Echo

Photo Friday: Astronaut photo of Sault Ste Marie in both Ontario and Michigan

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In the above photo, taken on June 29, north is on the left. As described on NASA.gov, the lakes and rivers typically appear blue or blue-green – areas appearing silver in color are likely the result of sediment and sunglint. Sunglint is light reflecting off the water to the International Space Station. Canals and shipping locks in Sault Ste Marie is crucial to the Great Lakes shipping traffic system. See full description here.

Echo

Check out midterm report card on Great Lakes Compact

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Two and half years after  Great Lakes states agreed to cut down on water diversion and excessive withdrawals from the lakes, the National Wildlife Foundation has  reported on how they’re doing.   The highlights:

Michigan and Wisconsin have the most notable success, passing legislation to cover all aspects of the compact and administering the program. New York and Ohio only recently enacted legislation to comply with the requirements of the Great Lakes Compact.  They deferred to advisory boards for their recommendations. Illinois and Minnesota contend that their statutes and programs are sufficient to control water diversion and withdrawal. They adopted the compact without creating further requirements. Indiana and Pennsylvania created skeletal programs and allowed environmental agencies to fill in the flesh.  They have no detailed programs or rules.

Wildlife
The 2011 winning Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp. Image: Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Spot. Snap. Stamp.

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If you live in Ohio and see a salamander scattering past, don’t scream and swat it. Shoot it, instead. With a camera, that is. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Third Annual Wildlife Legacy Stamp photo contest is underway. Focusing on a different animal each year, this contest hopes to promote the diversity of Ohio’s wildlife.

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Great Lakes on a beer coaster

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Imagine ordering a beer at a bar, looking at the coaster your glass was just put on and seeing your artwork – photographic or otherwise. That’s what Great Lakes Forever’s seventh annual photo contest proposes to do with winning photos and artwork. Submit an image or artwork related to the Great Lakes region, showing its unique landscape and the communities living on its shores and you could also win other prizes. The original art category is a new approach this year. While photographers, professional and amateur, have entered their images in the past, this year’s contest is also soliciting drawings, paintings, graphic illustrations or other Great Lakes inspired art.