Great Lakes Echo (https://greatlakesecho.org/tag/echo/page/24/)
As osprey populations continue to increase, so do the issues that they face in a changing environment.
Experts are spreading the word that extreme caution needs to be taken concerning the birds’ nests on cell phone and powerline towers.
Here’s a reminder of Great Lakes beaches in warmer times. This plant is the federally and state-protected Pitcher’s thistle, which is also known as a dune thistle. The photo was taken last summer by habitat restoration specialist Terry Heatlie at Bois Blanc Island in north Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The Pitcher’s thistle is native exclusively to the Great Lakes region, according to the National Fish and Wildlife Service. It was added to the government’s list of threatened species back in 1988.
Reuse, waste reduction, fuel 10-year decline. The state has almost enough space for three decades of trash.
Hoping for a quick thaw to escape the winter blues? Not so fast.
A fast melt of accumulated snow could harm Michigan waters.
Zebra mussels are one of five aquatic invasive species that The Nature Conservancy has deemed “‘the usual suspects’ doing the most damage in the Great Lakes basin and beyond.”
Originally from Eastern Europe and western Russia, zebra mussels are the only freshwater mussels that can attach directly to other objects. They most likely have come over attached to the bottoms of ships. Once here, the mussels grow in population rapidly. Zebra mussels can produce 100,000 to 500,000 eggs per year, according to The Nature Conservancy. Nicknamed “the Silent Strangler,” these pests smother native freshwater mussels and kill plankton that some fish need to survive.
When formerly submerged trees end up on shore, prey fish lose their cover from predators.
We asked Great Lakes photographers to send us some of their favorite or toughest Great Lakes shots. Photographer and artist Laura Miller sent us these photos. Late January 2014 has been particularly difficult along the Maumee River in Ohio because of the amount of snow and rain we received with near-record precipitation. These photos of an ice jam reflect the challenge of the river environment with the next challenge being flooding in the spring. Although this part of the river had an ice jam, farther upstream the water was flowing freely as the ice had been swept away. The Maumee River is the largest Great Lakes watershed and feeds into Lake Erie. There is a wonderful park system that follows the river providing abundant opportunities to enjoy the river. Getting to the river isn’t the easiest during the winter months. The most difficult aspect of this photo adventure was knowing where the river bank ended and the river began. You can’t help but respect the power and beauty of the ice when you’re actually on the banks of the river. As you get closer to the water’s edge, you can easily go through the ice not knowing there is water flowing underneath.
Environmental groups have won what they call a victory for birds with the suspension of a plan to build a wind turbine in Ohio.
In this installment of our “Landscope” series, get a bird’s eye view of the “birth” of a landfill in Kent County, Mich.
Some Ontario residents will soon heat their homes with discarded burrito wrappers.