According to the Michigan DNR website,

"Michigan is home to 13 native species of anurans (frogs and toads). In recent years, many observers have been concerned with the apparent rarity, decline, and/or population die-offs of several of these species. This concern was not only for the species themselves, but also for the ecosystems on which they depend. Frogs and toads, like many other aquatic organisms are sensitive to changes in water quality and adjacent land use practices, and their populations undoubtedly serve as an index to environmental quality."

"The Michigan Frog and Toad Survey was initiated in 1988 to increase our knowledge of anuran abundance and distribution and to monitor populations over the long term."

Frogs & toads can be beneficial to humans. "Adult frogs and toads feed largely on insects, and destroy vast numbers of insect pests every year. It has been estimated, for example, that a single Cricket Frog an increasingly rare species in Michigan can consume about 4800 insects in one year. A hundred frogs would thus eat about 480,000 insects, a thousand frogs perhaps 4.8 million insects, and so on."

Click here to learn more from the DNR about the Frog-Man connection.


You'll want to take a look at these amazing frog photos:

Michigan in Pictures has a close-up photo of a Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor). Featured photographer Paul Wrobel writes:

"These little guys change colors depending on their surroundings and the temperature. Here he is just starting to change from gray to green."

Also check out this EyE-CaTcHeR photo by Beautiful??Things of a frog "helping" a mouse navigate through the floodwaters of Indiana! Who knew?

To learn more about these anurans, click here for results of keyword search 'frog' on Great Lakes Radio Consortium Story Archives

Meteorologist Bill Steffen writes:

"Seventy years ago we had the hottest summer in U.S. history. On July 13, 1936 - Grand Rapids had it's warmest day ever with a high of 108. If you look at the highest temperatures ever recorded in each of the 50 states, you'll find that 13 were set in 1936 and still stand 70 years later"

Read The Heat Wave of 1936. It might just make you rest easier this weekend.

Click here for results of keyword search 'temperature' on Great Lakes Radio Consortium Story Archives

Demetrius Clark writes about a research tool available through the New York Time online that "lets you search its archives back to 1851 with a couple simple clicks.", a handy thing to have when trying to gather geneological information.

Read Research tool: the New York Times online. Also take time to read some of this entries about his ancestors.

Dave writes: "Leaders of over a dozen major U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes ports will be joined by scientists and federal agency officials at Duluth/Superior harbor to announce an industry-led "Great Ships Initiative." This $3.5 million effort will focus on developing and implementing shipboard treatment technology necessary to prevent the introduction of aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes by ocean-going ships". He continues: "Twenty years after the zebra mussel, the same year New Zealand mudsnails were confirmed in this same harbor -- and now we're seeing an effort to develop shipboard technology to stop invasive species? It would be much more convincing if this media opportunity announced that all Great Lakes-going vessels have completed implementation of said technology. Enough news conferences about bold new programs." Well said!

Read bold new plan to solve very old problem

GLRC Environment Report reports: "30 years ago, an oil barge ran aground in the St. Lawrence River. Hundreds of thousands of gallons of thick crude oil coated the shoreline of northern New York state. The accident remains one of the largest inland oil spills in the United States."

Read LOOKING BACK ON THE "SLICK OF '76" by GLRC Environment Report

GLRC writes: "Money might not grow on trees. But researchers at a think tank devoted to saving America's forests say dollar signs can be attached to all those oaks, maples, and sycamores. They're hoping their environmental calculus can help convince local governments that it's in their best interest to protect the trees they still have, and to plant new ones."

Read or listen to PUTTING A PRICE TAG ON URBAN TREES OR
PUTTING A PRICE TAG ON URBAN TREES (SHORT VERSION)

Mike Wendland writes: "A $29.95 application called Movies2Go lets you easily transfer videos and slideshows to all your mobile devices". He continues, "It transfers videos from DVD, VHS, camcorders, and the Internet. The software also provides direct access to the new MAGIX Online Video Service, which offers downloads of over 300 free family-friendly videos"

Read Transfer all your video to mobile devices for more information

Mike Wendland picks up a TechBlog story highlighting Japenese gadgets that have questionable value, but interesting technology.

He writes: "We know our friends in Japan make very competitive cars. They're also pretty darn innovative when it comes to electronics. Maybe TOO innovative"

Read Top Ten Gadgets we can live without

Kitchen Chick invites you to explore not only this Curry recipe, but her favorite haunts in Columbus as well. I am particularly intriqued by Jeni's Ice Cream!

Read Cheera Thayir Curry

Jack writes: "Last month, the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine released a study whose name said it all: Hospital-Based Emergency Care: At a Breaking Point. The document concluded that our nation’s emergency care system is "overburdened, underfunded, and highly fragmented." He continues: "I expected to be worried when I began to read portions of the new report on the crisis in emergency medical care in this country.

Instead, I ended up deeply frightened. There, in black and white, sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, was proof that our system is headed for collapse."

Jack Lessenberry interviewed Dr. William Barson, Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at U of M Medical School and a member of the institute. Listen to Interview: William Barsan - 7/7/06

Read or listen to the companion Essay: A Real Emergency - 7/7/06

Rush on over to Absolute Michigan keyword 'health care' (type any word into that top right box: food, hiking, boat, etc.)

GLRC writes: "Fish farmers in some parts of the world are using large amounts of antibiotics to prevent infections. Some scientists are concerned that could cause problems for the industry and human health."

Read or listen to FISH FARMERS ADD TO DRUG RESISTANCE PROBLEM

ypsi~dixit writes about the ramifications of using antibacterial products. Read CLEANING PRODUCTS. Be sure to read HD's comment about his encounter with Dr. Bronner's Grandson in China.