Echo

Carp report gains top award for Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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Those troublesome Asian carp continue to attract national attention — this time starring in an award-winning series of stories in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reporter Dan Egan recently won the top award given by the American Association for the Advancement of Science in the large newspaper category for science reporting. He was recognized for Deep Trouble, a series looking at the biological, public policy and engineering challenges that the carp pose for the Great Lakes. “The history of engineering, public works, and invasive species battles is woven into the story elegantly,” said Laura Helmuth, science editor for Slate. “It’s a fascinating read, full of drama and passion.”

Echo

Mr. Great Lakes: The oldest living red-tailed hawk?

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Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) reports from Bay City, Michigan’s Delta College Q-90.1 FM.  
Nov. 8, 2013, The Environment Report, Mr. Great Lakes, Jeff Kart, Q-90.1 FM Delta College NPR by jeffkart

This week, Kart discusses a red-tailed hawk that has been coming to Saginaw County’s Shiawassee National Refuge for the last 27 years. Text at Mr. Great Lakes

Waste

Green Gridirons: Rutgers University

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A football stadium may have green grass but does it have green habits? Each week, Great Lakes Echo highlights a Big Ten football stadium’s attempts to do the most to impact the environment the least. All schools have information on the stadium’s diversion rate – the amount of waste recycled instead of put in a landfill. Stadium: High Point Solutions Stadium

School: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey*

Built: 1994

Capacity: 52,454

2012 diversion rate: 52.4 percent

Scouting Report: On Oct. 27, 2012, Rutgers achieved a 94.6 percent diversion rate during a game against Kent State University, the fourth highest rate recorded nationwide.

Water

Michigan economic developers eye Blue Economy

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When people think of Michigan’s economy, they typically point to the State’s automobile industry or its agricultural sector. Often overlooked is one of Michigan’s greatest natural assets: water. A new report commissioned by the governor’s office focuses on accelerating Michigan’s water based or ‘Blue economy.’ The paper’s author, John Austin, is the Director of the Michigan Economic Center at Prima Civitas Foundation. Austin says that a ‘Blue Economy’ is similar to a ‘Green Economy.’ Michigan economic developers eye ‘Blue Economy’ by Great Lakes Echo

Echo

Mr. Great Lakes: Microbeads, the Great Lakes Bowl and the Clean Water Act

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Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) reports from Bay City, Michigan’s Delta College Q-90.1 FM. Nov. 1, 2013 – The Environment Report – Mr. Great Lakes – Jeff Kart by jeffkart

This week, Kart discusses a new app to help prevent microbeads in the Great Lakes, registration for the Great Lakes Bowl, and a comment on the Clean Water Act. Text at Mr. Great Lakes

Echo

Great Lakes Commission launches restoration database

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You can now track progress on restoring the Great Lakes at a new database provided by the Great Lakes Commission. It focuses on conservation plans implemented by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative over the past three years, and includes several projects in each of the eight Great Lakes states. The initiative, which is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency, has received more than $220 million since 2010 for wildlife restoration. It has led to hundreds of different environmental endeavors ranging from turtle protection research in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to a dam removal in eastern New York. The database contains fact sheets on all work from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Echo

Mr. Great Lakes: Recreation, restoration and education

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Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) reports from Bay City, Michigan’s Delta College Q-90.1 FM.  

Oct. 25, 2013 – The Environment Report – With Mr. Great Lakes, Jeff Kart by jeffkart

 

This week, Kart discusses a Bay County recreation survey, how your tax dollars are being used for Great Lakes restoration, and new ways for students to learn about the Great Lakes. Text at Mr. Great Lakes

Waste

Green Gridirons: University of Wisconsin

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A football stadium may have green grass but does it have green habits? Each week, Great Lakes Echo highlights a Big Ten football stadium’s attempts to do the most to impact the environment the least. All schools have information on the stadium’s diversion rate – the amount of waste recycled instead of put in a landfill. Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium

School: University of Wisconsin

Built: 1917

Capacity: 80,321

2012 diversion rate: 33 percent

Scouting report: Each game day, community and student volunteers create awareness about the importance of conservation efforts at the university like recycling and compost bins, said Meredith Keller, student programs coordinator at the university’s office of sustainability. The stadium saw a significant increase in diversion rate from 3 percent at the start of the season to 33 percent during the last game, said Keller.

Echo

More Michigan farmers markets welcoming food benefits

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Food stamp use at farmers markets is expanding — and soon it may be easier for markets to accept food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently requested suggestions to improve service and eligibility requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP or food benefits. And the East Lansing-based Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) submitted comments calling for improvements in the way farmers markets seek SNAP eligibility. Among the suggestions: Simplify the paperwork for markets to apply for SNAP eligibility and provide more assistance with associated costs. “We have a lot of opportunities for growth here,” said Amanda Shreve, manager of programs and partnerships at MIFMA.