For Friday, April 1, 2016. No Foolin’.

…

1 – A new Geographic Information System is online for Bay County.

Bay County and Bay City government have spent almost a year on the project.

The new Geographic Information System, or GIS, Web viewer is a computerized mapping system. 

It contains a large database of information on items like water well locations, flood plain boundaries, soils, and wetlands.

The new online resource is a valuable tool, says Bay County Executive Tom Hickner.

It can be used by citizens as well as government agencies like the Bay County Road Commission, and businesses.

• Via the Bay County Newsletter 

 

 

2 – The Chippewa Nature Center of Midland is hosting a stop on the world tour of the Banff Mountain Film Festival.

The festival will be stopping at the Bullock Creek Auditorium in Midland on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9. The tour features a series of nature-themed films from around the globe.

Screenings include a special edit of “Chasing Niagara,” about a pro kayaker who decides to paddle over Niagara Falls.

Festival sponsors include the Little Forks Conservancy and the Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy.

The festival is named after The Banff Centre, an arts and cultural organization in Alberta, Canada.

 

3 – Applications are due by May 4 for funding from the Great Lakes Clean Communities Network.

The Network’s Community Partnership Program funds small projects to assist communities with various practices to improve water quality in their watershed. Funding is made possible through the Great Lakes Protection Fund.

The Network offers an Ecological Scorecard service where communities can evaluate and track their ecological improvements over time. 

Communities, municipalities, and watershed organizations within the Great Lakes region that have initiated or completed an evaluation are eligible to participate in the program.

Applicants may apply for up to $4,000 in funding.

Applications are due by May 4 for projects that directly improve water quality or support ecological indicators such as planting trees or installing green infrastructure.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 9 a.m. Fridays in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR.

Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes