Elk Rapids Almanac
August-Urban trees are valued for their beauty and the many benefits they bring to landscapes and neighborhoods. They are increasingly recognized for their importance in managing stormwater runoff, for their leaf canopies which cool temperatures and help reduce erosion caused by falling rain, and for the surface area where rain water lands and evaporates. Their roots take up water and provide anchoring for shoreline preservation during floods. They provide areas for people of all ages to relax and enjoy nature. The value of urban trees can even be calculated by a formula based on their circumference. https://www.omnicalculator.com/biology/tree-value
August 1- Shoreline surveys along the Elk River Corridor have been completed. A recent article in the Elks Rapids News noted the study was conducted to identify invasive plants such as crown vetch, bladder campion, and spotted knapweed blooming along the river. Summer is the most vibrant time for the shoreline, with native plants in full bloom and wildlife actively using the habitat. However, it is also when invasive species are most aggressive in their growth. The best time for monitoring these invasive species is from the end of July to early August. Early detection of new growth can prevent these species from establishing deeper root systems that are harder to remove later in the season. _Alexis Goward, Michigan Climate Corps, Elk Rapids.
August 7-In recent citizen input for the village master plan, protection of natural resources and environmental features were listed among our top priorities. In that regard, as part of grant preparation and background review for shoreline protection grants, a recent shoreline walkabout included eight representatives from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Drummond Carpenter Engineering, and the Michigan Coastal Management Program, a state-federal partnership through NOAA. Authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the National Coastal Zone Management Program provides the basis for protecting, restoring, and responsibly developing our nation’s diverse coastal communities and resources. We are one of 34 coastal states and territories that participates.
As a stewardship program, the Michigan Coastal Management Program provides substantial technical assistance and strategic grant funding to assist coastal communities and covers the focus areas of Coastal Community Development, Public Access, Coastal Hazards, Coastal Waters, and Coastal Habitat. https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/coastal-management
August 13- At the Lake Leaders event hosted by the Antrim Conservation District, the Shoreline Management Coordinator of the Village of Elk Rapids presented on improving shorelines with living shoreline techniques to support wildlife and native vegetation. A healthy shoreline involves evaluating its condition, planning for restoration, and managing the area to protect both the environment and human activities. Identifying issues such as erosion, invasive species, and loss of native plants is crucial, and mapping out key areas that need attention is part of the process. A healthy shoreline is a natural area along a body of water that supports a variety of plants and animals. It is lined with native plants that prevent erosion and filter pollutants before they reach the water, thus stabilizing the shoreline, protecting water quality, and supporting diverse wildlife. Managing invasive species is essential, and a healthy shoreline must also be resilient to the effects of climate change. Balancing environmental health, recreational use, and long-term sustainability is key to maintaining a healthy shoreline. _Alexis Goward, Michigan Climate Corps, Elk Rapids
August 25- My life as a Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Elk River is a short and sweet story. My species is native to North America, although we are found through the northern states. I like the cool clear waters of this river, with enough oxygen to filter through my gills, especially where temperatures remain below 70 degrees F.
I have an average lifespan of about 7 years, and I live longer than the male. I spawn eggs after my first year, and then maybe not again for two years.
I like to feed in early morning or late afternoon until dusk. I have an eclectic diet, mostly aquatic and terrestrial insects, and I feed in daylight on insects, fish, frogs, and even small mammals when I am bigger. (Things found in other Rainbow Trout stomachs have included blackberries, algae, pine needles, chicken feathers, baby birds, and lizards.) In summer, Insects like stoneflies and mayflies are typical food, and insects get me through the winter.
Often villagers are out fishing along the shore near the Cedar Street culverts, on both sides of the river, and near the library footbridge, so I stay alert. Recently a dad and three kids were fishing from the footbridge, and I noticed they caught a nice bluegill. Fortunately for the bluegill, the dad was teaching his daughter how to remove the hook and they returned the little guy to the river, as part of the “catch and release” approach to fishing sport. Sometimes people do legally take a few fish home for dinner. Such is life.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_018622.pdf
August 1- Shoreline surveys along the Elk River Corridor have been completed. A recent article in the Elks Rapids News noted the study was conducted to identify invasive plants such as crown vetch, bladder campion, and spotted knapweed blooming along the river. Summer is the most vibrant time for the shoreline, with native plants in full bloom and wildlife actively using the habitat. However, it is also when invasive species are most aggressive in their growth. The best time for monitoring these invasive species is from the end of July to early August. Early detection of new growth can prevent these species from establishing deeper root systems that are harder to remove later in the season. _Alexis Goward, Michigan Climate Corps, Elk Rapids.
August 7-In recent citizen input for the village master plan, protection of natural resources and environmental features were listed among our top priorities. In that regard, as part of grant preparation and background review for shoreline protection grants, a recent shoreline walkabout included eight representatives from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Drummond Carpenter Engineering, and the Michigan Coastal Management Program, a state-federal partnership through NOAA. Authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the National Coastal Zone Management Program provides the basis for protecting, restoring, and responsibly developing our nation’s diverse coastal communities and resources. We are one of 34 coastal states and territories that participates.
As a stewardship program, the Michigan Coastal Management Program provides substantial technical assistance and strategic grant funding to assist coastal communities and covers the focus areas of Coastal Community Development, Public Access, Coastal Hazards, Coastal Waters, and Coastal Habitat. https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/coastal-management
August 13- At the Lake Leaders event hosted by the Antrim Conservation District, the Shoreline Management Coordinator of the Village of Elk Rapids presented on improving shorelines with living shoreline techniques to support wildlife and native vegetation. A healthy shoreline involves evaluating its condition, planning for restoration, and managing the area to protect both the environment and human activities. Identifying issues such as erosion, invasive species, and loss of native plants is crucial, and mapping out key areas that need attention is part of the process. A healthy shoreline is a natural area along a body of water that supports a variety of plants and animals. It is lined with native plants that prevent erosion and filter pollutants before they reach the water, thus stabilizing the shoreline, protecting water quality, and supporting diverse wildlife. Managing invasive species is essential, and a healthy shoreline must also be resilient to the effects of climate change. Balancing environmental health, recreational use, and long-term sustainability is key to maintaining a healthy shoreline. _Alexis Goward, Michigan Climate Corps, Elk Rapids
August 25- My life as a Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Elk River is a short and sweet story. My species is native to North America, although we are found through the northern states. I like the cool clear waters of this river, with enough oxygen to filter through my gills, especially where temperatures remain below 70 degrees F.
I have an average lifespan of about 7 years, and I live longer than the male. I spawn eggs after my first year, and then maybe not again for two years.
I like to feed in early morning or late afternoon until dusk. I have an eclectic diet, mostly aquatic and terrestrial insects, and I feed in daylight on insects, fish, frogs, and even small mammals when I am bigger. (Things found in other Rainbow Trout stomachs have included blackberries, algae, pine needles, chicken feathers, baby birds, and lizards.) In summer, Insects like stoneflies and mayflies are typical food, and insects get me through the winter.
Often villagers are out fishing along the shore near the Cedar Street culverts, on both sides of the river, and near the library footbridge, so I stay alert. Recently a dad and three kids were fishing from the footbridge, and I noticed they caught a nice bluegill. Fortunately for the bluegill, the dad was teaching his daughter how to remove the hook and they returned the little guy to the river, as part of the “catch and release” approach to fishing sport. Sometimes people do legally take a few fish home for dinner. Such is life.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_018622.pdf
Invasive spotted knapweed along the shoreline by Dam Beach _Photo by Alexis Gowan