Three ecologists explore the history and future of two vital ecosystems in this book about the savannas and prairies that once cover 7 percent of Michigan.
Farming, logging, development, drainage systems, overuse of groundwater and absence of fire threaten their existence.

Michigan Now‘s Chris McCarus continues to pull the best quotes out of the carp debate. Last week it was a retired steelworker pondering if bin Laden was behind the invasion.
This week it’s Michigan  Congressman Vern Ehlers who apparently isn’t easing quietly into retirement:
“As soon as I can manage to drop a 150 pound carp on the rostrum of the Supreme Court then maybe we can get some action.”

The almost $100 billion slated to provide clean drinking water and to rebuild and develop the nation’s roads, bridges and rails is expected to be one of the federal stimulus’ biggest job creators.
And it’s an area that has clear environmental ramifications. For instance, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced a $25 million grant for 3.4 miles of light rail to connect 12 locations from downtown Detroit to its New Center commercial district.
So how stimulated are the Great Lakes states? It depends on how you look at it.
The investigative journalism …

The ice is back, and it’s filling the newsites and blogosphere with echoes of the 1980s.   Happily it has nothing to do with a certain rapper.
No, the St. Clair River is once again stoppered by a miles-long ice jam.  The last time the river was this backed up was 1984.  That ice jam was 20 miles long and blocked the passage for 24 days.  It was recently eyed as one of the causes for Lake Huron’s falling water levels.
The new ice jam is considerably shorter (a measly 9 miles) and …

Environmental sensors provide wind speed, temperature and air pressure data at 14 locations that are trouble spots for black ice, blowing snow and lake-effect snow. The devices are used to improve road safety.

A new federal law allows firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges, including concealed guns and makes state law applicable within the park or refuge.

In Michigan, that means a person with a concealed weapons permit can have a hidden gun; an openly displayed firearm is also legal. The change doesn’t apply to national forests, which already follow state laws.

The windowless room where our reporters work is nicknamed the Echo Chamber. It’s a catchy phrase that is wrong on a couple counts.
Reporters here better not be mere echoes. They should bring context and fairness and accuracy and diversity and complexity and their own innate brains and knowledge to what they produce.
There is a difference between stenography and journalism.
The name is also wrong because the room doesn’t echo. Even when filled with working reporters it is almost silent.
A good thing about my job is that it lets me keep a …

Michigan officials are surveying the Lower Peninsula for wolves. The agency confirmed two observations last year.

Other wildlife experts say wolves have been in the Lower Peninsula for 20 years, and that more may be moving south.

Some lawmakers want Michigan to be able to issue bonds to help homeowners pay for energy efficiency measures such as renewable energy systems, storm windows, automated energy controls and new heating and air conditioning units. The proposal is designed to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Articles following the carp drama ran in many major newspapers nationwide this week and have found some play overseas as well. But the most consistent and up-to-date coverage is provided by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Dan Egan and John Flesher of the Associated Press.
Carp watchers should keep an eye on the “Ongoing Coverage” section of the Journal-Sentinel’s Great Lakes, Great Peril special report.  Flesher’s most recent report on the financial implications of closing the locks can be found in today’s Los Angeles Times.
And don’t miss Great Lakes Echo’s attempt to resolve …