Visitors to public lands and outdoor recreation are overwhelmingly white. State land managers say they want to reduce this “nature gap,” while African-American and Latino groups are encouraging more exploration of Michigan waters and trails.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan environmental issues for Bridge. She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon’s natural resources. She has a master’s degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at khouse@bridgemi.com or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan shifts approach to monitor spread of deadly deer disease
After years of collecting samples from killed deer that overwhelmed state resources while failing to provide the information biologists need to track chronic wasting disease, state officials are taking a more targeted approach.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Toilet water is fouling Michigan’s water. State eyes loans to fix septics.
Public health advocates and bipartisan lawmakers are advocating for new funding to fix the failing septics that leech fecal bacteria, viruses and toxins into Michigan’s waterways.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s soggy summer evidence of a global climate reckoning
The massive storms that ripped through southeast Michigan this summer are likely the state’s new normal, but our aging infrastructure was designed for the climate of the past.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
How bad is COVID? Even the deer test positive in Michigan. (Don’t be alarmed)
A federal study finds herds in Michigan and other states have virus antibodies in their blood. That’s more of an indication of its spread than cause for concern. The deer are doing just fine.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Groups mobilize to protect Upper Peninsula forest lands from mining, logging
A coalition known as Keep the U.P. Wild wants Congress to designate 51,000 acres in the Ottawa National Forest as a ‘wilderness.’ A logging representative asks ‘how many set-aside areas do we really need?’
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
After federal rule change, Michigan resumes killing cormorants to save fish
The state has permission to kill up to 9,650 birds and destroy up to 1,400 nests, a move state wildlife managers hope will reduce pressure on fish populations valued by anglers. Opponents say the birds are scapegoated for a fish collapse they didn’t cause.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Land sale threatens public access in the U.P. Should the state step in?
The private timberlands that blanket Keweenaw County have been open for public recreation for generations. But with 32,600 acres now for sale by a New York hedge fund, some fear “no trespassing” signs may follow.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Monarch butterflies decimated. How climate change is killing them in Michigan
Yes, planting milkweed helps. But a new study by Michigan State University researchers links hotter, drier weather to monarch declines and raises questions about the iconic butterflies’ future as the climate changes.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Emergencies surge at northern Michigan parks, lakes. Time for a rescue tax?
A death at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the most recent incident in a summer of tragedy in Michigan’s remote wildernesses. That’s stretched resources and has lawmakers thinking of new funding sources.