Audubon Great Lakes members held an advocacy day for the first time in Michigan. Wetlands topped the agenda, but was just one item in a list to improve the environment.
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
Audit finds mix of successes, problems with Great Lakes restoration grants
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has improved conditions in polluted lakes and rivers, but sometimes failed to deliver on environmental justice goals.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Over 31,000 salmon euthanized after disease detected at Michigan hatchery
Over 31,000 Atlantic salmon were killed by Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff after being infected with bacterial kidney disease, or BKD.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Drugs, microplastics, forever chemicals a growing concern in Great Lakes
Pharmaceuticals, microplastics, PFAS and ingredients found in personal care products are among the emerging — and sometimes unmonitored — contaminants in the Great Lakes region.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Swim at your own risk: High E. coli count closes nine Michigan beaches
Nine beaches in Michigan are closed and under contamination advisories after heavy rainfall washes in harmful bacteria.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan to monitor smog in eight counties amid switch to summer gasoline
Consumers may have noticed an increase in gas prices as refineries made the switch to summer-grade fuel, which is more environmentally friendly but also more costly than winter-grade fuel.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan schools receive $24 million to buy electric buses
Twenty-eight Michigan school districts received a combined $24 million in federal rebates to purchase electric buses. It’s the latest in a series of federal awards to eliminate aging diesel buses.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Trash into treasure: Rethinking waste in Michigan college towns
College-town organizations are finding creative ways to use students’ unwanted items to give back to the community — and keep waste out of landfills while they’re at it.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
After delays in Flint lead pipe replacement, Michigan comes to rescue
The state has asked a federal judge for permission to finish repairing about 1,900 properties left damaged after crews replaced lead pipes. Flint was supposed to finish the work in 2020, but is years behind schedule with funds running low.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan to invest $110M in EV chargers. At $134K a plug, it won’t go far
Hoping to entice drivers into electric vehicles, the government is spending mightily to build EV charging stations across Michigan. But high costs mean the money won’t go far.