For Friday, July 31, 2020 (what happened to July?)

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1 – Don’t open or plant the seeds. 

That’s the message from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The agency is warning residents to alert the authorities if they receive unsolicited packages containing seeds from China.

People across the U.S., including Michigan, have reported receiving packages of seeds that they didn’t order. 

The seeds are usually sent in white packages displaying Chinese lettering and the words “China Post.” 

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Officials say they don’t know what type of seeds are in the packages, but the unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.

If you receive an unsolicited package of seeds from China, hold on to the seeds, packaging and mailing label, and contact Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Customer Service Center, at 800-292-3939 or via MDA-Info@michigan.gov.

For more information, see www.michigan.gov/mdard.

2 – An electronics recycling event is set for Aug. 5-8 in Bay City along with Bangor and Hampton townships. 

All Bay County residents can participate. Business and commercial waste will not be accepted. 

Electronic waste is a growing issue around the world. Improper disposal of electronics can contaminate our soil, groundwater and waterways. Officials say the event will allow many components to be reclaimed and recycled into new products.

Items like desktop and laptop computers will be accepted at no cost. A fee of $10 will be charged for computer monitors and TVs. 

For more information, see BayCityRecycles.org or call 989-894-8312. 

Key funding for the recycling effort comes from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

3 – Community Action grants are available for sustainability projects in the Saginaw Bay region. 

The Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network says it will award grants of up to $1,000 to successful applicants whose projects show creativity, address an important and demonstrated need, and support the network’s vision to “balance economic, environmental, and social priorities to enhance the quality of life” in the area. 

Project applications are due by August 21. 

A form is available at the Saginaw Bay WIN website at saginawbaywin.org.  

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

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