For Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 🦃

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1 – The official start of winter is less than a month away, on Thursday, Dec. 21. 

But the Pure Michigan program is already touting the beauty of the state’s natural landscapes to local and regional residents. 

Michigan has more than 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails and 3,000 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. We rank second in the nation for the total number of ski areas and resorts. 

Official say winter travel is a key contributor to Michigan’s economy. More than 125 million visitors spent $27.3 billion in Michigan in 2022. 

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2 – A recently released Fifth National Climate Assessment details harmful impacts on regions across the United States. 

The report says the Midwest is facing rising temperatures, drought, extreme precipitation and other changes. 

A fact sheet from the White House says these changes affect ecosystems, agriculture, infrastructure, and human health and livelihoods. 

The document says the Midwest has seen more than $49 billion in economic damages due to flooding since 1980. 

However, clean energy production in the region has grown by more than 275 percent over the past decade and reduced carbon emissions from the energy sector. 

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3 – Wild turkeys are thriving again in Michigan thanks to conservation efforts. 

In the early 1900s, wild turkey populations across the state were decimated due to habitat destruction and unregulated hunting. 

In the 1950s, the state Department of Natural Resources started working with partners to reintroduce wild turkeys here, starting with 50 turkeys from Pennsylvania released in Allegan County. 

In the 1980s, wild turkeys from Missouri and Iowa were released in Michigan. 

There are now 200,000 wild turkeys across the state. 

Officials say the DNR works closely with conservation organizations like the National Wild Turkey Federation and their local chapters to restore and enhance habitat that the birds need to thrive.

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

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