Better water quality, habitat, investments have made Saginaw Bay the world's greatest fishery... and it is not going unnoticed on the national stage for professional fishing. @RouteBayCitysecondwavemedia.com/baycity/…
“The extraordinary power of flowing water makes it our planet’s greatest architect. Freshwater not only shapes the land, but life itself – it is the most precious ingredient for life on Earth.” — Sir David Attenborough
Although it was a little chilly and wet, I had a fun time with the Friends of the Shiawassee River doing some volunteer water quality sampling at the site of the former Shiatown dam. The river is healthier, safer, and prettier without the concrete.
How is a river born? Where does it come from?
For Michigan's longest river, the Grand, part of its headwaters can be found at the Grand River Fen Preserve—350 acres of high-quality habitat just south of Jackson. nature.ly/3N8v1iX
ALT A stream meanders through tall grasses. The sky is reflected in the water.
ALT Purple flowers blooming at Grand River Fen.
ALT The sun shines through a forest of tall trees at Grand River Fen Preserve.
If locking eyes with a sandhill crane stopped you from scrolling, this post is for you ➡️ The @savingcranes Midwest Crane Count is this Saturday. Participants in 150 counties will track and report the sandhill and whooping cranes they spot. Learn more: nature.ly/41mSu5c
ALT A close up image of a sandhill crane staring defiantly into the camera.
ALT Image of food in the form of words. Text says 'Cut Food Waste To Cut Emissions: April EnvirSchool: Compost, Food Waste, and YOU, April 13, 2023. 4:30-6:00 pm.
DYK you can monitor spring freeze conditions w/ the MRCC Vegetation Impact Program? Maps below show number of days since the most recent 28F (left) & the date (right). Similar maps available for 32F, plus variety of GDD maps & past freeze climatology.
mrcc.purdue.edu/VIP/frz_maps…
My beloved #ShiawasseeRiver is flooding after a cold spring with lots of rain. Floodplains being replenished and sewer systems overflowing with stormwater.
Rare butterfly spotted in Detroit park, ‘first in decades’
Regal fritillaries were once more common in Michigan. But with so much habitat loss, it is considered a vulnerable species.
via @robertgstreitplanetdetroit.org/2023/03/ra…
We are currently accepting nominations for our Soil Health Hero awards!
Help us celebrate the extraordinary achievements of #Saginaw Valley farmers—who work hard to protect water quality and soil health—by nominating a farmer today. #AgDay23
GOOD NEWS: @EPA proposed national drinking water standards for six toxic PFAS chemicals 🎉
These cancer-causing chemicals contaminate our drinking water, fish, and wildlife — posing a threat to our health. With these proposed standards, communities nationwide will be protected.
Putting women in positions of conservation leadership can literally change the world. 🙌 In the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) reached at COP15, there’s a target that reflects the reality of gender equity being imperative to achieving the goals of GBF.nature.ly/42hMgFk
These large birds prefer open habitats and have a loud, trumpeting call with a very unique tone.
Can you name the species? Leave your answers in the comments below.
Photo: Marvin De Jong/USFWS
ALT The silhouette of two large birds preparing to take flight after sunrise.
“Almost without exception, where dams have been removed, you see populations bounce back, often much more quickly than anyone anticipated.” bit.ly/30XNvKG
Happy Giving Tuesday! Please consider donating, and you can help us continue our work to educate our local youth about the Shiawassee River, and protect it for generations to come! Learn more and donate by clicking the link. shiawasseeriver.org/GivingTu…