State Study Reveals Widespread Microplastics
Michigan has begun statewide testing of rivers and streams for microplastics, and early results show they are widespread, regardless of location. Using a $2 million appropriation, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) plans to monitor 200 rivers and streams through 2029. The effort comes alongside new Democratic-backed legislation aimed at regulating and […]
Manoomin and the Future of Tawas Lake
Tawas Lake in East Tawas, Michigan, is home to the state’s largest bed of native wild rice, or manoomin, a culturally significant food for the Anishinaabe people and a keystone species supporting biodiversity. The shallow, 1,600-acre lake hosts more than 40 aquatic plant species, fish like bluegill and pike, and birds including bald eagles and […]
Great Lakes Face Growing Water Demands
A new report from the Alliance for the Great Lakes warns that rising water demand from industries such as data centers, mining, and agriculture could strain the region’s delicate water balance. Although the Great Lakes Compact prevents large-scale diversions outside the basin, local overuse of groundwater poses risks such as sinking cities, higher costs, and […]
DNR Boosts Fish Populations Across the State
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has stocked nearly 19 million fish across the state so far in 2025, part of an ongoing effort to sustain healthy aquatic ecosystems and support recreational fishing. These stocking operations help replenish fish populations, restore species to their native habitats, and maintain ecological balance in both inland and […]
Kalamazoo River Transformed Through Major Restoration Effort
A decades-long effort to remove the Plainwell Dam and restore a section of the Kalamazoo River has been completed, transforming nearly a mile of river and surrounding habitat into a free-flowing ecosystem. The $7 million project led by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources restored 0.8 miles of river channel, stabilized more than a mile […]
Preserving Michigan’s Lighthouses and Maritime Heritage
National Lighthouse Day (August 7) honors the history and service of lighthouse keepers and highlights Michigan’s unique maritime heritage. With over 120 lighthouses, more than any other U.S. state, Michigan’s lights have long guided mariners through the Great Lakes. Each lighthouse is unique in design and history, from the towering Little Sable Point Light to […]
Invasive Red Swamp Crayfish Discovered at Michigan Hatchery
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed the presence of invasive red swamp crayfish in a rearing pond at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery near Kalamazoo. This species, prohibited in Michigan since 2014, was found after the pond was drained following a muskellunge fish stocking operation. Red swamp crayfish were first discovered in […]
Michigan Seeks Public Comment on Enbridge’s Line 5 Tunnel Project
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is inviting public input on two permit applications from Enbridge related to its proposal to construct a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The tunnel would house a replacement for the existing Line 5 dual pipelines, which currently transport oil and natural gas across the […]
Invasive Mussels Threaten the Future of Great Lakes Whitefish
Lake whitefish populations in Lakes Michigan and Huron are in steep decline, largely due to invasive quagga mussels that have decimated a key food source—plankton essential for the survival of young whitefish. Experts from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) told state regulators that fishing restrictions alone won’t be enough to reverse the trend. […]
Grants Support Farmers in Protecting Lake Erie Water Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3.7 million in grants to four organizations in Michigan and Ohio to support farmers in reducing nutrient runoff in the Western Lake Erie Basin—a major cause of harmful algal blooms. The funding, part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), aims to promote more efficient fertilizer use and […]