- The May 27 virtual discussion will cover what readers are telling us are the most pressing environmental issues facing our state
- Participants can to ask questions of Bridge Michigan reporters during the discussion on Zoom
- More than 2,200 people have submitted responses to the Bridge Listens survey, as our newsroom engages in a yearlong listening effort heading into the 2026 election
Bridge Michigan’s next monthly virtual conversation is May 27 and will focus on the many environmental issues impacting the state’s lakes and rivers, outdoor spaces and infrastructure, which readers in the Bridge Listens survey have identified as a top issue.
Once a month, all year, these virtual events are diving into the priorities you told us matter as part of a yearlong listening effort to identify the most important issues affecting our state. We’ve received over 2,200 responses focusing on everything from the economy to education to the cost of health care. We are using that feedback to help shape our reporting and to press candidates on those issues.
The virtual series will continue with an hourlong discussion about the greatest threats to the Great Lakes, Michigan’s energy transition, data centers and more. It will be moderated by outdoors life reporter Laura Herberg and feature readers, along with reporters Kelly House and Simon D. Schuster.
The event will dissect gubernatorial candidates’ solutions and discuss unique challenges the state is facing, from invasive mussels that have tanked fish populations to algae blooms fueled by farm runoff, the debates swirling around data centers, the impact of intensifying weather events impacting citizens and stressing infrastructure and the efforts to protect Michigan’s natural spaces.
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The forum is the third in the Bridge Listens series, following a March discussion about schools and an April discussion on health care.
Register here for a calendar invitation to Zoom link to join the event.
Bridge’s has recently hosted events about winter recreation, the collapse of whitefish in the lower Great Lakes, tourism, deer hunting, opioid settlement funds, gun violence, Michigan’s population crisis, youth mental health and industrial pollution.
How to join this live Zoom discussion
You will receive details on joining the Zoom discussion after you register with Eventbrite. On the day of the event, we will email you a reminder and link to the Zoom.
To learn more about how to join a Zoom meeting, read this. Zoom is free to use, and you can use the video call function on your computer, tablet or phone, or you can call into the meeting using the conference line function.
Member support allows us to offer engagement opportunities like this Lunch Break series. To regularly receive advance notification of what our nonprofit newsroom is planning and receive member-exclusive benefits — such as free Bridge event tickets, copies of our bimonthly Bridge Culture Club selections and more — become a Bridge Club member today.
We look forward to seeing you on May 27.
Thank you to our Michigan Environment Watch sponsors
Bridge Michigan Environment Watch is made possible by generous financial support from our sponsors. Sponsorship supports our independent journalism mission but does not constitute sponsor endorsement of individual articles or editorial content. Bridge Michigan journalism remains fact- and data-driven and independent at all times.
Please visit the About page for more information and to subscribe to Environment Watch. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Emma Carr.
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