It has been a mild winter so far in the Great Lakes region. And while some rejoice the warmer temperatures, the lack of snow and ice hurts communities that rely on winter tourism.

What qualifies a state to be a “Great Lakes state”? Shoreline? Progressive policy-making when dealing with the lakes? While the Great Lakes club has traditionally been determined by geography, perhaps we should start including other factors.

This is the fourth video in a series of short documentaries covering invasive species in the Great Lakes, showing how invaders are changing the ecosystems in national parks and what’s being done to stop them.

This is the third video in a four part series of documentaries covering invasive species in the Great Lakes, showing how invaders are changing the ecosystems in national parks and what’s being done to stop them.

This is the second video of four short documentaries covering invasive species in the Great Lakes, showing how invaders are changing the ecosystems in national parks and what’s being done to stop them.

The is the first of of a four part series of short documentaries covering invasive species in the Great Lakes, showing how invaders are changing the ecosystems in national parks and what’s being done to stop them.

It’s been another fun year of providing Great Lakes environmental news here at Great Lakes Echo.

And, while we love every story equally, here are the most read stories of 2011.

Welcome to day two of our favorite reader comments from 2011. The Echo staff has spent hours combing through the brilliant, funny and, at times, inane comments on our stories, and narrowed it down to a few of the best. Enjoy!

Whether it’s a regular chiming in or a newbie venting over the latest smoking ban news, our readers add to stories with their comments. This is our first installment of our favorite reader comments of 2011. Don’t see yours? Leave us a comment!

Despite our deference to search engines, we still occasionally have funny or downright weird headlines.

The Echo staff hand-picked (clicked?) the top 15 of 2011.

Enjoy.