For Friday, Aug. 1, 2025

1 – The 30th annual Saginaw Bay Waterfowl & Outdoor Festival is this weekend at the Bay City State Park. 

The festival, on Saturday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Aug. 3, is meant to highlight the bay’s world-class migratory destinations, the sport of waterfowl hunting, and wetland conservation. 

More than 30 vendors will be on hand, including conservation groups, waterfowl hunting artisans and outfitters. 

Food trucks and activities for kids are included, with the festival running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. You need a Recreation Passport to drive into the park. 

A state Department of Natural Resources official says the bay region attracts tens of thousands of migratory birds each year. Visitors to the festival can experience dog retriever trials, duck species identification, and duck and goose calling competitions. 

Kids can build their own wood duck boxes, give duck calling a try, and learn about survival and outdoor skills.

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2 – The once-endangered Kirtland’s warbler isn’t doing so well these days. 

A 2025 census of the songbird indicates a decline in the global population, from 2,245 breeding pairs in 2021 to 1,489 breeding pairs this year. Michigan is home to 98% of the birds. 

But state and federal officials and nonprofit groups say they know what’s behind the drop. They’re undertaking a long-term plan to stabilize the population. 

One reason behind the decline is reduced habitat. 

The ground-nesting Kirtland’s warber relies exclusively on young jack pine forests to breed. But there aren’t enough young pine stands available, due in part to decades-old trees in management areas that aren’t commercially marketable for clearcutting. 

Government agencies plan to adjust a tree harvesting strategy to create more breeding sites in designated management areas. 

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3 – Lawmakers advocating for the Great Lakes have a new tool, a statistics hub launched by the Northeast-Midwest Institute. 

The nonprofit group at NEMW.org has compiled information on  population, dimension, and the contribution of the lakes to regional economies, including the fishing and agriculture industries. 

Some fast facts: The total economic output from fishing is $4.9 billion; with 1.4 million total anglers; 33,500 jobs created; $1.8 billion in wages; and more than $718 million in tax revenues. 

– 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