Michigan wolf surveys show stable, healthy population

by Becky Andrus | Jul 27, 2020 | Uncategorized

Share or view as webpage  |  Update preferences – DNR News – July 27, 2020 Media contact: Cody Norton, 906-202-3023 Michigan wolf surveys show stable, healthy population Recent winter survey results point to a minimum estimated Upper Peninsula population of nearly 700 wolves The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said today that the state’s wolf population has remained relatively stable over the past nine years, with the most recent survey completed this past winter. DNR Wildlife Division staff who participated in this latest survey estimate there was a minimum of 695 wolves found among 143 packs across the Upper Peninsula. Pack size has remained stable and averages just under five wolves. Dan Kennedy, acting chief of the Wildlife Division, said the DNR has surveyed wolves since 1989 when they began naturally recolonizing the U.P. “The survey is important because it helps us monitor wolf distribution and abundance, answer research questions and evaluate progress toward state and federal recovery goals,” Kennedy said. “Our survey results continue to demonstrate that Michigan’s wolf population has recovered.” The survey was conducted from December through March, before wolves had produced pups, when the population is at its lowest point in the annual cycle. “Once survey units have been identified for a given year, surveyors drive roads and trails in trucks and on snowmobiles looking for wolf tracks,” said Dean Beyer, a DNR wildlife research biologist who organizes the sampling and generates the wolf population estimate for the biennial survey. “Once they find wolf tracks, surveyors follow the tracks as long as is practical to determine the number of individual wolves that made the tracks.” The wolf survey is completed by DNR Wildlife Division and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services staff who search specific survey areas for wolf tracks and other signs of wolf activity, such as territorial marking or indications of breeding. “Surveyors try to locate adjacent packs on the same day, to ensure they are not double-counting the same wolves,” said Beyer. State and federal wildlife staff also trap wolves in the spring and outfit them with GPS collars to help determine pack boundaries. This helps determine which tracks belong to each pack during the winter survey. In 2019-2020, approximately 62% of the Upper Peninsula was surveyed. After wolves returned naturally to the U.P. through immigration from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario in the 1980s, the population rebounded remarkably over time. The pronounced long-term increase in wolf abundance is evident, despite human cause-specific mortality, such as poaching and vehicle collisions. Over the past decade, Michigan’s minimum estimate has hovered between 600 and 700 wolves, which is indicative of a stabilizing population. “Given the relatively consistent abundance estimates since 2011, it appears the wolf population has likely reached the carrying capacity of the Upper Peninsula,” said Cody Norton, a wildlife management specialist with the DNR’s bear, wolf and cougar program in Marquette. Since the winter of 1993-94, combined wolf numbers in Michigan and Wisconsin have surpassed 100 wolves, meeting one of the federally established goals for delisting wolves in the Great Lakes states. In 2004, Michigan achieved its recovery goal of a minimum sustainable population of 200 wolves for five consecutive years, and wolves were removed from the state list of threatened and endangered species in 2009. Wolves in Michigan remain a federally protected species and may be killed legally only in defense of human life. More information about Michigan’s wolf population can be found at Michigan.gov/Wolves. /Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows./ Trail cam: A DNR trail camera image, taken in August 2019, of a gray wolf in the Upper Peninsula. Bedded wolves: Two gray wolves bedded down in the snow. Taken during a previous winter’s aerial wolf survey. DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

Whitmer Extends Orders on Youth Work Permits

by Becky Andrus | Jul 27, 2020 | Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  July 27, 2020 Contact: Press@michigan.gov      Governor Whitmer Extends Executive Orders on Youth Work Permits and Electronic Notarizations   LANSING, Mich. — Governor Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-157, lifting a paperwork requirement for youth work permits that would require additional in-person interactions, and Executive Order 2020-158, which allows for business to be conducted remotely by allowing for expanded use of e-notaries and e-signatures.   “We know that the coronavirus spreads easily when people are in close contact with each other, which is why it’s important that we take measures to limit in-person contact,” Governor Whitmer said. “These executive orders will protect more people during this ongoing public health crisis by reducing unnecessary interactions, while providing a pathway for people to conduct business as usual.”   Under Executive Order 2020-157, work permits required by the Youth Employment Standards Act can be mailed, emailed, faxed or sent via the web rather than filled-out on special colored paper, as required by statute. This order takes effect immediately and continues through August 31, 2020.   Under Executive Order 2020-158, requirements for in-person notarizations are temporarily suspended and transactions that require a notary to be completed via two-way, real-time audiovisual technology are allowed. The order also permits the use of electronic signatures in all cases, except in rare circumstances when a physical signature is specifically required by statute. The order takes effect immediately and extends the validity of notary commissions through August 31, 2020.   Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.   To view the latest executive orders, click the link below:   EO 2020-157 Emerg order – youth work permit – re-issue.pdf EO 2020-158 Emerg order – notaries – re-issue.pdf

My View-Point 

by Becky Andrus | Jul 27, 2020 | Uncategorized

My View-Point  

When looking at the recent landscape of high school sports in general. Everything changed in March in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

I know people are looking to blame others particularly those who didn’t get a chance to compete for State Championships in their senior season of high school.

I do wonder that if the spring season would had been played had we had a better understanding. There were are several sports that could had been done with social distancing such as baseball, softball, tennis, golf, and track and field. Soccer could have been played as well despite the physical contact but not to the extent. The only sport that would have been concerning was lacrosse because of the physical contact.

I know there are people who need to take blame for the Class of 2020 for having their spring seasons taken away but to their defense we didn’t know much about this disease at that time but we know a lot more about it now.

There will be those who blame Governor Gretchen Whitmer and I don’t blame those who blame her. It was Whitmer who closed the schools and eventually the State shutdown in March based on “Executive Order” basically saying that we can’t have students in the schools and that it would be very difficult to have extra circular activities continue. 

Whitmer revealed her “Return to School Plan” in late June naming specific guidelines to return to school. She said that if the State is in Phases four, five, and six then schools could open up for in person instruction which includes athletics. If Whitmer returns the State back to Phase three then the schools would have online learning which nobody wants.

Online learning has its disadvantages and especially from a mental standpoint. This is where it gets murky. Some students don’t have access to the internet and the need to interact is not there. Also there is no certain timetable if students aren’t able to get their work done on time. Students also struggle mentally especially not seeing their friends and they need that interaction. Teachers also have a hard time as well not seeing their students every day. It also causes a strain on parents especially those who have to work for a living.

Whitmer has mentioned that she will send students and teachers to school when it is safe to do so.

In Whitmer’s plan there are several conferences that are in different regions of her plan which poses problems. The NFHS guidelines state that they want schools to play close and to limit travel. It doesn’t affect the OAA too much (all schools in Oakland County) or the Macomb Area Conference with all their schools in one region in four counties (Oakland, Macomb Wayne, and St. Clair) but conferences like the Saginaw Valley League in which their schools are in three regions with four counties (Isabella County which has Mount Pleasant is in Grand Rapids region while Genesee and Lapeer counties are in the Detroit region and the rest of the schools are in the Saginaw region.)  The Greater Thumb Conference has two teams that aren’t in the Saginaw region in Memphis and Yale. The Flint Metro League has one school that’s in a different region in Corunna that’s in Shiawassee County which is in the Lansing region and the Ottawa Kent Conference in which their schools are in three different regions with the majority of the west side counties. Every school district and most leagues will have problems with Whitmer’s regional plan. Her regional plan could force leagues to break up or force schools to create new leagues based off travel.

This virus has taken so much away from our daily lives. Student development can’t be done online. There has to have a form of inclusion. People meeting people, it can be done safely. 

Maybe it’s time to trust each other a little bit more.

When looking at the recent landscape of high school sports in general. Everything changed in March in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

I know people are looking to blame others particularly those who didn’t get a chance to compete for State Championships in their senior season of high school.

I do wonder that if the spring season would had been played had we had a better understanding. There were are several sports that could had been done with social distancing such as baseball, softball, tennis, golf, and track and field. Soccer could have been played as well despite the physical contact but not to the extent. The only sport that would have been concerning was lacrosse because of the physical contact.

I know there are people who need to take blame for the Class of 2020 for having their spring seasons taken away but to their defense we didn’t know much about this disease at that time but we know a lot more about it now.

There will be those who blame Governor Gretchen Whitmer and I don’t blame those who blame her. It was Whitmer who closed the schools and eventually the State shutdown in March based on “Executive Order” basically saying that we can’t have students in the schools and that it would be very difficult to have extra circular activities continue. 

Whitmer revealed her “Return to School Plan” in late June naming specific guidelines to return to school. She said that if the State is in Phases four, five, and six then schools could open up for in person instruction which includes athletics. If Whitmer returns the State back to Phase three then the schools would have online learning which nobody wants.

Online learning has its disadvantages and especially from a mental standpoint. This is where it gets murky. Some students don’t have access to the internet and the need to interact is not there. Also there is no certain timetable if students aren’t able to get their work done on time. Students also struggle mentally especially not seeing their friends and they need that interaction. Teachers also have a hard time as well not seeing their students every day. It also causes a strain on parents especially those who have to work for a living.

Whitmer has mentioned that she will send students and teachers to school when it is safe to do so.

In Whitmer’s plan there are several conferences that are in different regions of her plan which poses problems. The NFHS guidelines state that they want schools to play close and to limit travel. It doesn’t affect the OAA too much (all schools in Oakland County) or the Macomb Area Conference with all their schools in one region in four counties (Oakland, Macomb Wayne, and St. Clair) but conferences like the Saginaw Valley League in which their schools are in three regions with four counties (Isabella County which has Mount Pleasant is in Grand Rapids region while Genesee and Lapeer counties are in the Detroit region and the rest of the schools are in the Saginaw region.)  The Greater Thumb Conference has two teams that aren’t in the Saginaw region in Memphis and Yale. The Flint Metro League has one school that’s in a different region in Corunna that’s in Shiawassee County which is in the Lansing region and the Ottawa Kent Conference in which their schools are in three different regions with the majority of the west side counties. Every school district and most leagues will have problems with Whitmer’s regional plan. Her regional plan could force leagues to break up or force schools to create new leagues based off travel.

This virus has taken so much away from our daily lives. Student development can’t be done online. There has to have a form of inclusion. People meeting people, it can be done safely. 

Maybe it’s time to trust each other a little bit more.

Tips for getting your kids to save energy

by Becky Andrus | Jul 22, 2020 | Uncategorized

Whether your child is barely tall enough to reach the light switch or you have a teenager living in their own world, it can often be a challenge to get kids to save energy. But the monetary and environmental consequences of wasting energy is an important lesson for kids of all ages to learn.

So, how can you attract your child’s interest in energy consumption? SaveOnEnergy has a few tips to help parents steer their children toward becoming energy savers in no time.

Set a good example. Children emulate their parents’ behavior. If you constantly adjust the heat rather than put on a sweater, leave the lights on all over the house or stand with the refrigerator door open while deciding on a snack, you can’t expect your children to do the opposite. Instead, take the time to research easy ways to save energy and follow your own advice. Your kids will take notice and start following your lead.

Start early. Even before your youngsters are tall enough to reach the light switch, you can tell them why saving energy is important. Young children love a running commentary, so while you’re taking a short shower or cooking efficiently in the kitchen, you can explain what you’re doing and why. You can also ask them for “help” – lift them up to turn off the light switch or have them push a door closed for you. By educating your kids early in life, they will grow up knowing how to conserve energy and why it’s important.

Read about recycling, conservation efforts, and saving gas, electricity and water. Many children’s books tackle the difficult topic of climate change in terms they can understand. Whether it’s teaching them to sort recyclable items or the benefits of shorter showers, your local library can help you teach your children all about saving energy.

Start a mantra. If the book your daughter reads says she can save the polar bears by turning off the computer and lights when not in use, explain new things as they come up that can also help “save the polar bears.” When your child becomes interested in an environmental topic, be sure to encourage them to learn more about what they can do to help. They’ll quickly learn that their energy habits around the house can have impacts around the world.

Put each child in charge of something. Your son may be in charge of making sure the lights are out before everyone leaves the house and your daughter may be in charge of making sure everyone recycles paper instead of throwing it away. This makes them feel they’re part of the solution – and they will probably enjoy getting to remind their parents of the rules every once in a while! This is also a great way to get your older kids involved in energy savings. The habits they forge today will stick with them throughout adulthood.

Begin taking family walks. If you’re planning a trip to the ice cream shop down the street, why not walk instead of drive? Not only will family walks allow you to spend quality time together, but you can also discuss the environmental and fiscal importance of saving gas. You could even schedule a walk dedicated to picking up litter or finding new flowers.

Keep computers and charging equipment in main rooms, not bedrooms. Your kids’ phone chargers and laptops don’t need to be plugged in all the time – that leads to vampire energy use. By keeping these devices in the kitchen or family room, you can keep a better eye on how much energy they are consuming.

Attach a list of snacks to the refrigerator door. If your kids always come home from school and stand in front of an open refrigerator, make them stop and think before they touch the door. An up-to-date list of what is inside the fridge will help everyone think about what they want before they waste energy standing in front of an open door. Also, take the time to explain why it’s important to keep the refrigerator door closed. When the cold air gets out, the fridge uses more energy to keep the inside at the right temperature. Understanding why this habit saves energy will help them remember to stick to it even when you aren’t around.

Use a timer for the shower. No matter your age, it can be easy to lose track of time in the shower. Encourage your teens to set a timer the next time they shower so they know exactly how long the water was running. For younger kids, you can set the timer on your phone and tell them afterwards. Reducing shower time by just a minute or two every couple of days can ease them into a new, shorter routine.

Give incentives. If all else fails, bribe them. Make a deal that if your child meets a certain goal, he or she gets extra time for something special or can pick the movie that night. Having something to look forward to can do wonders for children’s attitudes. We won’t judge you!