Michigan Meanderings

Connie Maitland Artwork

The ability to visualize a new life for tired and dated items is where the artistry begins for Grand Rapids recycle artist, Connie Maitland. The materials for her artwork consist of discarded items like: jewelry, clothing, hats, household items and furniture from another era.   

"I started out painting antique mirror frames back in 2001, and then started adding jewels to some of the pieces," says Maitland, Owner of Adoorne Recreations, "I just love sparkles and glitter." ...read more about Maitland's work at

http://www.examiner.com/x-28192-Grand-Rapids-Environmental-News-Examiner

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  reported, "The (Asian) carp have steadily made their way northward up the Mississippi, becoming the most abundant species in some areas of the River. They out-compete native fish, and have caused severe hardship to the people who fish there.

Asian Carp are a significant threat to the Great Lakes because they are large, extremely prolific, and consume vast amounts of food.....reach more on this topic with comments from Michigan Sea Grant fisheries expert, Dan O'Keefe, Ph.D.  at:   http://bit.ly/60MiX5

Photo: GLFC

Fear and controversy continue to surround the giant Asian carp as they move closer to the Great Lakes. While there is no ideal solution for the problem, the question in the minds of many; Is Rotenone treatment a viable option to prevent the entry of this aggressive species into the Great Lakes? ......read what MI Sea Grant expert Dan O'Keefe has to say about the topic

Dan O'Keefe, Ph.D.

...http://bit.ly/6aTMh8

A study funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, under the direction of Alan Steinman, Ph.D, Director of Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute, is exploring The Effects of Stormwater Runoff to Little Black Creek in Muskegon County...for further details:

http://www.examiner.com/x-28192-Grand-Rapids-Environmental-News-Examiner

Photos courtesy of A. Steinman

Henry Street drain into Mona Lake before and after a rain present reason for concern

Galerucella beetle/Courtesy of Michigan Sea Grant/mMichigan State University

A far cry from creepy Halloween spiders, the Galerucella beetle is an unassuming little bug, making a big impact on many of Michigan's wetland areas...read more at:   http://www.examiner.com/x-28192-Grand-Rapids-Environmental-News-Examiner

Resources:

http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/ais/pp/index.html

http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=3047

Photo: M Rice Purple loosestrife

Courtesy of Michigan Sea Grant

The Michigan Clean Marina Program is a great example of how partnerships are supposed to work, where everybody wins.

“Partners from the public and private sector are working together in a voluntary program for improving the quality of the Great Lakes.” says Charles Pistis, Program Coordinator of the Michigan Sea Grant Extension at Michigan State University. “Marinas realize their facilities are gatekeepers and the boaters who use them each play a critical role in the environmental quality of our lakes.”

Michigan's Clean Marina Program was developed as a unique public-private partnership between the Michigan Sea Grant MSU College Program, the Michigan Boating Industries Association, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth and the University of Michigan.

“Expanding on the trend among consumers toward going green,” says Pistis, ”the Clean Marina Program is an educational component that encourages going blue for boaters and marinas.”

To receive the Clean Marina certification, marina operators work closely with members of the Michigan Sea Grant team through workshops, as well as individually. Workshop topics include: controlling pollutants, such as safety measures to prevent petrochemical spills and incorporating management practices for sewage and storm water run-off, all of which help sustain Michigan's coastal resources. The final component is a critical on-site inspection of the marina by a member of the Sea Grant team.

Courtesy of Michigan Sea Grant

“Our marina in Harbor Springs was one of the first in Michigan to receive the Clean Marina certification.” says Patrick Shirley, Facilities Manager at Harbor Springs Marina, “ It took us a full year to prepare.”

Harbor Springs Marina is owned and operated by Walstrom Marine, which also owns Cheboygan Marina and Bay Harbor. All three properties have achieved the Clean Marina designation.

“We broke down all aspects of the program and set up committees.” Shirley reported. “We would have regular meetings and our staff would bring new ideas each time we met. The process is not as daunting as it used to be. The Sea Grant team has streamlined the process a lot, so it's much easier to understand and work through.”

“We sent out a letter to all of our regular boaters asking them to join the pledge towards becoming a Clean Marina.” says Shirley. “They were fantastic and have given us a lot of ideas that we have incorporated.”

One facet of the the Michigan Sean Grant's Clean Marina Program is recycling the low density polystyrene shrink-wrap used to winterize boats. Mondo Polymer Technologies, Reno, OH, has formed partnerships with marinas across Michigan to collect and recycle their shrink-wrap.

“We have recycled roughly 200,000 pounds of shrink wrap for the 2009 season,” reported Ron Wesel, Materials Manager at Mondo Polymer Technologies.

The recycled shrink-wrap is used by Mondo in the manufacture of guard rail blocks for the transportation industry. Typically, Mondo collects the used shrink wrap between April and June.

“We are considering an extension to the pickup schedule for 2010.”, Wesel stated.

Touting the success of the program, Pistis says, “Currently there are more than thirty certified clean marinas, along with seventy-five others who have pledged towards that certification. The numbers just keep growing. The program's success is not totally up to the marinas; boaters have to be on board with good environmental practices.”

Looking ahead to 2010,. Elizabeth LaPorte, Director of Communications and Educational Services, MI Sea Grant Uof M, announced , “An on-line pilot program is set to roll out this fall, making it easier for marinas to become certified. They will still have the option of attending workshops, or they may choose to do the course work on-line,” LaPorte indicated, the on-line program is expected to be fully operational by January 2010.

It becomes a bit of a tongue-twister; the MI Sea Grant partners partner with marinas, who in turn partner with staff and their boaters, who then partner with recyclers. The end result: we are one step closer to improving the quality of our coastal waterways....and everybody wins.

For more information visit http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/cmp/index.html

ArtPrize Entry - Peace Sign In The Grand

More than an art contest with a $250,000.00 prize package, ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, was an amazing lesson in human nature. The competition drew entrants from around the globe, with a wide range of media forms. There were some breathtaking art forms, and a few that, well, just left the viewer a bit puzzled.

The real beauty was in watching the expressions on the faces of onlookers and listening to their conversations. The wide reaching appeal of this event seemed to transcend the usual age barriers. Silver-haired couples walked hand in hand, pointing out features on the pieces they saw, as did young families with toddlers in tow; all sharing a common bond. They were smiling! Spontaneous conversations with total strangers became the norm, rather than the exception, and light-hearted laughter was everywhere.

Cameras were snapping and memories captured.

The fact that some of the pieces will take up permanent residence is an added bonus for Grand Rapids. And while there may be room for a few tweaks of improvement for next year, Rick DeVos and his team deserve a heartfelt thank you for their visionary thinking and follow-through.

The peace sign constructed in the middle of the Grand River, won no major recognition, yet somehow, it seemed to speak to what was happening all around the city.

http://www.artprize.org/home

Fish Ladder Debris

Fall in Michigan is a great time to enjoy the vibrant colors of the fall leaves, bite into a crisp sweet apple and gather the perfect pumpkin for Halloween carving . Typically it is also a great time to visit a fish ladder or weir and watch the amazing climb of Coho and Chinook salmon as they make their triumphant run to spawning beds.

This year, however, the Grand Rapids Fish Ladder at the 6^th Street Dam is so packed with garbage and debris there is little activity to view. With log jams and garbage blocking the metal grates, one is left to wonder how any fish could penetrate it to enter the waters above the dam.

Maintenance of the area becomes a bit of a Catch 22. The City of Grand Rapids owns the Fish Ladder and surrounding park. The river itself falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources. The end result for the 2009 spawning season – pointing fingers and nobody got the job done.

And while the park is usually thriving in the fall with young families and grandparents with grandchildren in tow to watch the jumping fish, this year they will have to get their kicks looking at garbage and debris instead.

So, my question to you; What happens to the Coho and Chinook Salmon when they can't get through the garbage and debris at the Grand Rapids Fish Ladder?

The Frederick Meijer Garden and Sculpture Park was recently named, “One of “30 Must-See Museums Before You Die”, by Sky Magazine. In the company of greats like, The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, the designation validates the international appeal this West Michigan treasure offers.

The announcement was made this week at the 10^th Anniversary Celebration of the Leonardo Da Vinci Horse. This 24 foot high masterpiece has captured the hearts of art lovers from near and far.

http://www.meijergardens.org/

Leonardo Da Vinci's Horse

I snapped this photo at a friend's home recently.  It is similar to the springtime morels...can it be an albino version?

Mystery Mushroom