Michigan snow is wilting under a heat wave (highs in the 50s and heavy rains overnight). This is the "precurser post". Tomorrow will be the first official post...



Lake Michigan Intervention Causes Problems
The Holland Sentinel reports that Lake Michigan has been engineered by humans into a system focused on producing maximum numbers of sport fish, most of which are not native to its waters. Now there is mounting evidence the lake could be on the brink of "ecosystem shock," a food chain collapse caused by the nonstop invasion of foreign species.

Michigan Stocks Outperform the National Average
The Detroit News reports that Michigan stocks outperformed the Dow Jones Industrial Average for the second straight year despite the state's sluggish economy. The story also reports that "After four years of job losses, the Michigan economy is expected to add more than 49,000 jobs in 2005, the start of a two-year job recovery that will add 130,000 jobs in the state, according to the University of Michigan's annual economic forecast."

Ban Ocean Going Vessels from the Great Lakes?
The Detroit Free Press reports that organisms carried across the Atlantic Ocean in freighters' ballast water account for almost 80% of the nearly 180 invasive species in the Great Lakes. While scientists from the EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seem in favor, "Shipping industry officials warned that the economic impact of such a drastic move could hurt Midwest industries that rely on foreign goods, including steel used by Detroit's automakers. Roughly 3,000 vessels carrying 40 million tons of cargo pass through the canal annually."

Michigan Cougar Comeback
The Detroit Free Press reports that while a cougar has not been captured in Michigan for nearly a century, evidence is mounting that they may be making a comeback. Cougars reportedly were spotted in the summer in Monroe and Macomb counties. By fall, reports of big cat sightings surfaced in western Wayne and northern Oakland counties as well. (Not to mention many reports from Northern Michigan)
Cougar Thoughts discussion forum

New MSU Extension Field Guide
The Detroit Free Press reports that a new book from MSU Extension will be will help gardeners and others become more familiar with Michigan's native plants and habitats. The book, Michigan Forest Communities: A Field Guide and Reference is written by MSU Forestry professor Don Dickmann.
Order Michigan Forest Communities from MSU Extension

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