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.
Rural Michigan
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 inThe Center for Michigan
Bridge Book Club to discuss ‘Wounds’ in September
Authors and Michigan natives Razel Jones and Daniel Abbott will join Bridge Michigan for a discussion of their collaborative memoir. Join us on Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. September 24. Bridge members receive a free e-version of the book.
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 inQuality of Life
Michigan animal shelter blames economy for rising dog surrenders
Shelters emptied last year. Now one mid-Michigan shelter is near capacity. Officials say owners are having to give up their pets because they can’t afford them.
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 Health Watch
CDC recommends masks in 11 Michigan counties. Most have low inoculation rates
Most of Michigan has been spared the COVID surge sweeping nation. The counties deemed to have high or significant rates also tend to lag in vaccinations.
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
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.
Posted inQuality of Life
Donkeys and yoga, tree houses with TVs at alternative Michigan campsites
With campsites at state and national parks hard to book in a pandemic, creative property owners with very particular passions are renting out space through sites like Hipcamp and Tentrr. One official called it the “wild, wild West.”