For Friday, July 20, 2025

1 – There’s a statewide Michigan the Beautiful initiative. 

It aims to conserve, connect and restore at least 30 percent of Michigan’s waters and lands by 2030 to meet state climate goals and ensure a thriving, more resilient landscape.

State officials say the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is working with The Nature Conservancy on the effort. 

Last year, partners traveled across the state to gather insights on regional needs. 

This work is being factored into a “Pathways” report by the DNR to foster future assessments and monitoring.

Officials say the conservation of aquatic and wetland ecosystems will be crucial to meeting Michigan the Beautiful objectives.

…

2 – Wild turkeys are being tallied. 

Starting this month and continuing through Aug. 31, the state is running its third annual wild turkey brood survey. 

It’s a community science effort for people statewide to report sightings of wild turkeys and turkey broods (aka hens with their young). By taking just a few minutes to report any turkeys you see, officials say you’ll be contributing valuable data to track the health of the state’s turkey population.

A link to the survey page is available online at Michigan.gov/Turkey.

…

3 – Old solar panels are getting a second life in Michigan, as noted by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. 

Second Life Solar is the name of an effort funded by a state grant. Second Life Solar seeks to divert unwanted solar panels from landfills and direct them to reuse or recycling. 

The nonprofit Michigan Energy Options is helping find and procure panels. 

Consulting firm D2Solar will be installing panels and batteries at urban farms throughout Detroit to power refrigeration and lighting. 

– 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