For Friday, Aug. 14, 2018

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1 – Bay County is looking for your input on parks and recreation.

The county is participating in a joint recreation plan with 14 other communities, from Auburn to Williams Township.

They’re asking people to go online to baycountysurvey.com.

Officials say ideas from the survey will help shape the future of parks in Bay County.

An updated five-year Bay County Parks and Recreation Plan will cover recreation for the county and participating municipalities that also include Bangor Township, Bay City, Beaver Township, Essexville, Frankenlust Township, Fraser Township, Hampton Township, Kawkawlin Township, Merritt Township, Monitor Township, Pinconning and Portsmouth Township.

The survey at baycountysurvey.com takes five to 10 minutes to complete and asks questions about county and local recreation. The recreation plan can help the county and community secure grants in the future.

2 – What are riparian buffer strips? Two groups are trying to get the message out.

The word riparian refers to the place where streams meet land.

Riparian buffer strips typically contain three progressive zones of plants to filter groundwater and protect the environment.

Together, these zones:

• reduce sediment loss
• provide shade and moderate temperature
• maintain bank stability
• recharge groundwater
• protect aquatic and wildlife habitat
• enhance nutrient uptake.

These benefits can apply to buffer strips near agricultural, industrial or residential areas.

Human use of land near streams can negatively impact the purity of the water. Riparian buffers are a primary tool for protecting freshwater ecosystems.

You can find out more online from the American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 7:49 a.m. and 9:49 a.m. on Fridays in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR. Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes