Conservation

Fighting invasive species on one island led to plan for all

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Researchers recently laid out a strategy to show people how to rid Great Lakes islands of invasive plants and animals. “We always felt that the state wasn’t going to ride in on a white horse and solve all of our problems because we are in the middle of Lake Michigan,” said Pamela Grassmick, who started a grassroots educational campaign to treat invasive species on northern Beaver Island. It inspired scientists to develop a defense against invasive species that can be replicated at other islands. Michigan has 1,709 islands, but 14 comprise 90% of the state’s entire island area. By Helen Korneffel.

Conservation

Fish guts show changes on the Lake Huron menu

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A bird leg, a Coke label and hundreds of pounds of gobies and alewives are among the contents of more than 3,000 fish stomachs examined by Michigan State University researchers. The study was done with the help of the anglers who caught the fish and donated their stomachs. Editors note: lots of images for a possible photo spread accompany this story. By Michaela Kratofil.

Environment

Wasp recruited in Michigan battle against stink bugs

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Sometimes you have to fight invasive species with invasive species. That’s the idea behind raising and releasing the non-native samurai wasps into Michigan’s environment to battle the brown marmorated stink bug, a pest that if left unchecked could destroy a significant number of the state’s crops. By Andrew Blok.

Conservation

Isle Royale squirrels may have swum from mainland

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Isle Royale may be biologically less isolated and more connected than scientists believed. A new DNA study of its thriving red squirrel population discovered that it’s not a unique subspecies as long thought, but is related to mainland squirrels as far away as Labrador. It may have swum or crossed an ice bridge or have been introduced by humans. The results are important because they show “how dynamic and connected this island is with the mainland.” An Isle Royale National Park wildlife biologist explains. By Eric Freedman.

Arts & Entertainment

Watch Focal Point: EEE Virus in Michigan, Governor Whitmer cuts funding For Pure Michigan commercials and more

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On this edition of Focal Point, EEE continues to spread through the state as government takes action with aerial pesticide treatments. Also, Governor Whitmer vetos a plan for millions in funding towards the Pure Michigan commercials. Plus, the MSU Surplus Store features a pretty unique item for sale. In sports, Spartan Football went on the road to face the Buckeyes in Columbus, a blacked-out night game. In entertainment, The Addams Family, Joker, and more hit the box office.

Capital News Service

Tagging fish with #fisHER

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A Twitter hashtag featuring photos of women with the fish they catch has caught on in the Great Lakes region. It’s more evidence of efforts to reel in more women anglers, including in Michigan. A Michigan Technological University survey says numbers are rising. By Weiting Du.

Conservation

The dose is in the bite: silent effects of parasitic sea lamprey

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The parasitic sea lamprey kill a lot of lake trout in the Great Lakes, and those that survive the attack suffer long-lasting damage. Michigan State University researchers found that, even a year after an attack, lamprey victims produce much less sperm than those that haven’t been attacked. The severity of the wound influences the magnitude of health consequences. By Michaela Kratofil