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The turtles of Oakland County
Dinosaurs, lizards, and turtles all roamed the Earth some 200 million years ago. Although dinosaurs became extinct, the other two survived and still inhabit the planet. Turtles are more prevalent in warmer climates, with 357 known species worldwide, 10 of which call Michigan home. This diverse array of turtles is vital to the ecosystem, spanning wetlands, lakes, rivers, and streams. They serve as “garbage collectors” and play an essential role in the food chain, providing be


Private residential water wells
Michigan has over one million private residential wells, serving an estimated 2.6 million people, comprising about 30 percent of all residents, according to the state. In Oakland County alone there are an estimated 100,000 private residential wells.


Biosolids fertilizer – more concern
During the early 1990s farmers across the nation, as well as in Michigan, began applying biosolids – fertilizer sludge produced from human waste processed at wastewater treatment facilities – to farmland where produce for humans and animals were grown.


Patrolling Oakland lakes for safety
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit will once again be patrolling Oakland County’s lakes this summer, but a tight budget means stretched resources to cover its more than 450 navigable lakes.


Testing the county beach waters
Summer in Michigan means getting to the lake for fun in the sun – fishing, swimming, relaxing and soaking up the short summer season rays of sunshine on your favorite beach.


Pollinator population threatened
With the heralding of summer comes the pressure to have the greenest, most weed and pest-free lawn in the neighborhood. As early as March, our suburban subdivisions are abuzz with lawn and garden contractors.


Natural indicators of healthy lakes
The song of the American bullfrog echoes across a muggy, Michigan summer night. The flight of the dragonfly across gentle splashing waves and the annual mayfly swarm fills the afternoon gentle breeze. The dance of otters, the laziness of turtles sunning themselves as the ever so majestic loons dive for their dinner and sing their songs to gather their mates.


Dealing with problem geese
A new statewide program that allows for the capture and euthanasia of Canada geese for qualified applicants has animal rights advocates questioning The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) while giving property owners additional routes for the removal of nuisance geese.


Lead emissions from Oakland airport
The United States banned leaded gasoline beginning with cars made in 1975. During this time, the nascent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which had just been founded in 1970 under the Clean Air Act, ruled that leaded fuel posed health hazards for humans, especially in brain development of fetuses, infants and young children. The last gallon of leaded gasoline was pumped into the last car by January 1, 1996. As a result, there was a dramatic decrease in ambient lead leve


Algae in the local lakes
Algae – simple plants that live in oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds and even moist soil – is both beneficial and harmful and thrives in every…


Testing fish for consumption
State agencies test fish for contaminants regularly at Michigan’s inland lakes, streams and rivers. However, experts say the inability…


Inspecting Oakland restaurants
When the late Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson would eat out at Oakland County restaurants and other food institutions inspected


Stratification
Unbeknownst to many Michigan residents, a large percentage of our lakes go through a transformative process every year that is both natural…


Private v Public
Spend enough time around the waterways of Oakland County and it’s only a question of when you hear someone use a popular misnomer as they…


Fish stocking
Fishing in Michigan is big business. And that’s no fish tale. In both commercial and recreational industries, billions of dollars are…


Maintaining lake levels
After a massive rain, the Edenville Dam in mid Michigan broke on May 19, 2020. The catastrophic event damaged thousands of homes and…


Monitoring lake quality from space
On August 2, 2014, nearly half a million people in Toledo, Ohio, woke to ominous news: Do not turn on your tap. The water supply was not…


Oakland County watersheds
Most people, it’s safe to assume, have no real understanding of watersheds and the critical role they play in the quality of water we rely…


Concerns about septic systems
The need to have our septic systems inspected and tested isn't something most of us like to think about typically until or unless something…


Battling invasive species
Michigan prides itself on tourism from its natural beauty but some visitors are unwelcome. Invasive species, both plants and animals, have…
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