environment

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters to report their deer harvest online.

The DNR uses the information to manage the state’s deer population. While not required, the DNR highly encourages voluntary reporting.

Those who choose to report will need to give their hunting license number, date of birth, what season you are hunting in, such as archery or firearm, and date of harvest. Hunters will also need to know the county in which the deer was taken, the deer management unit where you were hunting, and whether the deer was antlered or antlerless, and how many points an antlered deer has.

The DNR also asks for the location of the harvest, but keeps that information private and used for their statistical purposes only. No one has to share their top-secret hunting spot.

For those who report their harvest, they can get a DNR Deer Patch from a deer check station. They will just need to show their harvest report confirmation number.

A link to the Michigan DNR’s Harvest Reporting website can be found below.

https://www.mdnr-elicense.com/harvestreport

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Halloween has come and gone, the good candy has been pilfered from the treat bags, and the pumpkins might be headed for the trash can. Not so fast, says the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

What to do with those slowly rotting jack-o-lanterns is a perennial question around this time of year. EGLE encourages people to compost pumpkins to reduce the amount of waste in landfills and to help nourish the soil.

EGLE recommends starting your own compost heap if possible and using it year-round to recycle food and garden scraps into rich soil. If that’s not possible, they recommend seeking out community composting options.

Aaron Hiday, statewide composting coordinator at EGLE, is encouraging composting for both individual households and communities.

Compost bins can be purchased at home improvement stores or can be constructed with things like old pallets and scrap wood.

Donating pumpkins to a farm with livestock could be an option as well, as most local livestock, like cows, sheep, horses, and chickens love pumpkins.

Visit the links below to learn about composting facilities in St. Clair County and state-wide.

https://recyclesearch.com/profile/michigan-directory/places?q=food+scraps

https://www.stclaircounty.org/offices/landfill/recycle_cmpstdrop.aspx

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

In an attempt to keep invasive plant pests and plant diseases at bay, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is proposing an Exterior Firewood Quarantine and is inviting public comments. 

The proposed exterior firewood quarantine would mean that firewood can’t be shipped into Michigan unless it is heat-treated. Kiln-dried lumber, wood chips smaller than one inch, and wood shipped directly to mills for immediate processing would be exempt from the quarantine. 

Mike Philip, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director explained the reason for the proposal, saying, “Harmful invasive species, some of which are invisible to the naked eye, can hide in or on firewood. While most cannot move too far on their own, these pests and diseases can be transported undetected on traveler’s firewood, starting new infestations in locations hundreds of miles away.” 

Philip said, “These infestations can be devastating and pose a serious threat to Michigan’s agriculture, natural resources and the environment.”

Members of the public interested in providing feedback on this proposed quarantine can submit their comments to Mike Bryan, MDARD Export and Compliance Specialist by emailing BryanM@Michigan.gov. The deadline for comments is Friday, November 19, 2021. Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Invasives and on MDARD’s plant pest quarantine webpage.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Help is available for low-income Michigan residents who need help winterizing their homes. It might still feel like summer, but winter is on its way, and along with it, high heating costs. Winterization can help reduce household energy costs.

Blue Water Community Action is the provider of the winterization service in St. Clair County. Those who sign up for the program will have trained energy auditors use energy audit software and advanced diagnostic equipment to create a comprehensive energy analysis of their homes.

After analysis, the most cost-effective ways to reduce heating costs are then determined and trained contractors install the energy-efficient health and safety improvements. Examples of improvements are insulation, air sealing, lighting upgrades, and water-saving measures. Safety issues like CO2 exposure, ventilation problems, and system efficiency are also addressed. Improved health outcomes like reduced asthma triggers have been attained with the program.

There are income eligibility requirements and homes must be in adequate condition to handle the upgrades.

Anyone interested in applying for the Weatherization Assistance Program can contact their local provider. 

More information about home energy savings can be found by visiting the websites below that cover:

Air Sealing your home. 

Energy Efficiency Tips from Consumers Energy. 

The Energy Saver Guide from Energy.gov. 

Twenty-five Quick and Easy Energy Saving Tips from Direct Energy. 

Energy Efficiency Tips for Renters and Homeowners from Energy.gov.

Training for those working in the Weatherization Assistance Program is provided by the Michigan Training and Education Center. For more information about the training, visit www.MichiganTEC.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland