For Friday, Aug. 21, 2020

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1 – Little Forks Conservancy is working with a chapter of Trout Unlimited to improve and protect fish habitat in the Cedar River. 

The river’s North Branch flows through a George and Sue Lane Nature Preserve owned by the conservancy in Gladwin County. 

State biologists say trout numbers in the river there are lower than expected and have recommended habitat improvements. 

The conservancy and Trout Unlimited chapter have since secured funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife to clean up areas of the river and install six habitat structures for fish and the bugs they eat. 

They’ve also cleared a number of logjams to promote natural sediment passage and decrease erosion.

For more information on the project and future plans, see littleforks.org. 

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2 – Last week was Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week in Michigan. 

The Michigan Office of the Great Lakes capped it off by releasing an annual State of the Great Lakes report. 

Actions to protect drinking water and the impact of high water levels across the state are among the topics in the report. 

Also included: new standards for drinking water, work to halt Asian carp from advancing into the lakes, research into harmful algal blooms, student and community water literacy programs, and Soo Lock expansion developments. 

Saginaw Bay is mentioned in relation to places where Asian carp could thrive. Officials say Michigan is working diligently to partner with Illinois to prevent bighead, silver and black carp from entering the Great Lakes. 

3 – Do you know how to identify woody invasive plants? 

If not, then you might want to check out WoodyInvasives.org, which contains information on how to distinguish woody invasive plants from similar plants that are beneficial. 

There also are noninvasive woody plant ideas for gardeners and landscape designers at WoodyInvasives.org. 

Across the eight Great Lakes states and Ontario, 28 woody plant species are regulated as invasive by at least one jurisdiction. Invasive species are those that are not native and can cause harm to the environment, economy or human health.

WoodyInvasives.org was funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

– 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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