The Ripley and District Horticultural Society’s (RDHS) Nov. 19 meeting at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre had something for everyone: creative arrangements, Christmas decorations and gardening advice. The usual business reports were presented including the annual summary of the For Our Youth group activities. The youth wing of the local horticultural society enjoyed another successful season […]
By Georgia Hill
Scientists studying the body size and growth patterns of non-native earthworms in the UP’s Huron Mountains say they are disrupting forest ecosystems. Contrary to popular belief, most North American earthworms are invaders unintentionally introduced during European colonization. They have a significant impact on ecosystems, especially in the Great Lakes region where they affect soil structure, nutrient cycling and biodiversity.
The post New research in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula shows how invasive earthworms are changing forest soils first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.
By Eric Freedman
Empty lots in deindustrialized cities like Detroit may contribute to bird species diversity, says a new study by researchers at MSU and Carleton University in Canada. The study is based on sound recordings collected at 110 sites in 11 Detroit neighborhoods. The study recommends that vacant land management in the city takes a balanced approach that considers the needs of both residents and birds. There are other concerns about vacant land, too, including as sites for solar arrays.
The post Vacant lots boost diversity among Detroit’s birds, study finds first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.
The first meeting of the fall season of the Ripley and District Horticultural Society (RDHS) took place at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, Sept. 17. The group welcomed Amanda Saxton and Kim Armitage of Kincardine Environmental Action Network (KEAN), a group dedicated to promoting sustainable living practices and finding solutions that benefit both their community and […]
The Ontario government is committing $180,000 to projects aimed at restoring and protecting waterways on Manitoulin Island, part of the Lake Huron watershed. The investment will help improve water quality, […]
By Emilio Perez Ibarguen
In 2023, community organizers from the outdoor Discovery Center, an outdoor education and conservation-focused nonprofit in Holland, Michigan looked for ways to further sustainability efforts in the west Michigan community. This led to a partnership with another local nonprofit to create the Carbon Community Fund, which accepts donations from residents to fund local conservation efforts.
The post Small city’s ‘community carbon fund’ promises hyper-local carbon reduction first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.
By Donté Smith
Butterfly populations are in decline across the continental U.S., dropping by 22% between 2000 and 2020 according to a study in the journal Science. Almost a third of the 342 species studied have seen their numbers fall by more than half. To help combat that trend, the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Michigan, launched its Great Lakes Rare Butterfly Program in 2021 to protect the region’s most threatened species.