For Friday, Aug. 2, 2024

1 – Get ready for Renewables Ready Communities in Michigan. 

The state has received more than $129 million to launch the program, to incentivize the permitting of renewable energy projects through local processes. 

State officials say the Renewables Ready Communities will help overcome barriers to siting renewable energy projects like solar, wind and energy storage. This is to help Michigan reach its goal of 60 percent renewable energy by 2030. 

The program includes financial incentives to local and tribal governments that approve and host utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage through local processes. 

There also are grants for renewable energy projects on brownfields, or old industrial and commercial sites. 

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2 – A new invasive plant has been added to the state’s watch list. 

It’s called lesser celandine.The designation is meant to recognize the threat that the plant poses to native habitats, and encourage people to report it when they see it. 

Lesser celandine is a low-growing perennial, most often found along streams and in forested floodplains. 

It has heart-shaped leaves and glossy yellow flowers and can be spread by seeds, underground stems and tiny bulblike structures where the leaf meets the stem. 

State natural resource officials say they hope reports by the public can help them understand the extent of the invasion. Sightings can be reported through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network at misin.msu.edu.

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3 – This month’s full moon on Monday, Aug. 19, has a Great Lakes connection. 

It’s known as the Sturgeon Moon, named after the lake sturgeon—a giant North American freshwater fish, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Sturgeon were once abundant in many Michigan lakes and rivers. But they were nearly eradicated due to overfishing and habitat loss. Restoration efforts are ongoing across the United States, including in the Saginaw Bay watershed. 

The Sturgeon Moon is also the first Supermoon of the year, meaning it will appear bigger and brighter. 

On Aug. 19 you can look toward the southeast after sunset to catch a glimpse.

– Mr. Great Lakes is heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on Delta College Public Radio 90.1 FM in University Center, Michigan, near Bay City (listen live). Follow @jeffkart on Twitter #MrGreatLakes

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