Land
‘Earth’s kidneys’: from farmland to wetland
|
Early European settlers deemed Michigan’s wetlands a “dangerous wasteland.”
Little did they know the state’s wetlands were keeping their new home healthy.
Wildlife
Disease-carrying mosquitoes moving north
|
As if climate change-related rising lake levels, extreme weather and threats to biodiversity weren’t enough to worry about, now we can also worry about the public health threat of invading mosquitoes.
North America has about 250 species of mosquitoes, of which about 70 are found in Michigan.
Art
Author preserves Great Lakes shipwrecks by writing novels about them
|
Plummeting temperatures, blinding snow and ferocious winds ripped through the air as three freighters struggled on Lake Michigan’s frigid surface.
Unsuspecting and dangerously underprepared passengers braced for the worst, baffled at the stark contrast from the serene weather of the morning.
Nearshore
The tale of a haunted lighthouse
|
The smell of cigar smoke lingers as visitors walk through the dark living quarters of Gulliver’s Seul Choix Point Lighthouse.
“There are so many public ghost towns,” Tedsen said. “But to me, paranormal is very important — it begs the question ‘is there life after death?’”
Wildlife
Curbing feral cat populations in Michigan
|
Feral cats have colonies across the state, and their inbreeding, overpopulation and constant pregnancies have caused these strays to multiply.
Some feral cats are born with defects due to inbreeding. Misshapen heads, extra toes or crossed eyes could be results of incest among them.
Waste
States look at ways to deter waste from manufactured products
|
Some state legislatures nationally are searching for ways to impose accountability for waste onto their manufacturing operations. Some environmental groups and lawmakers say Michigan should follow their lead.
Water
Blame the geese – E. coli closes beaches
|
As lakes and rivers cool with the arrival of fall, avid swimmers may be at risk for illnesses due to contact with contaminated water.
That’s because of a health threat from Escherichia coli – familiarly known as E. coli.
Wildlife
Bird songs may ease the blues
|
The Great Lakes region’s more than 300 bird species may provide valuable mental health benefits.
A recent study from Carleton University in Ontario shows there are fewer mental health-related hospitalizations in Michigan areas with high bird diversity.
Wildlife
Michigan officials urge public to “squish” invasive bug
|
Michigan experts are encouraging residents to squash the invasive spotted lanternfly as the destructive insect rapidly spreads throughout the Great Lakes region.
In simpler terms: See it, squish it, report it.
Echo
Michigan bald eagles soar back from near-extinction
|
It’s a success story for the country’s national bird, which was nearly wiped off the map by the 1960s after generations of human interference.