Invasive Species
INVASIVE WATCH: HIMALAYAN BALSAM
This week were taking a look at a terrestrial invasive that looks extremely similar to some of Michigan’s favorite flowers the pale forget-me-not. The Himalayan balsam is on Michigan’s priority invasive species watchlist, even though it has been detected throughout portions of the Upper Peninsula, in areas such a Sugar Island in Gross’s Isle, near…
Read MoreINVASIVE WATCHLIST: CHINESE YAM
With summer officially wrapping up, and the first few weeks of fall under our belts, it’s that time of year again where yard work picks back up in preparation for winter. As we start raking our yards, blowing leaves, cutting shrubbery and trimming plants back for new growth next year it’s important to keep your…
Read MoreA BRIEF LOOK INTO MICHIGAN’S ECONOMY AND THE EFFECTS OF INVASIVE SPECIES
Michigan is proudly known for its extensive outdoor recreational opportunities and tourist destinations spanning across both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Each year visitor spending brings in over $17 billion dollars, which supports over 150,000 jobs in the state alone. With visitors traveling in from all parts of the world, the pathways for invasive species…
Read MorePHOTOGRAPHER RAISING INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WITH ART
Most of us are aware of the threats that invasive plants can pose to our waters and lands, clogging our rivers, and choking out native plants. But it can be hard to get some folks concerned for the survival of plants, when there’s so many cute animals to go around, like the painted turtle or…
Read MoreINVASIVE SPECIES WATCHLIST: KUDZU
Some find it incredible, others call it a disaster, but either way Kudzu, a creeping, crawling, climbing perennial vine is terrorizing native plants all over the southeastern United States and is making its way north. Kudzu is an invasive species that is native to Japan and southeast China. It made its way into the United…
Read MoreINVASIVE SPECIES | FEDERAL GRANT AWARDED FOR DETROIT RIVER INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL
By Mikaylah Heffernan, MUCC Resource Policy Assistant U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters announced recently that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is awarding $4.8 million to restore habitats along the Detroit River, part of the Friends of the Detroit River Stony Island Habitat Restoration Project. The award will go to Friends of the…
Read MoreDEQ, DNR, MDARD HOSTING BOAT LAUNCH EVENTS FOR AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK
DEQ Press Release: Gov. Rick Snyder has proclaimed July 3-9 as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week in Michigan, and state departments are observing the week with outreach events at more than 50 boat launches statewide. AIS are non-native aquatic plants and animals that disrupt the natural ecosystem, tourism and the economy. (MUCC Photo: European FrogBit takes over a…
Read MoreDNR SEEKS COMMENT ON TERRESTRIAL INVASIVE SPECIES PLAN
by Mikaylah Heffernan, MUCC Resource Policy Assistand & Glassen Scholar The public is invited to provide input on the draft Michigan’s Terrestrial Invasive Species State Management Plan through June 24, 2016. Covered under this plan is any terrestrial species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to…
Read MorePUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON AQUATIC INVASIVES
By Mikaylah Heffernan, MUCC Resource Policy Assistant The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on a proposed amendment to the aquatic invasive plant treatment proposal approved in 2015 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washing your boats, canoes and kayaks can prevent the transfer of aquatic invasive plants. Photo: MUCC…
Read MoreINVASIVE ALERT | LYME GRASS
As the thought of summer approaches, it’s hard not to think about the beaches and playing on the sandy shores, or exploring many of the dunes that surround our Great Lakes. However, over the recent years, as Lake Michigan water levels have been dropping, a species called Blue Lyme Grass appears to be spreading through…
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