A S P E C I A L S U P P L E M E N T T O T H E H U R O N D A I LY T R I B U N E
March 12, 2022
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Farming conservation efforts help Saginaw Bay CONNOR VEENSTRA Staff Writer The Saginaw River and Bay were listed as an area of concern by the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in 1987 due to the massive number of contaminants like dioxins, metals, acids, and chloride found in the water. The cause was deemed to be runoff from the surrounding watershed, which covers 22 Michigan counties that drain into the Bay. This was, and still is, seen as a major problem. "This area has had a chronic history of environmental impacts, even from the 1900s," said Bay County Director of Environmental Affairs and Community Development Laura Ogar. In the 1900s, logging was a big business in Michigan. The ground was torn up and rivers were used to transport felled trees. This caused a lot of eutrophication, the process by which a body of water becomes progressively filled with minerals and nutrients. This has continued to be a problem, especially with connections to agriculture, as wind erosion and soil runoff from farms is carried through the watershed and into the Bay, building sedimentary
rock which is unhealthy for the water. The continuing contamination of the River and Bay has caused a myriad of problems, including closing beaches along the bay because of how contaminated it is, bird and animal deformities and reproduction issues, and the extirpation of certain species. "Historic records show the Saginaw Bay Commercial fishermen back in the 1890s and early 1900s couldn't even market the fish for a long time because they smelled like petrol," Ogar said. This isn't helped by the Bay's chaotic current, which can go any which way depending on water levels and wind conditions. This carries the contamination with it, spreading it to other parts of the bay. However, since the Clean Water Act was reorganized and expanded in 1972, there have been major investments made to help the situation, according to Ogar. "We have an early history of pollution dumping into the Saginaw River and Bay, and if the Clean Water Act hadn't passed, considering the trajectory we were on, (the Bay and watershed) would not be See SAGINAW BAY page 3
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The Saginaw Bay has been declared an area of concern, but conservation efforts from farmers have helped make it healthier. (Robert Creenan/ Huron Daily Tribune)
SAGINAW BAY Continued from page 2
habitable today," she said. Conservation efforts in farming have also helped, with techniques like cover crops significantly lowering the sedimentary level in the Bay and River. With those lowered levels, Bay County was able to justify building a fish spawning reef in the Bay to help fish numbers recover. The Huron Conservation District has been similarly focussing its efforts on keeping the waters cleaner, but
providing programs to help farmers institute practices that reduce loose soil in their fields. This includes a drilling method, where a drill planter is used to plant seeds of grass and flower mixtures to act as a buffer between the field crops and waterways. This helps avoid nutrient and sediment runoff. "You hear about algae blooms and water quality issues?" said Conservation District manager Katie Volmering. "That's caused by sediment and nutrients load-
ing into the waterways." "Our problems aren't solved, for sure, but they're significantly improved from what they were," Ogar said. "That's important. It's important for people to have hope that our community is healing, that it's a healthier place. And that the regulations work." "Sometimes, (regulations/regulators) can be heavy-handed and going out of control, but regulations aren't in place because somebody got bored," she added.
Program provides $3.6M to detect, control invasive species LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program is providing $3.6 million to 31 projects across the state to prevent, detect, eradicate and control water-based and land-based invasive species. The program's key ob-
jectives are preventing the introduction of new invasive species, strengthening the statewide invasive species early detection and response network, limiting the spread of recently confirmed invasive species and managing and controlling widespread,
established invasive species, according to the state. The state Legislature in 2014 designated $5 million in annual funding to address invasive species. To date, more than $29 million has been awarded to support 202 projects, the state said.
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In 2018, there was an estimated 187 non-native species that were considered established in the Great Lakes system, according to aquatic invasive species educator with MSU Extension Kelsey Bockelman.
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Invasive species pose a real issue in Michigan. European frog-bit is a free-floating aquatic plant, about the size of a quarter, that grows in colonies and forms dense mats on the water’s surface. It is a prohibited species on Michigan’s invasive species watchlist. Mats of frog-bit make it difficult or impossible for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife to move through infested areas. A single plant, if left stuck to the hull of a boat or kayak, can start a whole new infestation when introduced into another body of water. It’s no coincidence that frog-bit is often found near public-access sites and kayak launches. (Photos courtesy of Huron Pines)
MSU Extension helps to educate on and prevent invasive species CONNOR VEENSTRA Staff Writer Invasive species of plants and animals have been a problem in Michigan waters for hundreds of years, ever since they were introduced through international trips between America and Europe between the 1800s to 1900s. It wasn't until the early 1990s that the government decided to do something about it, with ballast water
regulations to keep invasive species from hitching a ride on boats. In 2018, there was an estimated 187 non-native species that were considered established in the Great Lakes system, according to aquatic invasive species educator with MSU Extension Kelsey Bockelman. And because there are water bodies in Michigan without invasive species, there's always a threat of further invasion,
if boaters aren't careful to inspect their ships for stowaway plants and fish. Invasive species have the ability to greatly alter their environment. The Eurasian watermilefoil, for example, displaces native species in its environment by blocking out the sunlight as it grows in large mats, as well as affecting oxygen levels in the water. However, fully removing it or other invasive species See MSU page 5
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MSU
Continued from page 4
after a certain amount of time would be incredibly difficult if it's been allowed to permanently change its environment. "Fully removing an invasive species can also take large amounts of time, money, and resources as well," Bockelman said. "Conservation managers would need to weigh the pros and cons of each control action that they're proposing to conduct in that specific location to determine potential effects." However, with certain programs and ballast water laws, scientists and educators help to curb the invasive species populations in Michigan waters. Transoceanic ships are banned from transporting and selling known invasive species, which has helped reduce the introduction of new species. State laws also require boaters to pull their drain plugs, drain all the water from their bilges or ballast tanks (two places invasive species often hitch a ride), and remove all plants and debris from their watercraft and trailer.
In addition, a variety of outreach programs from MSU Extension have worked to provide accessible resources on invasive species. With the help of other partners, like the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, MSU Extension has been working for years to educate and encourage boaters and independent organizations to help stop the spread of invasive species. These include the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program, which offers smaller grant opportunities for lake organizations and non-profits that applied for invasive outreach assistance. MSU Extension also hosts a Mobile Boat Wash, providing free educational boat washing events at launches across the state. And thirdly, they have the Reduce Invasive Pet and Plant Escpaes initiative, which helps people to find different ways of dealing with unwanted plants and aquatic animals other than releasing them into the nearest body of water. MSU Extension has also been connected with more See SPECIES page 6
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MSU Extension has been working to combat invasive species like the red swamp crayfish. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources/ Courtesy Photo)
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SPECIES Continued from page 5
groups and non-profits like Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch, a citizen science program aimed at the early detection of aquatic invasive plants. These citizen-based groups are invaluable to the study of invasive species, according to Bockelman. "Citizens provide valuable data on first sightings which lets scientists and conservationists act quickly and successfully on the control of invasive species," she said. Boaters and anglers can also do their part by practicing the clean, drain, dry, dis-
pose of steps for their boats, said Bockelman, helping to stop the spread of invasive species. While invasive species in Michigan aren't as prevalent now as they were before, citizens and scientists should still be on the lookout for invasive species in our waters. "Invasive species continue to pose both short and longterm concerns for Michigan's waterways," Bockelman said. "There is always a threat of new species entering the state from neighboring areas or international water bodies, such as the looming threat of Asian carp species."
“Citizens provide valuable data on first sightings which lets scientists and conservationists act quickly and successfully on the control of invasive species,” Bockelman said.
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MSUE Native Species List for Southern Lower Peninsula Deciding which native species to focus on can be overwhelming. To assist your selection, Michigan State University Extension has developed a list of about 50 plant species that are common to southern Lower Michigan. The list is meant as a place to start as you learn about native plants, and consider a planting of your own. Not all of these species are suitable for all applications. For more information about these species, as well as others to consider, contact your local native plant producer and see the plant fact sheets at https://www.canr.msu.edu/.
Wildflowers NATIVE PLANT NAME
FLOWERS
SUN
SIZE
Scientific Common color full part shd Actaea pachypoda Actaea rubra Allium cernuum Anemone canadensis Aquilegia canadensis Arisaema triphyllum Asarum canadense Asclepias incarnata Asclepias tuberosa Caulophyllum thalictroides Chelone glabra Coreopsis lanceolata Eupatoriadelphus maculatus (Eupatorium maculatum)
White Baneberry Red Baneberry Nodding Wild Onion Canada Anemone Wild Columbine Jack-in-the-Pulpit Wild Ginger Swamp Milkweed Butterfly weed Blue Cohosh Turtlehead Sand Coreopsis
MOISTURE
height dry ave wet (feet)
White NO YES YES 1-2 NO White NO YES YES 1-2 NO Pink YES YES NO 1-2 NO White YES YES NO 1-2 NO Red/Yellow YES YES YES 1-3 NO Green NO YES YES 1-3 NO Purple YES NO NO .5-1 NO Pink YES YES NO 3-4 NO Orange YES NO NO 1-3 YES Yellow NO YES YES 1-2 NO White YES YES NO 3-5 NO Yellow YES NO NO 1-2 YES
Spotted Joe-pye Weed Pink
YES
NOTES (see bottom for code key)
YES NO -YES NO -YES NO -YES YES O YES NO LH, B YES NO -YES NO -YES YES LH, N YES NO LH, N YES NO -YES YES LH YES NO B, N
YES NO 4-5 NO YES
YES
N
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Wildflowers NATIVE PLANT NAME
FLOWERS
SUN
SIZE
Scientific Common color full part shd Eupatorium perfoliatum Fragaria virginiana Geranium maculatum Hibiscus moscheutos Iris versicolor Iris virginica Liatris aspera Liatris spicata Lobelia cardinalis Lobelia siphilitica Lupinus perennis Monarda fistulosa Oligoneuron riddellii (Solidago riddellii) Oligoneuron rigidum (Solidago rigida) Packera aurea (Senecio aureus) Penstemon digitalis Penstemon hirsutus Polygonatum biflorum Pycnanthemum virginianum Rudbeckia hirta Silphium terebinthinaceum Solidago flexicaulis Solidago speciosa Symphyotrichum laeve (Aster laevis) Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (Aster novae-angliae) Thalictrum dasycarpum Thalictrum dioicum Tradescantia ohiensis Vernonia missurica
MOISTURE
NOTES
height dry ave wet (feet)
(see bottom for code key)
Common Boneset Wild Strawberry Wild Geranium Rose Mallow Wild Blue Flag Southern Blue Flag Rough Blazing Star Marsh Blazing Star Cardinal Flower Great Blue Lobelia Wild Lupine Wild Bergamot
White White Pink Pink B lue B lue Pink Pink Red Blue Blue Lavender
YES YES NO 3-5 NO YES YES N, PP YES YES YES .5-1 NO YES YES GC, LH, NS YES YES YES 1-2 NO YES NO -YES NO NO 4-6 NO YES YES -YES YES NO 2-3 NO YES YES N YES YES NO 2-3 NO YES YES -YES NO NO 3-4 YES YES NO N YES NO NO 3-4 NO YES YES N YES YES NO 2-4 NO YES YES B, N YES YES NO 1-3 NO YES YES PP YES YES NO 1-2 YES NO NO LH, N YES NO NO 2-4 YES YES N
Riddell's Goldenrod
Yellow
YES NO NO 2-4 NO YES
Stiff Goldenrod
Yellow
YES
Golden Ragwort Foxglove Beardtongue Hairy Beardtongue True Solomon's Seal Mountain Mint Black-eyed Susan Prairie Dock Broad-leaved Goldenrod Showy Goldenrod
Yellow YES YES NO 2-3 NO White YES YES NO 3-4 NO Pink YES NO NO 1-2 YES Green NO YES NO 1-3 NO White YES YES NO 1-2 NO Yellow YES YES NO 1-3 YES Yellow YES NO NO 4-10 YES Yellow NO YES YES 1-2 NO Yellow YES NO NO 2-5 YES
Smooth Aster
Lavender
New England Aster Purple Meadow-rue Early Meadow-rue Common Spiderwort Missouri Ironweed
Purple YES NO NO 3-6 NO White YES YES NO 3-7 NO White NO YES YES 2-3 NO Blue YES YES NO 2-3 YES Purple YES YES NO 4-6 NO
YES
YES
N, PP
NO NO 3-5 NO YES NO
N
NO NO 2-4
YES YES -YES YES B YES NO B YES NO -YES YES N YES NO LH, N, YES YES N,B YES NO N YES NO N, PP
YES YES NO
LH, N, PP
YES YES LH, N, PP YES YES -YES NO -YES NO -YES YES N
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Wildflowers NATIVE PLANT NAME
FLOWERS
SUN
SIZE
Scientific Common color full part shd Veronicastrum virginicum Zizia aurea
Culver's Root Golden Alexanders
White Yellow
YES YES
MOISTURE
height dry ave wet (feet)
YES NO 3-5 NO YES YES NO 2-3 NO YES
NOTES (see bottom for code key)
YES YES
N, PP PP
Ferns NATIVE PLANT NAME
FLOWERS
SUN
SIZE
MOISTURE
height (feet)
dry
ave
wet
YES YES 1 NO YES YES 2-3 NO YES YES 3-4 NO YES NO 1-2 NO
YES YES YES NO
YES NO YES YES
Scientific Common color full part shd Adiantum pedatum Athyrium filix-femina Matteuccia struthiopteris Onoclea sensibilis
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Maidenhair Fern Lady Fern Ostrich Fern Sensitive Fern
-
NO YES YES YES
Trees, Shrubs, Vines NATIVE PLANT NAME
FLOWERS
SUN
SIZE
Scientific Common color full part shd
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Amelanchier laevis Ceanothus americanus Cercis canadensis Cornus sericea (Cornus stolonifera) Corylus americana Ilex verticillata Lindera benzoin Physocarpus opulifolius Prunus serotina Quercus alba Quercus bicolor Quercus macrocarpa Quercus rubra Sambucus nigra (Sambucus canadensis) Viburnum lentago
YES YES YES
MOISTURE
(see bottom for code key)
YES NO 12-25 YES YES NO YES NO 1-3 YES YES NO YES NO 12-25 NO YES NO
B, LH LH, N LH, N
Smooth Serviceberry New Jersey Tea Redbud, Judas Tree
White White Pink
Red-osier Dogwood Hazelnut Winterberry Spicebush Ninebark Wild Black Cherry White Oak Swamp White Oak Bur Oak Red Oak
White YES YES YES 3-9 YES Yellow YES YES NO 5-9 YES White YES YES NO 6-12 NO Yellow YES YES 5-10 NO White YES YES NO 3-9 NO White YES YES NO 50-85 YES Green YES NO NO 70-90 YES Green YES NO NO 50-80 NO Green YES NO NO 60-85 YES Green YES NO NO 65-90 NO
Elderberry Nannyberry
White White
YES YES
NOTES
height dry ave wet (feet)
YES YES LH, B, N, S YES NO -YES YES B YES YES LH YES YES N YES NO LH, N YES NO LH, B YES YES LH YES YES LH YES NO LH
YES NO 5-12 NO YES YES NO 15-30 NO YES
YES YES
B B, N, LH
Grasses, Sedges, Rushes NATIVE PLANT NAME
FLOWERS
SUN
SIZE
Scientific Common color full part shd Andropogon gerardii Carex pensylvanica Carex stricta Elymus hystrix (Hystrix patula) Juncus effusus Panicum virgatum Schizachyrium scoparium (Andropogon scoparius) Sorghastrum nutans
Big Bluestem Pennsylvania Sedge Tussock Sedge Bottlebrush Grass Soft-stemmed Rush Switch Grass
Green YES Green NO Green YES Green NO Green YES Green YES
Little Bluestem Indian Grass
Green Green
B: Provides food (fruit, seed, or nectar) or nesting habitat for birds GC: Groundcover LH: Larval host for butterflies LS: Well-suited for landscaping; not well-suited to gardens LTD: Limited plant material supply
MOISTURE
height dry ave wet (feet)
NO NO 5-7 YES YES NO .5-1 YES NO NO 2-4 NO YES YES 3-5 YES NO NO 1-3 NO YES NO 3-5 YES
NOTES (see bottom for code key)
YES YES -YES NO GC NO YES LH, LS YES NO LH NO YES -YES YES LH
YES NO NO 2-4 YES YES NO YES NO NO 4-6 NO YES NO N: Provides nectar for butterflies NS: Does not establish well from seed O: Opportunistic - spreads aggressively PP: Attract pollinators and predatory insects S: Spreads by underground suckers
LH LH
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Eggs and poultry are safe to eat, despite news of avian influenza WADE SYERS Michigan State University Extension With avian influenza in the news again, many people may be wondering if it is safe to consume eggs and poultry products. Currently, there is no public health or food safety concern for Michigan residents. Avian influenza is a virus that is naturally found in the wild populations of many birds, including gulls, terns, ducks, geese, swans. In domestic birds such as chickens and turkeys however, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is devastating. HPAI has recently been found in Michigan in a small backyard flock, and has also been found in several other states. Consumers should be aware that if HPAI were to occur in Michigan commercial poultry, none of the food-related products from those flocks will go into the human food chain. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is safe to
eat poultry and eggs when they are properly handled and thoroughly cooked. The CDC further asserts that “the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses, including HPAI A(H5) viruses.” For example, this means that over-easy and sunny side up eggs should be avoided. In addition, people should not consume meat or eggs from poultry that are sick. According to the CDC, highly pathogenic avian influenza does not present an immediate public health concern, and no human cases of HPAI have been detected in the United States. To stay safe from foodborne illness, follow these tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs. • Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food. See POULTRY page 10
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MSU Extension announces spring kick-off meeting for hop growers March 24 ter Management by Lyndon Kelly, MSU irrigation educator, and Younsuk Dong, MSU agriculture irrigation specialist.
ROB SIRRINE AND ERIN LIZOTTE Michigan State University Extension Michigan State University Extension is excited to announce the 2022 Hop Spring Kickoff meeting will be March 24 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. via Zoom. Presenters will discuss updates to the MSU Hop Management Guide, fertility, irrigation and more. The following presentations are confirmed: • Weed Management Updates in Hop by Sushila Chaudhari, MSU weed scientist. • Early Season Halo Blight and Downy Mildew Identification and Management by Tim Miles, MSU plant pathologist. • Irrigation and Soil Moisture Monitoring for Wa-
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• An Overview of SAP Analysis to Fine-tune Hop Nutrient Plans by Rick Kawalski, Hop Head Farms, and JP Jacobson, technical representative, Agro-K Corporation. There will also be an update from the Hop Growers of Michigan. RUP credits will be available. Visit http://www.canr. msu.edu/events/msu-hopspring-kickoff-meeting-2022 to register for the event. As a reminder, MSU will be hosting a series of interactive bi-weekly hop chat Zoom meetings throughout 2022 to facilitate communication between hop producers and MSU faculty. The informal sessions will include crop
POULTRY Continued from page 9
• Clean your cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item. • Separate raw poultry and eggs from other foods. • Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a different one for raw poultry. • Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, including
poultry, or eggs unless the plate has been washed in hot, soapy water. • Cook eggs until the yolk and white of the egg are firm. Only use recipes that call for the eggs to be cooked or heated thoroughly. • Using a food thermometer is the only way to ensure that poultry and egg-containing dishes are properly cooked. These foods must be cooked to a safe minimum inter-
and pest updates from MSU Extension’s Rob Sirrine and Erin Lizotte. In addition, MSU faculty will drop in to address timely issues and provide research project updates. Bring your field notes too! We want to hear what’s going on in your hopyard. Keep an eye out for registration details. This material is based on work supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Crop Protection Pest Management Program. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu.
nal temperature of 165 degrees F for poultry and 160 degrees F for egg-containing dishes. For answers to all of your food safety questions, call MSU Extension's Food Safety Hotline at 1-877-643-9882. For more information on food safety, visit MSU Extension's Safe Food & Water website. This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu.
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NRCS works with conservation district to give farmers clean soil
CONNOR VEENSTRA Staff Writer The Natural Resources Conservation Service and county Conservation Districts have worked hand in hand since they were created during the 1930s. At the time, the NRCS was known as the Soil Conservation Service, created in response to the Dust Bowl that crippled American farms at the time. Once the drought ended, however, the NRCS and conservation districts stuck around and found that their advice for American farmers was useful for more than just times of crisis. In terms of conservation efforts in Michigan, Huron County leads the way for the rest of the state, according to NRCS soil conservationist Robert Battel. "We bring in a lot of money compared to other counties," he said. "Securing federal funds to help landowners install conservation practices and Huron County does as good a job at that as any county in the state." Part of Huron County Conservation District's success was due in part to Jeannette
Renn, the conservation district's previous director. Through her efforts, the district received unprecedented funding for its programs and projects, in tandem with the NRCS. Two of their biggest incentive programs Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program, which help design a conservation program for farmers, specific to their crops and land. "It’s a great program for someone who is looking to learn how to implement conservation practices into their farm," said Huron County farmer Ashley Kennedy, regarding EQIP. "Especially for a new or beginner farmer who may have a debt load, the cost-share can help with that a lot.” The programs have been successful at reducing the amount of contamination to nearby bodies of water. When soil runoff gets into a river or lake, it builds up nutrients and sedimentary rock that can contaminate the water. According to Laura Ogar, Bay County Director of Environmental Affairs and Community Development, practices like cover crops have improved conditions in the Saginaw Bay in particular greatly recover. The NRCS and conservation district receive watershed grants to help specific watersheds in the area. These grants help pay for cover crop operations, buffer and filter strips, and drainage/water management, all in the name of reducing the amount of nutrient runoff and sedimentary buildup in nearby bodies
of water. "Ultimately, that's what we're trying to do," Battel said. "Help farmers conserve their ground, reduce erosion, help them apply nutrients according to MSU recommendations, recommended pest management effectively, not overuse the pesticides." The two groups also make conservation efforts discon-
nected from commercial farming. They host an annual tree sale, where they sell conifers, hardwoods, and many types of fruit trees in hopes that they'll be planted and added to the area. Some of them are directly used for different conservation practices depending on the plan that a grower has for their farm. They also have a pesticide
jug recycling every year, where local farmers can bring triple-rinsed jugs and have them crushed for safe disposal and renewal. "We're proud of our growers who take the extra effort to be more environmentally conscious and put more conservation practices on their acres," said Conservation District Manager Katie Volmering.
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