Sea Lamprey and Round Goby

Sea lamprey are cartilaginous, jawless fish that are generally marine and ascend freshwater rivers to spawn. “Sea lampreys are unique from many other fishes in that they do not have jaws or other bony structures, and instead possess a skeleton made of cartilage. While sea lampreys resemble eels, they are not related and are set…

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Zebra Mussels

For the most part, Michigan citizens know and are aware that this invasive species Zebra Mussels are alive and well established in the Great Lakes Region. “This small freshwater mollusk originated in the Black, Caspian, and Azov seas region of the former Soviet Union. By the late  18th and early 19th centuries, the construction of…

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Eurasian Watermilfoil

One of the most known aquatic invasive species Eurasian Watermilfoil is present in almost every state in the US. It was discovered in the states in the 1940s and has been spreading ever since. According to the Michigan Invasive Species,  “Eurasian watermilfoil inhabits water bodies ranging from fresh to brackish. Areas that have been disturbed…

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The Great Lakes

The Great Lakes Region is composed of five great lakes(Michigan, Huron, Ontario, Erie, and Superior), one small lake(Lake St.Clare), the St Lawrence seaway, and four connecting channels. Forty million residents of the United States and Canada depend on this system for clean drinking water. According to NOAA ” The Lakes draw $4 billion in recreation…

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Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species

There are quite a few invasive species that call the Great Lakes their home, here are some of the top aquatic ones to look out for next time you are on the water…. Zebra Mussel Zebra Mussels get their name by the black stripe that is on the back of their shells, these mussels can…

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Stewardship Day at Shiawassee River State Game Area

On Saturday, September 21 On the Water(OTW) which is funded by Consumers Energy Foundation teamed up with MI Birds and the DNR to host a Stewardship Day at Shiawassee River State Game Area. The objective of this event was to clean up trash in and along the Bad River which is a sub-watershed of the…

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Checking in on our AmeriCorps Member

Only 38 days left of my service term with Huron Pines AmeriCorps as MUCC’s Engagement Specialist. MUCC never fails to keep me involved, as I have been to six events over the last 14 days. I was as far north as Gratiot/Saginaw county to the Ohio border at Lake Hudson. Here is a recap of…

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Red Cedar River Clean Up

On July 13th, MUCC partnered up with Michigan State University’s Landscape Services for a joint Red Cedar River Clean up event. About two miles of the Red Cedar River run through MSU’s campus, this thriving ecosystem supports many of the local wildlife in the area, along with being a subwatershed to the Upper Grand River…

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