Water
Group hugs and campfire songs won’t solve Great Lakes problems in 2014
|
Aggressive action is needed to tackle 2014 key Great Lakes decisions: What do we do about Lake Erie algae, Asian carp and water diversion?
Climate
Great Lakes ice cover surpasses 88 percent
|
Ice cover on the Great Lakes reached 88 percent this month for the first time in a decade, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory. Since 1973, average ice cover of the lakes has been just more than 50 percent. It has only exceeded 80 percent five times in the past 40 years. This image of the Great Lakes was taken by NASA’s Aqua satellite on February 19, 2014. NASA reported that NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory put ice cover at just over 80 percent.
Air
Drone pilot wants to livestream video to firefighters
|
As firefighters and several fire trucks work to put out the flames, that’s when Harry C. Arnold launches his drone and flies towards the big cloud of grey smoke.
Air
Great Lakes Month in Review: Algae blooms and Gov. Snyder’s record
|
At the end of each month Current State check in with Great Lakes commentator and journalist Gary Wilson for updates on environmental stories from around the basin. Today’s Great Lakes Month in Review, focuses on Governor Snyder’s environmental efforts and algae blooms.
Land
Green gavel: N.Y. supplier liable for poison in baby food apples
|
A company that supplied a baby food maker with apples contaminated with rodenticides is liable for damages for breach of contract, a federal judge in Rochester, N.Y., has ruled.
Land
Landscope: Small Saline grows quickly
|
In this installment of our “Landscope” series, get a bird’s eye view of the growth of Saline, Mich., which has expanded from small farming town to an ever-growing community.
Wildlife
Invasive Species: Sea Lamprey
|
By Evan KreagerGreat Lakes Echo
The Nature Conservancy has named sea lampreys one of the five “usual suspects” invading the Great Lakes basin. These eel-looking parasites find a host and suck the life out of it. During the length of one life cycle, a sea lamprey can kill up to 40 pounds worth of fish and can grow up to 3 feet long. Sea lampreys are native to the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
Wildlife
Fur dealers could trap beavers under proposed law change
|
The Michigan Trappers and Predator Callers Association pushed for the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Thomas Casperson, R-Escanaba.
Land
Calling all students and teachers: Young Reporters for the Environment Competition
|
Student reporters and educators alike — the National Wildlife Federation’s “Young Reporters for the Environment Competition” is looking for your environmental work! The contest is open to students ages 13-21. Eligible submissions should demonstrate investigation about an environmental topic, offer solutions, and reflect knowledge of how the topic relates both globally and to the community. Contest entries are accepted as:
-Single photograph
-Photo essay, consisting of no more than 12 photos
-A written article, no more than 1000 words
-Video, no more than three minutes long
The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2014. National winners, which are announced at the end of April, are then entered into the competition’s international level.
Waste
Mr. Great Lakes: Canadian trash, the Weadock Plant, and trees
|
Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) reports from Bay City, Michigan’s Delta College Q-90.1 FM. Feb. 21, 2014 – Mr. Great Lakes (Jeff Kart) – Delta Q 90.1 FM – Environment Report by jeffkart
This week, Kart discusses an increase in Michigan’s trash, the shutting down of a coal-burning plant and a spring tree sale. Text at Mr. Great Lakes