Echo
Gov. to sign farm environmental standards bill
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Legislation to formally recognize a long-standing farm environmental improvement program is well on its way to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk for approval.
Echo
MONDAY MASHUP: Find a GLASS ship
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The Great Lakes Association of Science Ships has a new way of tracking U.S. and Canadian vessels researching the sweetwater seas.
There are about 100 such vessels.
The association’s ship locator is meant to help researchers collaborate and more efficiently use the vessels.
Echo
Photo Friday: Breaking ice
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This image comes from Lauren Jorgensen a petty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Heading towards Cleveland, The Cutter Neah Bay breaks through ice on Lake Erie. To submit an image for consideration for Great Lakes Echo’s Photo Friday feature, send the image, a caption and your name to greatlakesecho@gmail.com. Put Photo Friday in the subject line.
Echo
Climate change shifts songbird populations
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Climate change impacts songbird breeding and distribution patterns and could potentially lead to health problems in birds. Birds now migrate north earlier and south later. They might also arrive too early or too late to feed on hatching insects due to changes in climate.
Echo
Meet the Great Lakes SmackDown! Terrestrial Terrors
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The Great Lakes SmackDown! is back with some mean, green, terrestrial fighting machines! The land brawls start March 14!
Echo
Report details risks of oil and gas development in northern Michigan
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Protecting northern Michigan streams from a controversial method of gas development will take some watchdogging, according to Anglers of the Au Sable.
Echo
MONDAY MASHUP: Great Lakes moon trees
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In 1971 an astronaut orbited the moon while carrying seeds that were later planted across the country. Exact records of the “Moon tree” locations weren’t kept, but astronaut David Williams has tracked down some locations.
Recreation
Permit renewal program to spark more park revenue
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By Thea Hassan
Michigan residents renewing their car registration can now simply check “yes” for an annual unlimited pass for state parks and boat launches. Michigan is only the second state to develop this type of park payment plan. Montana is the other. Since the program began last October, almost 20 percent of renewing drivers chose to participate. The new program replaces the previous $24 annual passes sold at park offices.
Echo
Michigan’s comeback tied to sustainable communities
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Sustainable communities will be a hot topic in the next 50 years, according to a coalition of environmental groups.
That movement will include activities such as the East Stadium Bridges Improvement Project in Ann Arbor, a new master plan in Grand Traverse County and a job training plan in Southeast Michigan.
The long-term vision outlined by the Michigan Environmental Council includes energy, water, great cities, sustainable communities, transportation, agriculture and natural resources.
Wildlife
Great Lakes trumpeter swans are back
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It’s time to break out the brass band because trumpeter swans are back.
Standing up to 4-feet tall with up to an 8-foot wingspan, trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl in North America. Their Great Lakes range includes: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, New York and Ontario.
Early settlers hunted these birds nearly to extinction in the 1800s — using them to make powder puffs and feathered hats.