IN THIS EPISODE:
In this episode of Great Lakes Now, fighting wildfires with centuries-old practices, why rainfall is getting more intense, and the story of snow mobiles, then and now.
When to Watch?
Check your local station for when Great Lakes Now is on in your area.
Wildfires are getting worse. Can an old technique help control them?
SEGMENT 1 | TWIN CITIES, MN; PESHTIGO, WI; CHICAGO, IL
Although wildfires are commonly associated with the West, the Great Lakes region has seen its share of destructive blazes. Lee Frelich, director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology, warns that we will likely see more wildfires due to heat waves and droughts caused by climate change.
Vern Northrup is a former fireman and is a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe. He says that the Ojibwe have long recognized the importance of fire in forest management. Could their practices and land management strategies help curb the risk of future wildfires?
Intense rainfall means more floods. What can we do?
SEGMENT 2 | GREAT LAKES WATERSHED
Who Invented Snowmobiles? And Why Aren’t They Selling?
SEGMENT 3 | GREAT LAKES WATERSHED
A century ago, Carl Eliason from Sayner, Wisconsin, combined a motor, engine, and snow skis to create the first modern snowmobile. Originally called the Eliason Motor Toboggan, his invention gave rise to an entire powersports market. His granddaughter, Jona Eliason, shares his story and the impact of his creation.
While many in the Great Lakes region look forward to riding every winter, recent years have seen a decline in demand for snowmobiles. Two manufacturers, Arctic Cat and Yamaha, have gotten out of the business entirely. Michigan Public’s Tyler Scott explores the recent struggles of the snowmobile industry and hobby.
On April 24, 2025, it was announced that former Arctic Cat executive Brad Darling, along with an investment group, purchased Arctic Cat with the intention of continuing snowmobile manufacturing. Lakeland PBS covered the story here: https://lptv.org/textron-sells-trf-based-arctic-cat-to-former-executive-investment-group/
The Fitzgerald’s Legacy and the Power of Tugs
Learn why shipwrecks stopped after the Edmund Fitzgerald and board a century-old tugboat.
Lost Ships and Newsworthy Trees
Explore shipwreck sanctuaries and a forest that fueled a media empire.
Casting Lines and Listening In
Researchers eavesdrop on forests, fishing for lake trout and the rights of nature.
Rescuing Freighters and Busting Swamps
A freighter takes on water in Lake Superior and a lawsuit over farming on wetlands.
Sturgeon Streams and Plastic Pollution
Restoring a threatened fish species and a look at microplastics in the Great Lakes.
Battling Invaders and Exploring Hidden Habitats
Fighting phragmites, lakebed mapping and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Killer Trees and Sacred Waters
How trees are fighting back against the emerald ash borer and restoring a sacred lake.
Too Many Geese and Not Enough Mussels
Managing Canada geese, saving freshwater mussels, and an Ojibwe lens on the fur trade.
Oil Spills and Buried Rivers
Preparing for a Great Lakes oil spill and a look at buried rivers beneath our feet.
Freighters on the Move
Freighter food, mail delivery, and the life of a Great Lakes freighter pilot.
Deep Dives and Rising Waters
The future of rising lake levels, Great Lakes shipwrecks, and the secret lives of fish.
Old Boats and New Adventures
Heritage sailing on Lake Huron and a historic passenger ship returns to its former glory.
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