For Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 (42)

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1 – Since it started in 2014, the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program has given out more than $18.5 million to universities, nonprofits and governments to prevent, detect and manage invasive species in the state.

You can see all 112 projects on a new online story app. The digital tool allows users to explore efforts in their area and across the state to protect forests, waters and open spaces from the effects of invasive species. 

Under Control and Management, the site includes information on Saginaw Bay projects.

Those include a Bay County program to treat and control invasive phragmites on 725 acres of Saginaw Bay shoreline. The aim is to restore coastal wetlands and native shore lands to their natural conditions. 

The map is online at Michigan.gov/MISGP.

 

2- The best way to dispose of unused medication is not via the toilet or trash can. 

You should instead look for a take-back program in your community. 

Michigan’s environmental agency, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), has worked with communities to develop a Michigan drug disposal map with more than 800 take-back locations. 

Medications and personal care products collected at these sites are incinerated to destroy active drug components, keeping them out of waterways and away from kids.

A statewide drug disposal map includes four pharmacies in the Bay City area that accept and will properly dispose of unused medication.  

State officials note that research on surface water, groundwater and landfill leachate has detected low levels of medications in the environment. 

No known health effects for people have been detected, but changes have been reported in creatures like fish, frogs, birds and bacteria, EGLE says. 

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard Friday mornings in Bay City, Michigan, on Delta College Q-90.1 FM NPR. Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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