Great Lakes Moment

Check out this monthly column by Great Lakes Now contributor John Hartig

AuthorsFeature HomepageFish, Birds and AnimalsJohn HartigLatest NewsNewsScience, Technology, Research
Great Lakes Moment: Detroit River carrion scavenger on the increase

Tens of thousands of turkey vultures glide over the Detroit River, offering citizen scientists a surprising highlight of hawk migration season.

Great Lakes Moment: Creating a U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail

A new trail system aims to connect eight states, communities and ecosystems along the world’s largest freshwater system.

Great Lakes Moment: Government downsizing, defunding and deregulating at what environmental cost?

Examining some of the recent federal environmental cuts in metro Detroit, which serves as a microcosm for the Great Lakes region.

Autoworkers’ long history of protecting our environment
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

Fifty-five years ago, autoworkers played a major role in the first Earth Day. Today, they remain committed to protecting the environment and supporting a just transition to clean, electric vehicles.

Great Lakes Moment: Detroit River common terns under threat
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

Known for their aerial acrobatics, common terns are designated as a threatened species in Michigan.

Great Lakes Moment: Rouge River oxbow enhances education at The Henry Ford
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

The oxbow’s natural shoreline along the Rouge River, once eliminated for flood control, has been restored and transformed into a vital ecological and educational resource at The Henry Ford.

Great Lakes Moment: Connecting people to nature through The Great Lakes Way
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

Creating a necklace of greenways and water trails throughout southeast Michigan.

Great Lakes Moment: Michigan’s Port of Monroe fosters a blue economy that welcomes wildlife
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

How a port that receives about 2.5 million tons of cargo is also a haven for birds at the intersection of the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways.

Great Lakes Moment: Sacred Grounds
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

Restoring habitats and supporting green infrastructure with houses of worship in Detroit.

Great Lakes Moment: Mink thriving along the Detroit River
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

Next time you are on the Detroit River, keep an eye peeled for a mink! This keystone species is now thriving along this once-polluted river.

Great Lakes Moment: Ten natural wonders of The Great Lakes Way
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

Get your bicycle or kayak ready and consider adding these close-to-home natural wonders to your Great Lakes adventure bucket list.

Operation Manoomin: Restoring Wild Rice along the Detroit River
- by John Hartig, Great Lakes Now

To reestablish the Potawatomi’s presence along the Detroit River, the local Indigenous group is interested in partnering on a project to restore wild rice in protected areas in and along the river.

Great Lakes Moment: Birds of a feather flock together

American white pelicans were considered “a rare vagrant” to Lake Erie up until 2014. Then, sightings of these fascinating waterbirds became more common.