Great Lakes are in ‘uncharted territory,’ as climate change prompts sudden lurches in water levels, two University of Michigan professors write.
Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Great Lakes News Collaborative
Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, The Narwhal and Michigan Public work together to report on the most pressing threats to the Great Lakes region’s water. This independent journalism is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. You can find all of the collaborative’s stories here.
Shockwave
The Great Lakes region is in the midst of a seismic energy shakeup, from skyrocketing data center demand and a nuclear energy boom, to expanding renewables and electrification. In 2026, the Great Lakes News Collaborative will explore how shifting supply and demand affect the region and its waters. Read the series here.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
The debate is on: Will wolves move to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula?
More than 500 wolves live in the Upper Peninsula, but some scientists are split about whether they will return to the Northern Lower Peninsula
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Wolves face genetic challenge in Michigan’s Isle Royale, study says
Scientists are scrambling to learn why the wolf population has plummeted on Isle Royale. Blame genes, one study suggests.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opens up more Michigan farmland to solar power
The Democratic governor reverses a rule by her Republican predecessor and allows solar energy development on as much as 3.4 million acres of farmland.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan lobbyist for polluter wrote law easing toxic cleanups, emails show
Emails uncovered by FOIA show a Lansing lobbyist for Wolverine Worldwide wrote a law to weaken pollution cleanup standards, months after negotiating a lawsuit settlement with a company accused of contaminating West Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan leads nation in PFAS. It will lead cleanups, too, U.S. reps say
A bipartisan group from Michigan’s congressional delegation vows to protect waterways in Michigan, push for PFAS standards and explore ways to keep Asian carp out of Lake Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
GOP donor’s plans to dredge Grand River meet rough waters in West Michigan
The husband of former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land wants the state to dredge the river near Grand Rapids to allow power boats to reach Lake Michigan. Environmentalists are crying foul.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Booster downplays dredging conflicts: ‘People are allowed to make money’
A powerhouse Republican donor is championing a dredging project that could increase the value of his own land. A former Senate majority leader who steered grants for the project says that’s no big deal.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
New Michigan Environmental Council chief has deep roots in civil rights
Conan Smith, whose grandfather authored the civil rights clause to the Michigan Constitution, wants to break down racial and cultural barriers within the environmental movement.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan shrinks credits for rooftop solar, clouding industry’s future
In a battle over fairness and who controls Michigan’s renewable energy future, utilities successfully pushed state lawmakers and regulators to lower compensation for rooftop solar owners who add electricity grid.