For Friday, June 20, 2025

1 – Local conservation and education efforts are getting a boost from the state. 

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has awarded grants totaling $600,000 to 17 watershed organizations.

Among the activities funded are outreach and educational efforts, best management practices to improve water quality, equipment and supplies, water quality monitoring, and studies of stormwater runoff. 

Among the recipients are the Bay County Soil Conservation District and the Gladwin Conservation District, each receiving about $40,000. 

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2 – Speaking of stormwater, a Great Lakes Stormwater Collaborative is putting on a summer webinar series about stormwater management. The first is June 24. 

The Collaborative aims to support best practices for stormwater management under changing climate conditions through information sharing and research. 

It was first launched in 2017 to connect local stormwater managers with technology providers. The collaborative is being rebooted to better include stormwater program managers from the U.S. and Canada. The group coordinates efforts among coastal resilience programs, Indigenous Nations, academic research institutions, local utilities and regional organizations.

The June 24 session will highlight the GSI Impact Hub, an interactive platform with resources and tools to help quantify and communicate the multiple benefits of green stormwater infrastructure. Register here.

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3 – A great day at the beach can be spoiled by pollution. 

Wildlife waste, agricultural runoff, pet manure, wastewater spills, toxic algae, and leaking septic systems can make beaches temporarily unhealthy and off-limits to the public.

So be sure to check with Beachguard before you head out. The state has launched an enhanced version of the Beachguard online notification system for closures and advisories. 

Officials say the user-friendly tool, added to an informational portal at mienviro.michigan.gov, makes it easier for the public to access beach water quality notices statewide. 

New features include:

• Options to organize data by county, ownership, or closures
• Options for viewing a map from street or satellite views
• The ability for users to sign up for and manage custom alerts.

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