The Return of Eagles, Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons

The Return of Eagles, Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons

In 1962 Norm Spring read Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.  He wondered how anyone could read the book and not do something about the harm DDT was causing to the environment. He was living right across the street from Central Park at the time and the city of Grand Haven, Michigan would spray the elm trees for Dutch Elm disease with DDT.  He was told he could move his car, but along with his wife he had two small children and the house and places where the young children played would be coated with DDT.  The problem was DDT did not kill the elm beetle. it soaked into the ground and everyone could see robins trembling in their death throes in the grass.  The spray washed down the streets and into the storm drains so DDT entered Lake Michigan where it was caught up in food chains.  The fish became highly contaminated with DDT.

 Fish eating birds such as the American Bald Eagle were affected since their eggs became thin and cracked as a result of DDT and did not hatch.  Norm went to every meeting of the Grand Haven City Council for three years and finally the Grand Haven City Council agreed to stop their DDT program.

People came from a nearby city and asked “How did you do that?” and together they formed the Michigan Pesticides Council that met at Michigan State University.  Among the members were:  Norm Spring, chairman, Joan Wolfe, ornithologists Dr. Ted Black, Dr. George Wallace, Dr. John Kitchel,  Charles Schick, Ann Van Lente, , Joseph Kleiman, Theodore Carbine.  Due to their work DDT and like pesticides were banned in Michigan in 1972 and then the ban went nation wide and Canada followed.

Today the Eagles, Ospreys and Peregrine Falcons have returned to the shores of the Great Lakes, the United States and Canada because the democratic process worked.

Norm was inducted into The Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame in 2014 for his work on behalf of the environment.

 Think Globally and Act Locally.

Kite Boarding on Lake Michigan

Kite boarders enjoy the windy weather on Lake Michigan. Right now the south pier in Grand Haven is off limits due to construction.

Water color by Barbara Spring

Ice Starting to Form on Lake Michigan

Ice is starting to form along the shore of Lake Michigan.  Pictured is the beach at Grand Haven, Michigan.  Ice formation here usually starts on Thanksgiving, but due to the warmth of the water, the ice is late this year, but now it has started to form with the colder weather.  Read about ice formation in my book, The Dynamic Great Lakes available at Amazon.com, bn.com and many other bookstores such as the Bookman in Grand Haven, Schuler Books and Music etc.

Lake Michigan video

Lake Michigan and one sea gull reflected in the wet sand as waves roll in. 

In the distance the pier with its lighthouse marks the channel where the Grand River flows into Lake Michigan.

I have canoed the Grand River and I have seen the places where fish lurk. I have seen them rise to the surface and splash down.  I have sailed and fished in Lake Michigan as well as the other Great Lakes.

Read about the Great Lakes and their living webs of life in The Dynamic Great Lakes, a non-fiction book available on the www and in bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, Schuler Books and Music, The Bookman and many other places.

In Grand Haven MI There will be a Salmon Festival

Grand Haven Salmon Festival

Friday, September 16th is the Fresh Catch Fish Boil from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Enjoy a traditional Salmon Fish Boil, live music, and more. $10 for Adults & $5 children. It's a great family event put on by the Grand Haven Sons of American Legion!

Grand Haven Salmon Festival - Grand Haven CVB

www.visitgrandhaven.com

Grand Haven Salmon Festival September 16-18, 2011 21+ID Required for Wine/Beer Tasting Events

Boating & Fishing on Lake Michigan

All  sorts of water sports make Grand Haven on Lake Michigan a lively place in the summer.  People love to stroll on the pier where the Grand River flows into Lake Michigan.  Fishing from the pier or from boats is popular as is sailing.

Read more about the Great Lakes and what lies under the water in my book, The Dynamic Great Lakes.
I will be at the Norton Shores, Michigan Barnes & Noble store on July 23 at 11 a.m. to chat about our wonderful Great Lakes and sign books.

Alternative Energy a Success in Grand Haven, MI

Grand Haven Tribune by Alex Doty


After a year-long study, Grand Haven Board of Light & Power officials are now looking at the results of the organic diesel fuel tests.

The BLP contracted with Muskegon-based Alternative Energy Solutions (AES) to produce and test an organic diesel created from local sources such as restaurant waste oils, soy, canola and algae. The project was made possible by a $66,680 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

BLP Director of Production Dan Bush said the project, which was made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, has proven its value.

“AES is now competing in the diesel fuel market as the cost of retail diesel fuel climbs to the $3.50 to $4 per gallon price,” Bush said. “The BLP and its employees are pleased to participate in this project and in helping America reduce its dependency on foreign oil.”

During the course of the grant period, AES delivered more than 8,000 gallons of fuel to the diesel plant.

“Advantages of this biofuel alternative energy product include low investment, on-demand electricity — and a community fuel source that is independent of fuel reserves, foreign oil volatility and weather variables,” Bush said.

The Answer is Blowing in the Wind

Here is an excellent explanation of wind power in the Great Lakes.  It's 12 minutes long and well worth watching.