August Environment Report by Denise Clegg In a June 2019 article in Forbes Magazine with the above name, author Jeff McMahon discusses three unusual ways to affect climate change. His source is Project Drawdown a world-class research and communication organization which serves as a non-partisan, noncommercial, highly trusted source of solutions to reverse global warming. …
What can we do to preserve pollinators?
According to the website http://metroparent.com there are some rather easy actions that we can take to preserve pollinators in our gardens. Stop buying plants pretreated with neonicotinoids. Treated pants are primarily sold at big box stores. These insecticides are sprayed onto seeds and are effective for up to 10 weeks. They were seen as less …
Invasive Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard is an exotic invasive plant from Europe that invades woodland habitats in North America and impacts forest biodiversity. In some woodlands, dense stands of garlic mustard in the spring threaten showy spring blooming ephemerals like spring beauty, trilliums and trout lilies. Other research points toward potentially negative impacts on timber species and forest health. …
Top Five Environmental Concerns for 2019
The top 5 environmental concerns for 2019 are: Biodiversity Water Deforestation Pollution Climate Change Biodiversity is the complex system of the environment having an impact directly and indirectly on every other thing. In the March report I reported on the stone fly, a seemingly insignificant insect. I reported on that to demonstrate how a small …
Having a Healthy Lawn While Being Environmentally Sound
April Environmental Report written by Denise Clegg My husband has often said he didn’t go to college to be a grass farmer. However, much of his leisure time is spent taking care of the lawn. The perfect lawn is not a priority in retirement. So, I’m hoping that I can impart some wisdom from the …
Consequences of Seemingly Harmless Activity
Are you planning a vacation this year? Going to do some hiking? Have you seen the signs for leave no trace. “Please take nothing but photos leave nothing but footprints,” they say. Or, “pack it in pack it out.” You get the idea. According to information in an m-live article rock stacking is causing environmental …
We’re Losing Monarch Butterflies Fast- Here’s Why
It’s not too late to save them, but it’s a question of whether we make the effort, scientists say. 6 MINUTE READBY CARRIE ARNOLD PUBLISHED DECEMBER 21, 2018 https://apple.news/Aa1Z3g8Y4SQW33KAhsvQI9Q
The Nature Conservancy’s Ross Coastal Plain Marsh
GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY OUR ENVIRONMENT “Just north of South Haven, MI, you will find one of the state’s unique natural treasures. The Nature Conservancy’s Ross Coastal Plain Marsh is 1,449 acres of beauty and is home to a stunning variety of habitats, plants, and wildlife. The diversity of life found at Ross can …
Enbridge Settlement Funding Research on Control of Aquatic Invasive Species
A project begun this year in the Fort Custer Recreation Area (FCRA) is a three year research project into control of aquatic invasive species (AIS). It is a multi-pronged approach to control AIS in the FCRA, developed and implemented by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The Kalamazoo River Watershed Council is working with public …
PFAS Contamination in Kalamazoo County
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of over 3,000 man made chemicals that began being produced in the mid 1900s. PFAS are extremely stable chemical compounds. They have many industrial applications such as firefighting foam, waterproofing, and insecticides. As you can see their applications would possibly lead to widespread ground applications and potential …
