For Friday, Sept. 4, 2020

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1 – Michigan has more than 5,000 miles of hiking and biking trails. The people at Pure Michigan recently highlighted nine that they call “among the best for providing inspiring exploration.”

Those include the 30-mile Pere Marquette Rail Trail that runs from Midland to Clare.

Tourism officials describe it as a smooth, level asphalt path that crosses several creeks and rivers like the Tittabawassee. 

The Pere Marquette has been recognized as one of 25 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame trails in the United States. 

A new extension continues the trail west from Clare to Reed City.

2 – For the second year, Little Forks Conservancy is hosting an inclusive hiking group.

It’s called OUTdoors Together, and is a series of hikes for LGBTQ individuals and allies led by Andrea Foster, the conservancy’s director of programs and partnerships. 

Due to COVID-19, only 15 people will be allowed on each hike. Hikers must sign up to attend, and social distancing and safety measures will be in place. 

Leaders say the program allows the Midland-based conservancy to continue its mission of providing accessible outdoor recreation to all members of the community. 

The events are free of charge. To register, visit bitly.com/OThikes.

Hikes of various lengths and at various locations are planned for Sept. 6, Sept. 24, Oct. 2, Oct. 11 and Oct. 21. 

More information also is available at littleforks.org. 

3 – The recycling of electronic waste is booming in rural parts of Michigan. 

Folks in the north have had more convenient opportunities to recycle their electronics waste since 2019. That was when, due to demand, the state developed a recycling program for electronics waste, also called e-waste. 

In 2019, people in rural communities recycled more than 300,000 pounds of e-waste. 

And state officials says that through the first half of this year, people already have recycled about 100,000 pounds of e-waste.

The state’s e-waste program has resulted in a partnership that’s established six permanent collection sites in the Upper Peninsula, and multiple collection events.

A similar program is under development in the northern lower peninsula. 

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

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