Wildlife

Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary sees Sandhill Cranes in record numbers

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Sandhill cranes have been spotted in record numbers this year at the Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Audubon Sanctuary near Chelsea, Mich. The Michigan Audubon Society reported 8,177 cranes gathered in the sanctuary Monday, November 19, the most birds ever seen there since the 1900s. Once on the verge of extinction, sandhill crane populations have been on the rise across the United States for the past decade, according to Audubon Society spokesperson Mallory King. “They were almost extinct at the beginning of the 1900s, their feathers were in high demand and they were being overhunted,” King said, “That started to turn around as environmental legislation was passed starting in the 1930s and 40s, and now they’ve been steadily recovering.”

The birds return to their birthplace each year to find a mate. “We’re seeing so many birds here because the sanctuary has the right habitat for them and because enough of the cranes born here last year survived to return,” King said.

Echo

Engaging readers, journalists and mudpuppies

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Almost three-and-a-half years ago Echo reported the discovery of a stable population of mudpuppies in Ontario’s Sydenham River. Mudpuppies are one of the more bizarre-looking creatures that inhabit the Great Lakes region. Their fans are as diverse as adult scientists and young kids. And Echo journalists. Here’s why: When people come across these giant salamanders they inevitably Google around to find something out about them.

Echo

Great Lakes states have some of the most coal plants bad for minority health

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Illinois has the most coal plants in the nation that disproportionately threaten the health of poor people and minority communities, according to a recent report by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The state had nine plants that received a failing grade from the organization. Indiana and Michigan had the second most plants, with five each, that failed the organization’s test. “Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio – are home to 32 percent of the failing coal-fired power plants in the U.S.,” said the report. “In addition, eight of the 12 worst offending coal plants are located in communities in these states.”

People living near coal plants are more likely to be minorities and poor, so they are more often exposed to pollutants that damage their health, said the Daily Climate, a news service run by the non-profit Environmental Health Sciences.

Echo

Wisconsin gets ready for hunting season with social media

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is using social platforms “to help the public prepare for the hunt, share traditions, ask experts questions and share stories of Deer Season 2012,” according to an agency news release. This week the department is holding daily online chats about deer hunting. The discussions are an extension of the agency’s “Ask the Experts” series. The biweekly online chat sessions offer Wisconsin residents a chance to speak with experts on topics as diverse as fall fishing and frac sand. This week’s topics include hunting safety and hunting locations.

Land

New website posts food safety inspection reports

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The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has a lunched an online system that enables consumers to easily access inspection results from more than 19,000 groceries and other retail food establishments. MiSafe gives consumers access to inspection results for grocery and convenience stores, including violations since September 2011.

Water

Lake Erie Islands inspire music through natural beauty

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An island chain in the waters of Lake Erie between Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario finds itself at the center of the latest in a series of water-inspired musical compositions from Ohio-based GC Creative Studio. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3RE7jjlxokg#! The Lake Erie Islands have been popular Great Lakes tourist destinations for many years, featuring restaurants, shopping, entertainment venues, vineyards, and a variety of other attractions. This summer, however, it was the archipelago’s natural beauty that drew musicians Greg Slawson and his wife Candice Lee, co-founders of GC Creative Studio. “We believe that the Lake Erie Islands are among this region’s greatest natural treasures,” said Slawson.

Echo

Archaeologists shed new light on ancient farming

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To many archaeologists and other experts, Michigan holds a wealth of evidence about the past and remains an important player in providing insights to the past.

For example, new developments in the archaeological world include research on ancient farming practices in Michigan and elsewhere in the region.