For Friday, Nov. 22, 2024
1 – Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has become a hotspot for rare owl sightings this fall, including the first burrowing owl spotted at Whitefish Point since 1986.
A northern hawk owl was spotted there a few weeks later.
State experts say the burrowing owl may have been displaced by Hurricane Helene, while the hawk owl’s appearance signals the annual movement of birds escaping colder northern habitats.
These rare visitors have drawn crowds of birders, and people are encouraged to follow best practices for birding. That includes keeping a respectful distance, not sharing the locations of rare birds and not using drones for filming.
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2 – Michigan is diving into sustainability efforts with several businesses joining a “100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge.”
Fishery businesses in Highland Park, Suttons Bay, Mackinaw City and Munising are among those leading the charge to make sure no part of a fish goes to waste.
Instead of tossing leftover parts, they’re turning fish parts that are often discarded into products like compost, collagen and even leather.
The pledge is a push by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers to rethink how we use fish, support rural communities and build a greener future for the Great Lakes region.
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3 – How did you celebrate America Recycles Day?
The observance was officially on November 15. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan’s recycling rate is at an all-time high for the third consecutive year, putting us on track to achieve a 30% recycling goal by 2029.
According to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the state’s recycling rate has risen from 14.25 percent before 2019 to more than 23 percent now.
During fiscal year 2023, Michigan residents recycled more than 703,000 tons of materials.
That equates to every person in the state recycling 140 pounds of stuff like cardboard boxes, milk cartons, soup cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars.
– 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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Mr Great Lakes 