lakes region

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Wildlife

This broad category encompasses fish. It is further divided on the main menu with tags for mammals, insects, amphibians, birds, mussels, invaders and endangered wildlife.

Wildlife

Ancient fish of the Great Lakes

By admin | August 20, 2013

If you’ve been boating on the Great Lakes this summer, it might it surprise you to know that deep below you lives a rare species of fish that’s been around since the dinosaurs. It can live past 100 years old and can be over six feet long. Most of us know next to nothing about the lake sturgeon, but it is a fascinating creature with a stormy history. Nancy Auer is a professor of biology at Michigan Technological University. She recently co-authored a book with environmentalist Dave Dempsey about the fish.

Wildlife

Researchers tackle bee decline

By admin | July 24, 2013

MSU entomologist Rufus Isaacs talks about declining bee populations, and that Michigan bees that pollinate the state’s blueberry, cherry and apple crops.

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.

Wildlife

Anishinabek say project could restore fish, knowledge, weather cycle

By Great Lakes Echo | June 7, 2013

Its size and age make the endangered lake sturgeon a fascinating species for most people. But for many Native Americans, the fish is also sacred. And it’s survival of greed, oil spills and habitat destruction signals that the sturgeon remains vigilant in protecting the environment.

Wildlife

Volunteers needed to monitor endangered piping plovers

By Celeste Bott | May 9, 2013

If you enjoy birdwatching, you may be able to use your hobby to help protect an endangered Great Lakes shorebird. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is relying on volunteers to monitor the critically endangered piping plover during its nesting season this summer, from May 1st to July 15th. Patrols have already been established in Michigan national forest and state parks, including Sleeping Bear Dunes lakeshore. Most remaining breeding pairs nest in Michigan — with the intensive patrol programs, the number of Great Lakes nesting plovers rose from 17 pairs in 1986 to 59 pairs in 2005, according to the National Park Service. But numbers have dropped in recent years: 25 pairs in 2009, 23 pairs in 2010 and 18 pairs in 2011.

Wildlife

Wolf hunting weighed in Michigan

By | April 10, 2013

Michigan and other Great Lakes states are weighing wolf hunting seasons.

Michigan wolves, numbering less than 1,000, were taken off the Michigan endangered species list in December.

Wildlife

What’s next for debate over wolf hunting?

By admin | April 10, 2013

Wildlife

Sturgeon studies and students

By Matthew Hall | April 2, 2013

Researchers studying the threats to lake sturgeon are using their findings to teach kids about the environment.

Wildlife

Crossbows gain popularity with Michigan deer hunters

By Capital News Service | March 14, 2013

The number of deer hunters in Michigan using crossbows has doubled since 2009, according to a survey by the Department of Natural Resources. While the overall number of hunters in the state have declined, the method of crossbow hunting is growing in popularity.

Wildlife

Lake Erie a test for birds and energy

By | March 12, 2013

Lake Erie businesses are gearing up for The Biggest Week in American Birding, scheduled for May 3-12. What fascinates me is how quickly the issue of birding has gelled and what that could mean for the future of energy production and the environment by getting more people engaged with our natural resources.