For Friday, April 4, 2025

1 – The federal government is giving people more time to comment on a proposal to list the iconic monarch butterfly as threatened.

The comment period was due to close in March but has been reopened until May 19. 

Officials say public comments are an integral part of listing the butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and designating habitat for the species at its overwintering grounds in coastal California.

Threats to the orange and black-colored butterflies include loss and degradation of habitat along with insecticides and climate change.

According to the most recent assessment, the probability of extinction for eastern monarchs ranges from 56-74 percent by 2080.

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2 – You can learn how to contribute to community science by monitoring for endangered piping plovers and changes along the Lake Huron shoreline.

Staff from the nonprofit Huron Pines in Gaylord will share details about upcoming volunteer Coast Watchers and Piping Plover Monitoring programs at an April 15 online info session.

The session will include a rundown of the expectations, responsibilities and time commitment involved with each program. 

In-person trainings will follow on April 19 for Coast Watchers and May 2 for Piping Plover Monitors.

Organizers say the programs support the Lake Huron Forever initiative, an international effort to advance water quality protection and sustainability on both sides of the lake. 

Registration is required to hear more about the monitoring programs. See HuronPines.org.

3 – Here’s an interesting electric vehicle tidbit from the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association.

The association notes that utilities in Michigan can’t stand in the way of residents using a Ford electric vehicle to keep their lights on during power outages. 

Ford offers a home backup power system with its all-electric Lightning truck.  

The Michigan Public Service Commission ruled, at Ford’s request, that owners of the EVs don’t need written permission from utilities before using the technology. 

That’s because the tech works independently from a utility’s distribution system.

Written permission is frequently needed with home power sources that interact with the grid, like residential solar. 

You can read the decision online at the Public Service Commission website. 

– 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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