#native birds of lake erie

[keyonsketches]

"snow goose, blue morph" watercolor by Keyon aka Kirsten Dennis part of "birds of the lake Erie area"

[acmenvs3000w23]

Unit 02: Teaching Learners

My uncle lives on the shore of Lake Erie and down the road from his house is an arboretum/biodiversity hotspot called Monarch Landing Nature Reserve. My uncle became good friends with the gatekeeper of the reserve and while visiting my uncle in the summer of 2021 we went to the reserve for a tour. The gatekeeper’s name was also Aaron, and he was extremely knowledge about all the species on the reserve. It was host to 230 species of birds, 73 species of butterflies, Carolinian and rare trees, and plants. On the tour Aaron talked about the different species, how they originally came to Canada or if they were native, the status of the species, which species migrated through the reserve, and overall showed me some cool plants.

I do not think that my future employment will involve interpreting nature in this way however I think it would be cool to volunteer to gain the opportunity to teach people about different plants species in Ontario and how to preserve them. This could be volunteering throughout my career or after I retire and just something I do on the side for fun. I want to be able to look at any plant or tree species and know exactly what its scientific name is and then be able to explains its history is a fun imaginative way that will get my audience excited about nature. Ideally this would be performing nature tours at an arboretum to children and adults.

After taking the What’s your learning style quiz I found out that I am a 45% tactile, 40% visual and 15% auditory learner. Meaning I learn best through experiences and seeing. Taking that into account when I interpret nature for others, I need to consider their learning style and incorporate that into my explanation.

If I were to perform tours, I believe the best way to interpret nature to my audience would be through the story line strategy (pg. 100) (Beck et al., 2018). As well Beck et al. (2018) indicates that interpretation should not be just facts but rather acting as a guide to help better the experience providing the flesh and blood (pg. 83). Beck et al. (2018) provides a list of the 15 principles and there corresponding gifts (pg. 85). Depending on the intended audience these principles must be adjusted to represent the material in understanding ways. Such as with the gift of joy programs can be designed to be targeted at adults, children, and a mix of both so when you start a tour it can reach the audience at all levels. Adjusting interpretation to different ages will be important to learn as well. Asking where, what, who questions to children under 2, when and why questions to children 2-7, focusing on concrete experiences for children 7-11, and lastly for children older than 11 incorporating problems will be helpful (pg. 108/109) (Beck et al., 2018).

Another skill to learn would be multiple intelligences to help engage as many people as possible (pg. 110) (Beck et al., 2018). Many of the other theories Beck talks about are important to learn as well. Incorporating these theories into steps to guide the audience through a story line with the main goal in mind. Overall, this will all take time to learn and could take years to masters before you can apply your knowledge to everyone’s learning style.

Aaron

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.

[umangseo]

Monroe's Unique Flora and Fauna: A Naturalist's Guide.

Nestled in the heart of Michigan lies Monroe County, a region renowned for its rich tapestry of natural wonders. From the lush forests to the winding waterways, Monroe boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna that captivates the imagination of any nature enthusiast. In this naturalist's guide, we embark on a journey through the unique ecosystems of Monroe, uncovering the hidden gems that make this region a haven for biodiversity.

Flora:

Monroe County's flora is a testament to the region's ecological diversity. The county's landscape is adorned with a mosaic of plant communities, each harboring its own distinct species. From the towering hardwoods of the oak-hickory forests to the delicate blooms of the wetlands, Monroe's flora is as varied as it is beautiful.

One of the most iconic plant species found in Monroe is the Michigan Lily (Lilium michiganense). This striking wildflower, with its vibrant orange petals adorned with dark spots, graces the woodlands and meadows of the region during the summer months. Its presence serves as a reminder of the delicate balance of nature and the importance of preserving native habitats.

Another botanical treasure of Monroe is the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid (Platanthera leucophaea). This rare and endangered orchid species is found in select prairie remnants within the county. Known for its elegant white blooms and intricate fringed petals, the Eastern Prairie Fringed Orchid is a symbol of resilience in the face of habitat loss and fragmentation.

Fauna:

Monroe County is home to a diverse array of fauna, ranging from elusive mammals to colorful avian species. The region's abundant waterways, including the River Raisin and Lake Erie, provide crucial habitats for a variety of aquatic life, while the woodlands and prairies support a wealth of terrestrial fauna.

One of the most iconic residents of Monroe's waterways is the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). With its majestic appearance and keen hunting prowess, the Bald Eagle serves as a symbol of strength and resilience. Thanks to conservation efforts, the population of Bald Eagles in Monroe County has rebounded in recent years, offering nature enthusiasts the opportunity to witness these magnificent birds in their natural habitat.

In addition to its avian inhabitants, Monroe County is also home to a diverse array of mammals, including the White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus). These species play integral roles in the county's ecosystem, shaping vegetation dynamics and serving as prey for larger predators.

Conservation Efforts:

Despite its natural beauty, Monroe County faces ongoing threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. To safeguard the region's flora and fauna for future generations, concerted conservation efforts are underway.

Local organizations, such as the Monroe County Conservation District and the River Raisin Institute, work tirelessly to preserve and restore critical habitats throughout the county. Through habitat restoration projects, invasive species management, and environmental education initiatives, these groups are making a tangible difference in the health of Monroe's ecosystems.

Furthermore, partnerships between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private landowners are essential for the long-term conservation of Monroe's natural heritage. By collaborating on land protection initiatives and implementing sustainable land management practices, these stakeholders are ensuring that Monroe's unique flora and fauna thrive for years to come.

Conclusion:

Monroe County's flora and fauna are a source of wonder and inspiration for nature lovers across the globe. From the ephemeral beauty of wildflowers to the resounding call of Bald Eagles, the natural treasures of this region are as diverse as they are enchanting. By valuing and protecting these ecosystems, we can ensure that Monroe remains a sanctuary for biodiversity for generations to come.

[hyssopandbee]

Tifft’s cattail marsh is something special! You may notice off in the distance evidence of Buffalo’s industrial history. Tifft is actually a former shipping site stemming from Lake Erie. Surrounded by railroads and marinas, this site has also been a dumping ground. It’s come a long way thanks to tireless efforts by conservationists and other professionals understanding how unique this area is, and working to restore natural habitat for migratory birds and native species.

[avery-allyss]

I guess this could be worse.

The assignment was to create a design based off of one or more creation myths. I have little hints of several because copying something too closely seems redundant. Yes it a bit of a confusing jumble and you need to stretch a lil to pick up all the references, but I like it that way.

Egg shape is from several myths, mainly because my favorite myth is the Finnish creation myth, which is also the source of the duck. I'll get more into that further down in the reflective portion of this post.

The yin/yang base for the devision of the egg is from Asia. The concept is more into the description of the energies, the yang being masculine firey intenseness of light, and the yin being the quite coolness of darkness.

The volcano ang glacier are derived from Norse mythology, and I played with the idea of making some sort of root system in the line separating the two to represent the beginning of yggdrasil.

The reeds and cat are from the native American myth. Something about a Reed carrying the founders through worlds, and loosing a war to cat people? It stuck in my mind.

This is the second time I've ever done print making, the first was over ten years ago and stamping a smaller design on an extra large Tshirt I still use as pjs.

The entire process was a mess.

We had one linoleum panel to work with. We had to carve away each color we wanted to keep.

I started slow because the white and yellow layers were so complicated.

I miss measured the paper size so the back of all four copies are a mess.

I made four copies, and every one had a different mystake. The one showed was the only one that the cat showed up on.

I fucked up carving alot, I just got good at covering it up.

The duck has no bill. I tried to make up for it by giving them an intentional halo, it didn't quite work.

The reeds are too short. This actually gives off a slightly more organic vibe than I was going for. I'm not quite sure if I like it.

One of the sun swirls is broken up a bit because my hand sliped.

The blue layer was off and ended up giving the volcano some highlight. It pops a little until you realize it's out of place, so I don't like it.

Printed red through black in one day, my entire arm hates me still. I had my entire arm tensed to prevent slip ups. It's not so bad right now because my mom told me which med to take today, but I couldn't sleep on that side or my back very well last night. At least I didn't break skin when I stabed myself! I need to lay off crocheting, but that's how I decompress...

I will repost with individual pictures of each copy and the drawing on Monday, that's when the crit is anyway.

What I would do differently

Smaller egg, let the corners interact with each other a bit.

I would play with the idea of white clouds, or white with black highlights.

I would make the sun swirls part of the red gradient. I would also simplify their shape to make them easier to carve.

I would look at different ways to portray the cat. Maybe I would play with the idea of red eyes on the cat. Red claws to represent violence? Cause I'm not going to ever go all in on a horrific portrayal, hints have to do for kitty.

Multi colored and more consistent pebble bed. Maybe mossy rocks or sand with grasses growing in? Seeds? Arthropods to pull in yet another creation myth?

Duck would have a bill and a halo or some sort. There plenty of methods to imitate and explore.

I would play with the idea of defining individual rock structure on the volcano and the small waterfall.

Gemstones on the volcano?

Maybe not even do a volcano, and just make a black dragon on a mountain? Chinese style to keep up with the theme of creation?

Shade the reeds in gradients, maybe make thin red lines to imitate their texture?

Dragonflies by the reeds?

Green layer to add moss and lichen, as well as springtime pigments for the reeds as opposed to fall, can you even marble shades effectively in print making? Green detailing on the cat would start getting Erie.

Yggdrasil roots in the division, multi color highlights on yellow, tiny branch coming around to poke out by the sun?

Grey to black gradient instead of straight black for the outline?

Use a digital painting software instead of actualy carving it all. That's the only way I will play with this image again.

The Finnish Godess of Creaton

Luonnotar

Once the universe was comprised of three things.

There was nothingness, a vast unmeasurable abyss where not even a single star shone. The power of stillness was held in the dark expanse.

There was a river, a mysterious flow of swirling posability. The power and movement of the universe was held in the 'waters'.

And lastly, there was a girl. Luonntar was the daughter of the stillness of the abyss and the power of movement. She was alone, and there was nothing for her to do, no way to express herself, or to release energy, or even just simply enrich her life. She did not know companionship, so she did not know to be lonely. She did not sleep, nor did she truly live. She only felt emptiness. There was no pain to be felt, nor was there joy to be had.

Something changed. Something tightened in Luonntar's chest, as though her heart was hurting. Over another eternity she came to recognize the pain as desire. Into her emptiness had flowed a blind longing. She wanted something but she did not know what there even was to want. She wanted change, but because she never experienced anything but the same river and the same darkness, she had no idea what it was she wanted.

Slowly (as everything so far had), an idea budded in Luonntar's mind, the first idea ever in the universe. She jumped into the river and swam. She did not sink, but floated on the surface, looking back up to the darkness she had left from. This action permanently altered the universe, though seeing how took some more time (of corse). In the meantime the girl relaxed as she drifted through the river.

Then came a duck ((grapes are not involved in this myth stahp)) swimming up to Luonntar. A duck, in a universe where there had only ever been one being, now there were two! With Luonntar's change and wish, she changed the entire universe and a new world was created in which the duck could exist too.

The curious bird swam around the girl looking at the strange other being, the girl laying very still as she did the same. The duck climbed up onto Luonntar's warm knee and sat. Then something else happened, something so beautiful that Luonntar could not believe her eyes.

The duck layed three eggs there upon the goddess' knee because it was the only warm dry place in the entire universe, and the only place the future could hatch.

Luonntar kept so very still, anxious of the fragile life prched upon her knee. The duck warmed her clutch as they grew hotter and hotter as the future drew near.

Luonntar yearned for that future like she had never yearned before, bringing back the dull pain from before. She ignored it.

The eggs grew uncomfortably hot, the ducks featherstickled her, and the bebed feet left tiny scratches on her. She ignored it all.

Suddenly the duck shifted, her feathers tickling Luonntar and she couldn't help but to twitch reflexively. She did not mean to but it was enough. She watched horrified as the eggs tumbled into the river. She berated herself, fearing for the eggs. Would they sink forever out of sight? Would the future be lost?

Instead the eggs broke open. Marvels poured forth. The yolks joined into the sun and rose up into the abyss. The whites became a silver moon, rising as well. The tiny bits of the shells became the stars, scattered disjointed with the rest of the remains of the three eggs. In a world where only darkness had existed, light was born. It was magic.

Luonntar was changed by the magic, as she dove beneath the surface. Something was calling to her from the depths. It was the mud at the bottom. She grabbed handfuls and swam back to the surface. She molded a cone from the mud upon her belly and placed it on the surface of the river. It rose into the sky and became a mountain.

She dived again and again, returning to the surface to mold more new landscapes. She carved veins of rivers through the land, scooping out lakes. The stars watched in fascination. Inspired, they rearranged themselves into designs. The moon learned out to show its changing face to the earth.

As Luonntar built the land, life burst forth. Plants grew, creatures came to be. All life was the children of the new earth. When the goddess rested at long last and looked at the bright sky, the green foliage, and the lively children, she knew it was good.

((Adlibed from "Wild Girls" by Patricia Monaghan))

[ultraheydudemestuff]

South Bass Island State Park

1523 Catawba Ave.

Put-In-Bay, OH 43456

Balanced atop the white cliffs of South Bass Island, the park offers visitors a tranquil setting to enjoy nature and expansive views of Lake Erie. Located a few miles from one of Ohio's top tourist destinations-- Put-In-Bay-- visitors can enjoy camping, swimming, picnicking, and fishing. Overnight accommodations includes a campground, cabents, and camper cabin.

Prior to the late 1700s, the Lake Erie Island region had been occupied by Ottawa and Huron (Wyandot) Native American tribes. After the Revolutionary War, the land was granted to the former colonies and land development companies. However, the native Americans had not given up their own claims to these lands, resulting in ongoing conflicts with settlers. The British also remained in the area, harassing American ships, and encouraging the Indian resistance.

In 1807, John Pierpont Edwards of the Connecticut Land Company was granted ownership of the Bass islands. Edwards deeded the islands to his son, John Stark Edwards, settled on South Bass Island in 1811, and successfully cleared 100 acres and raised a crop of wheat within the first year. In June 1812, the U.S. declared war against Great Britain. Later that summer, the British recaptured their Revolutionary War stronghold, Fort Detroit, and ramped up the conflict. The Lake Erie Islands were evacuated.

A young naval officer, Oliver Hazard Perry, established a Lake Erie fleet to reassert American dominance on the lake. In September of 1813, Perry maneuvered his ships to the well protected cove at South Bass Island’s Put-In-Bay. Perry is reputed to have discovered Perry’s Cave as he prepared for the upcoming battle. Despite setbacks and his inferior fleet, Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British commander Robert Barclay in a harrowing battle on September 10, 1813. Perry declared, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." The victory gave the Americans control of Lake Erie and led to the ultimate defeat of the British in the War of 1812.

John Stark Edwards died in 1813. His brother, Alfred, assumed control of the island and cut many of the island’s trees for timber in the 1830s and '40s. South Bass and the other islands remained sparsely settled until 1854, when Jose DeRivera purchased five of the islands. At first he turned Put-In-Bay into a sheep ranch with a herd of 2,000, but eventually he converted the island into a fruit farm. Despite the extreme northern location, the islands have the longest frost-free period in Ohio due to the stabilizing effect of the lake. By 1880, grapes and wine were the South Bass Island’s sole agricultural products, and became known as the "Wine Islands." Several island wineries still exist today.

Put-in-Bay became a tourist destination by the 1870s, and a number of small hotels were established near the bay. In 1889, promoter J.K. Tillotson began construction of a grand summer resort, the Hotel Victory, on the other side of the island near Stone’s Cove (the site of today’s state park). When it opened in June 1892, Victory Hotel was the largest hotel in the world. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by fire in 1919. The foundation of the swimming pool is all that remains. The former hotel land had remained mostly undeveloped when the state of Ohio purchased the property at Stone’s Cove in 1938, and constructed a new public dock. This property, along with Oak Point, was added to the state park system in 1951.

South Bass Island, in the western basin of Lake Erie, was formed during the glacial period when massive ice sheets from Canada advanced into Ohio. Glaciers gouged and scoured the bedrock, and their tremendous weight left deep depressions which filled with meltwater as the climate warmed and the glaciers retreated, forming the Great Lakes. Evidence of the glaciers can still be seen in the island’s bedrock, as small scratches in the rock surface known as glacial striations, and in deeper glacial grooves. A small set of glacial grooves is visible in exposed bedrock near the group camp at South Bass Island, while a large tract of impressive grooves is preserved on Kelleys Island.

Overall, Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, ranging from 25 feet deep in the western basin, to 61 feet deep in the central basin and an average depth of 120 feet in the eastern basin. As a result of its unequal, shallow basin, Lake Erie is known for its sudden, violent storms with high waves. Its warm temperatures produce greater numbers and varieties of fish than any other Great Lake, including walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, white bass, and channel catfish. Annual catches nearly equal the combined catch of all other Great Lakes.

South Bass Island is dotted with collapsed caverns, which formed from the unique combination of the island’s layered dolomite bedrock, and the ever present lake water. Perry’s Cave is one of the few that has remained with its roof intact, and is one of the largest, at 200 feet long and 165 feet wide. The cave is more than 50 feet below the land surface. A rare underground lake deep within the cave rises and falls with the lake level.

The Lake Erie islands and shoreline provide precious habitat for the unique Lake Erie water snake. The eastern fox snake is common and harmless, but often mistaken for a rattlesnake because of its bold coloration and tendency to shake its tail when alarmed. The island is host to a variety of other reptiles and amphibians, including the red-eared slider, midland painted turtle, and common map turtle, and the mudpuppy and northern redback salamander.

Migrating songbirds and monarch butterflies rest here before winging across the lake. Hundreds of different bird species have been identified, making this one of the best birdwatching areas in the country. Dozens of species of migratory waterfowl also take refuge here. The bald eagle has made a dramatic comeback on Lake Erie, with several nesting pairs in the area.

The island’s shallow alkaline soils provide an ideal substrate for red cedar trees. Spring wildflowers include common species such as large-flowered trillium, bloodroot, trout lily, spring beauty, and Solomon’s seal, as well as the rare northern bog violet.

[christianstepmoms]

Presque Isle?

Presque Isle State Park (/prɛsk/) is a 3,112-acre (1,259 ha) Pennsylvania State Park on an arching, sandy peninsula that juts into Lake Erie, 4 miles (6 km) west of the city of Erie, in Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The peninsula sweeps northeastward, surrounding Presque Isle Bay along the park's southern coast. It has 13 miles (21 km) of roads, 21 miles (34 km) of recreational trails, 13 beaches for swimming, and a marina. Popular activities at the park include swimming, boating, hiking, biking, and birdwatching.

The recorded history of Presque Isle begins with the Erielhonan, a Native American tribe who gave their name to Lake Erie, and includes French, British, and American forts, as well as serving as a base for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's fleet in the War of 1812. With the growing importance of shipping on Lake Erie in the 19th century, Presque Isle became home to several lighthouses and what later became a United States Coast Guard station. In 1921, it became a state park, and as of 2007 it hosts over 4  million visitors per year, the most of any Pennsylvania state park.[2]

The Presque Isle peninsula formed on a moraine from the end of the Wisconsin glaciation and is constantly being reshaped by waves and wind. This leads to seven ecological zones within the park, which provides a classic example of ecological succession. A National Natural Landmark since 1967, the park has been named one of the best places in the United States for watching birds, particularly in the Gull Point Natural Area. The Tom Ridge Environmental Center at the entrance to the park allows visitors to learn more about the park and its ecology. Presque Isle State Park has been chosen by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Parks for its list of "25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks".[3]

Early inhabitants

Presque Isle was formed at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation about 11,000 years ago.[4] The earliest known inhabitants of the southern Lake Erie coast were the Erielhonan, also known as the "Eriez", an Iroquoian speaking tribe of Native Americans. Erielhonan meant the "Cat" or "Raccoon" people, and the name "Erie", a corruption of Erielhonan, became the name of the lake and county in which Presque Isle Park is found and of the city nearest the park.[5][6]

An Erielhonan legend taught that the Great Spirit led them to Presque Isle because of the wealth of game, the abundance of clean fresh water, and the cool breezes "coming from the land of snow and ice" (i.e. Canada). Another legend explains how the Erielhonan ventured into Lake Erie in search of the land where the sun set, but the spirit of the lake blew a fierce storm to keep them from finding it.[2] To protect the Erielhonan from the storm, their god laid his outstretched arm into the lake, giving them safety during the storm. The god's arm remained in the lake, protecting the tribe's future generations.[5]

The Erielhonan are believed to have lived and farmed on the peninsula.[4] They fought several wars, the last starting in 1653 with the Five Nations of the Iroquois. Despite initial victories over the Senecas, in 1654 the Erielhonans' largest village, Rique (at the modern city of Erie), was destroyed by 1,800 Iroquois warriors. By 1656, the Erielhonan had been destroyed as a people, although the Iroquois adopted survivors who were absorbed primarily into the Senecas.[5][6]

[sixtyfivehundredmiles]

Great Lakes Moment: Warmer, wetter, wilder

Scientists have predicted that warmer, wetter and wilder weather is coming and that this will be one of the greatest environmental challenges of the 21st Century. Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie water levels set record highs for the month of May. These high water levels are putting a human face on climate change in our region.

In Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood, Tiger Dams—flexible tubes filled with water—were installed at a cost of $2 million to protect homes from flooding.

On Belle Isle, construction of the new $1.5 million Oudolf Garden had to be delayed last year because of 100-year high water levels. The solution was to redesign it to be flood proof, including moving it further away from the riverfront and raising it by 3 feet.

In 2019, the Friends of Detroit Rowing, which leases the Belle Isle Boat House, had to move 60 weddings due to high water levels. Flooding around the Belle Isle Boat House was preventing vendors from making deliveries for weddings and they even had to build a temporary elevated sidewalk like a dock to get people into the building.

At times, water has covered the Strand near the Coast Guard station, and fish have been seen swimming across the road. Completion of a $5 million Lake Okonoka habitat restoration project had to be delayed because of record-high water levels. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who manages Belle Isle State Park, has had to invest more than $300,000 to stave off flood damage on Belle Isle.

In Wyandotte, high Detroit River water levels in 2019 caused flooding of the parking lot of The Waterfront Restaurant and Lounge, causing temporary closures. In spring of 2019, portions of Downriver received 3.6 inches of rain in a 7-hour period, causing substantial flooding of basements in Allen Park, Lincoln Park and Ecorse, resulting in substantial damage to personal belongings. In Wayne County’s Elizabeth Park, Michigan’s oldest county park, high Detroit River water levels have flooded parking lots along the canal and restricted access to a new kayak launch.

Flooding at Wayne County’s Elizabeth Park (Photo by John Hartig)

High water levels have caused property damage and increased shoreline erosion and flooding. Scientists worry that climate change is increasingly turning extraordinary into the ordinary. These warmer, wetter and wilder climate conditions will likely also result in changes to how our ecosystems function. For example, warmer lakes, tributaries and terrestrial ecosystems, reduced ice cover, and increased runoff will alter the range and distribution of certain bird and fish species, increase the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms in the western basin of Lake Erie, exacerbate wetland loss, create new threats from invasive species, diminish beach health, and in some cases displace or extirpate native species.

The Earth’s average surface temperature has risen about 0.9 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, a change driven largely by increased carbon dioxide and other human-made emissions in the atmosphere. Most of the warming has occurred in the past 35 years, with the five warmest years on record taking place since 2015. Atmospheric monitoring in the Western Lake Erie Climate Division has documented a 5.6 percent increase in precipitation since 1951 and an increase in the frequency of extreme precipitation events. Scientists predict that climate change will also result in wilder weather conditions, including more intense and frequent storms that will increase flooding and runoff, alter our ecosystems, and result in substantial social and economic impacts.

Detroit’s response

In Detroit, climate change is projected to increase the intensity and frequency of storms that will test and overwhelm the city’s infrastructure and threaten the health of residents in other ways. Flooding will continue to affect Detroit homes and streets due to projected increases in intense precipitation. Detroit is also projected to see a significant increase in very hot days, with as many as 65 days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of this century, exacerbating the burden of heat and poor air quality on the city’s most vulnerable residents.

Greenhouse gas emissions are driving global climate change, and Detroit is committed to contributing its fair share to efforts led by cities around the world in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Despite the United States pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord in 2017, over 400 U.S. mayors, representing 70 million Americans, have signed on, including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, to fight climate change and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2017, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice worked with many community, governmental, business and academic partners to develop the Detroit Climate Change Action Plan. In 2019, Detroit released its Detroit Sustainability Action Agenda, addressing climate change and other sustainability issues. On July 24, 2019, Detroit City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to greatly and swiftly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the city. The ordinance stipulates that greenhouse gas emissions from city sources will be reduced from baseline conditions by 35 percent by 2024, 75 percent by 2043 and 100 percent by 2050. It will also work towards reducing citywide emissions by 30 percent by 2025. These carbon emission reduction targets established in the ordinance are based on the standards of the Paris Climate Agreement, which looks to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

Windsor’s response

The city of Windsor committed to be a leader of climate change adaptation and mitigation through its daily actions and services. This is shown through the development of its Climate Change Adaptation Plan. In fact, Windsor was one of the first municipalities in Ontario and Canada to undertake adaptation planning. In November 2019, the city of Windsor declared a climate change emergency, acknowledging the dramatic impacts already happening and worsening in the future if things aren’t improved.

In addition to adapting to the changing climate, the city of Windsor developed a Community Energy Plan with ambitious targets to support the global effort to keep global temperature increases within 1.5 degrees Celsius. Through the implementation of this plan, the Windsor community will reduce per capita energy use and per capita CO2 emissions by 40 percent between 2014 and 2041.

Do our part

Solving climate change will take a global effort, but we all must do our part. Things that we can do include:

support the implementation of the Detroit Sustainability Action Agenda and the Detroit Climate Action Plan, and Windsor’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Community Energy Plan;

practice energy conservation in our homes and businesses;

perform an energy audit of our home or place of work;

walk, cycle, carpool or take a bus instead of driving;

consider an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid;

promote and use renewable energy; and

remind our elected officials that we must care for the place we call home and ensure that it is a gift to our children and grandchildren.

Published July 6, 2020 By: John Hartig

(source: Great Lakes Now)

[fatehbaz]

“Urban Ecology and Animism in the Landscape of the Great Lakes”: An interview on decay, restoration, bioregionalism, and “ecological citizenship” in the Midwest

From 26 December 2018, Belt Magazine. Excerpts:

Authors Matt Stansberry and Gavin Van Horn recently published books on the urban wildlife of the Great Lakes region (Rust Belt Arcana: Tarot and Natural History in the Exurban Wilds by Belt Publishing, and The Way of the Coyote: Shared Journeys in the Urban Wilds by University of Chicago Press, respectively). In this wide-ranging conversation, Stansberry and Van Horn discuss the overlaps in each other’s books and the progress, challenges, and joys of living with and writing about nature in the industrial Midwest.

GVH: Some of the book is about holding on to what remains, trying to live in a way that allows others to live (such as when you write about box turtles or salamanders). But there are also expressions of hope in the book, particularly when it comes to meeting people who are hard at work on restoration projects. I’m thinking here of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s work at Mentor Marsh, and also the lessons you glean from Tim Jasinski of Lights Out Cleveland. Could you tell us a little bit about those projects? And perhaps the strides you see in the Rust Belt to respond with care to the land and water, which you call “holy work”?

MS: Those two chapters show different approaches to dealing with our impacts on wildlife. The first chapter you reference, “Temperance,” explores the effort needed to restore one of Lake Erie’s largest wetlands back into a functioning ecosystem. It’s inspiring because of how daunting the task must have seemed—to try to remove hundreds of acres of nearly impervious invasive reeds. After years of sustained, systematic effort and investment, we are seeing a return of biodiversity to this site.

-

GVH: You end with “The World” card and reflections on what E.O. Wilson has called the “Age of Loneliness” (the Eremozoic Era). After detailing the historic superabundance of biological life in Ohio, you say, “I want to leave you with the impression that our home has a potential to be one of the wildest, most fecund places on the planet… I tell you these things to repeat the names, so that you know that they are there. …There is still plenty of time to roll in the dirt in a forest. Stare out at Lake Erie. Listen to the wind. Don’t live separately from the world. Don’t despair.” What kinds of practices would you recommend for connecting to the magic of the everyday? 

MS: So you mention a bunch of good ideas right there. Roll in the dirt. Stare at the lake. Since finishing the book, I’ve read The Enchanted Life by Sharon Blackie, and it’s full of so many brilliant ideas that I’ve been trying, ways to make myself more grounded in the place where I live. We can learn the myths of our home regions, draw big maps of the places we live and hike, plant gardens with native species, craft objects and food out of the plants around us, name the species of birds, start re-enchanting the landscape.

I see a lot of overlaps in our work as well. For example, both of our books center around the study of urban wildlife, animals in the city. You write: ���When the city presses in upon me, coyotes remind me of the vitality that weaves its way between the buildings. Humans may often disregard, displace, and disrupt other kinds of animal life, but the anima of what we now call Chicago is not gone. The coyotes keep it flowing; they keep going along, beckoning us toward greater fidelity with our non-human kin. Lead on coyotes. Show what a city can be.”

Engaging with urban wildlife is not something you expected to be doing, and not something historically that has been of interest to the science/naturalist community. What do you learn from studying city creatures that you don’t learn in more rural or wild environments?

GVH: A city constitutes one portion of a landscape continuum. Occasionally in the book, I venture outside of city limits, acknowledging that many species don’t do well in smaller patches of habitat and with human presence (hell, I don’t do well with continual human presence). Yet my focus is on “ordinary” and close-to-home creatures as amazing expressions of life, worthy of our fascination and attention. Familiarity need not breed contempt. Familiarity can be a portal into our most intimate and meaningful relationships. Several essays feature ecologists and biologists who are turning back toward the city with curiosity and scientific rigor, seeking to counter the story of urban nature as less-than-worthy. I suppose I’m doing something similar with my writing.

MS: In one of my favorite essays, “De los pajaritos del monte” you marvel at your friend’s lifelong connection—physical, familial, cultural—to a landscape. You’ve moved around the country, the same way I have, and seem to struggle with that rootlessness. I think we both envy what your friend has with his home landscape. Can you write your way into place? Is even one lifetime enough to get rooted?

GVH: One lifetime, so far as I know, is all we’ve got, so I hope that’s enough to actualize one’s ecological citizenship. As you know, this book was part of my own process of adapting to life in an urban area. Writing is a way to further deepen the bonds of memory, to invite others (and perhaps yourself) to see the world from a fresh perspective. It’s an alchemical process—to transform experience into ink, and then for readers to permit those words to conjure new worlds in their imaginations. And the hope is that those stories, then, shape how a person moves through the landscape and the way they value it.

But the question of roots is one that haunts me a bit, in all honesty. I’m a person that has lived in many places. Some of us are more nomadic in spirit; some landscapes make our hearts sing more than others. What if a person feels displaced—like a plant outside of the microbiome to which it is most suited—and no amount of spiritual equanimity or sheer amount of time spent in a place can create a sense of at-homeness? (...)

MS: You have a chapter exploring Aldo Leopold’s concept of the numenon of the north woods, the ruffed grouse. You suggest Chicago’s numenon is the Night Heron? What’s a numenon and what’s a night heron?

GVH: As one young man who does ecological restoration work on the South Side of the city told me, “It’s a getting better Chicago.” He’s right. A lot of Midwestern cities, like Chicago, are in what is sometimes called a post-industrial phase. (...) [But] the recovery is tangible ...

-

Read more.

[lethendralis-paints]

OC Interview: Eris Hawke

The rules: Answer the following questions as your OC of choice.

Felt inspired by @pikapeppa ‘s double interview with her Rynne Hawke and Fenris the Inquisitor, so i desided to try it for my Eris Hawke. Sorry in advance for the English language being tortured, i’m very clearly not a native speaker.

Eris Hawke, an apostate force mage, magical theory researcher (following Malcom Hawke’s steps), Champion of Kirkwall etc. etc., accompanied by the ever mysterious elven warrior named Fenris have been cornered by an incessant Orlesian journalist at Château Haine and sat down in a secluded garden alcove for an interview. Imagine Eris Hawke and Fenris as a Smoked Boulevardier coctail, where Hawke is the  Bulleit Rye Whiskey and Fenris is the flamed orange peel. 

1. What’s your name?

Eris Hawke. A pleasure to meet you!

2. Do you know why you are named that?

My parents were feeling inspired by ancient Tevinter mythology, or so it would seem.

3. Are you single or taken?

[Fenris lifts one dark eyebrow and carefully glances to Hawke’s side] 

Taken, smitten, conquered and all the other heavy-handed battle metaphors you can come up with for being in love. 

[Certain pointy ears turn red on the side]

4. Have any abilities or powers?

I don’t want to bore you with this. To put it plainly i am a force mage.

5. Stop being a Mary Sue.

Do i present myself as such? The long lists of my mishaps back home suggest otherwise.

6. What’s your eye color?

Grey.

7. How about your hair color?

I’m very obviously a brunette. It’s an Orlesian word, you should know it.

 [Fenris notices Hawke developing that annoyed crease between her brows, though on the whole she still maintains a façade of polite attentiveness]

8. Have any family members?

If you mean any blood relatives, only my brother and uncle. I personally think that we choose our family. Fenris and my friends back in Kirkwall are my family. My mabari hound, Maric, is my family.

[Hawke gets a slightly haunted look in her eyes. Fenris carefully takes her hand and holds it between them, rubbing gentle circles with his thumb]

9. Oh? How about any pets?

If i’m lucky, i’ll return home with a pet wyvern, who knows! It’s the closest substitute for a pet dragon i can think of! [smiles broadly]

10. That’s cool, I guess. Now tell me something you don’t like.

People choosing to remain willfully ignorant when having all the knowledge at their fingertips [throws a surprisingly hard glare towards the interviewer]. Also plain unimaginitive evil. 

[Feris smiles sardonically]

11. Do you have any activities/hobbies that you like to do?

Reading, painting, taking long walks, nothing earth-shattering. 

12. Have you hurt anyone in any way before?

Yes, both deliberately and unintentionally.

[the journalist starts to fidget]

13. Ever… killed anyone before?

Yes. [sighes]

I’m pretty sure we were discussing cute pets just a moment ago. How did that question found it’s way there? [strained smile]

14. What kind of animal are you?

I...i don’t know. Fenris?

Hmmm.... you are no mindless animal, that is for sure. But you do resemble a proud bird of prey. [smiles gently]

[Hawke blushes]

15. Name your worst habits?

I’m rather short-tempered and quick to judge sometimes. As for what else...

[Fenris adds with a smile: She gets ink stains on her forehead at least twice a month from falling asleep at her worktable]

I...whaaa? I do not!!!

[Fenris smile broadly, tries to cover it]

16. Do you look up to anyone at all?

My parents always. My friends certainly make me a better person. Fenris is the one i admire the most and i strive to be as brave, loyal and strong in my principles as he is.

[Hawke you... blushes to the tips of his ears.. (the adds quitely) Thank you, Eris]

17. Are you gay, straight or bisexual?

I’m attracted to only one isanely smart person with a deliciously dry humour. Make of that what you will. [winks at the elf]

18. Do you go to school?

I’m in my 30′s, to the Void with that! Though i support the thought that you should continue learning your whole life. Once you stop gaining knowledge and undestanding, you’re as good as dead.

19. Ever want to marry and have any kids one day?

Well, that’s gone very personal very quickly. I’ll have to ask a certain elf about that. [smiles shyly at Fenris, Fenris chockes on his saliva, starts to cough]

20. Do you have any fangirls/fanboys?

Maker, i hope not!

21. What are you most afraid of?

Losing sanity.

22. What do you usually wear?

A variation of what i’m wearing today. I like comfort and freedom of movement. [Hawke wears suede pants, a doublet with a velvet cape, knee-high riding boots and carries a rather large knapsack]

23. What one food tempts you?

What was that Antivan smoked meat we tried? [glances at Fenris]

[i think it was called carpaccio i liked it too]

24. Am I annoying you?

Do you want an honest answer or a poilte one? [smiles mischievously]

25. Well, it’s still not over!

Eris suppresses a sigh, forces a polite little smile to her face.

26. What class are you (low/middle/high)?

I’m a citizen of a free city state of Kirkwall, heir of the house of Amell, but also a farmer refugee from Ferelden. What does that make me?

27. How many friends do you have?

A handful. they are my family and i would die for them. 

28. What are your thoughts on pie?

If it’s flying towards my face then my thoughs would be not suitable for print. [smirks]

[Fenris  chuckles]

29. Favourite drink?

Almost any bitter liqueur would do, i’m a simple girl to please! Though lately i am partial to full-bodied Tevinter wines, courtesy of this man here [points at the elf]

30. What’s your favourite place?

My library back home [smiles dreamily]

31. Are you interested in anyone?

What do you mean, exactly? I’m interested in anyone able to hold an intelligent conversation. If you mean romantically, then this man here forever holds my interest. [pokes Fenris in the shoulder guard]

[The elf rolls his eyes but is obviously very pleased]

32. That was a stupid question…

You think? [sarcasm starts to show in Hawke’s voice, she’s had about enough]

33. Would you rather swim in the lake or the ocean?

You do like to jump between subjects, I see! Both, actually.

34. What’s your type?

Type of what, exactly? Oh, you won’t elaborate? Then i shall answer as i see fit. My type is firm, smelly, with a tear. And i mean cheese, of course! [smirks]

35. Any fetishes?

I am not going to share THIS with the public. I have an image to uphold, you know! [Fenris hides a knowing smirk]

36. Camping indoors or outdoors?

Now you’re being deliberately obtuse! [takes a deep breath] I’m sorry, that was rather rude of me. I don’t like camping, actually.That’s the last question? Thank the Maker! I mean, it was a pleasure to chat with you, but we really have to go. It would be so impolite to have Duke Prosper miss our presence, we are his guests after all!

 [grabs Fenris’ hand in a tight grip and they walk away as fast as they can, trying not to look as if they are running away from the Orlesian]

[nbatrades]

Memphis Grizzlies Acquire Tyler Dorsey from Atlanta

On February 7th, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies traded guard Shelvin Mack to the Atlanta Hawks for guard Tyler Dorsey.

The Atlanta Hawks were unknowingly undergoing the early stages of a rebuild. Key players such as All-Star Paul Millsap and Tim Hardaway were entering free agency. At 43-39 in the 2016-17 regular season, the Hawks had bowed out of the playoffs early, losing to the Washington Wizards 4-2 in the first round.

Atlanta selected forward John Collins in the first round, but had the 41st pick in the second round after a trade involving Dwight Howard with the Charlotte Hornets. The Hawks selected Oregon shooting guard Tyler Dorsey with that pick. An elite shooter in college, Dorsey was fresh off of an NCAA Tournament run that saw him lead the Mighty Ducks to the Final Four. In five tournament games, Dorsey averaged 23.8 PPG while shooting 59.7% overall and 58.6% from three.

Known as a shot maker, there were still questions if Dorsey’s shooting ability in college could translate to the NBA. At 6′4″, Dorsey lacked the length to contend with many wings around the NBA. He wasn’t exceptionally strong or athletic. In 2017 Summer League, Dorsey struggled. In three games, he put up 2.7 PPG on 36.4% shooting in 12.4 MPG. After Summer League, Dorsey signed a two-year guaranteed contract for the minimum with Atlanta.

The Hawks were expected to be one of the worst teams in Dorsey’s rookie season, and lived up to those expectations. The team began the year 3-15, and never bounced back. The Hawks finished the 2017-18 season with a 24-58 record.

Dorsey spent much of the first half of the season in the NBA G-League with the Erie Bayhawks. He was assigned by the Hawks four times from November to January. In 10 contests (eight starts) with Erie, Dorsey amassed 19.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.5 APG and 1.4 SPG in 33.0 MPG.

After only playing in 11 of the team’s first 37 games, Dorsey appeared in the final 45 games. Towards the end of the 2017-18 season, the Hawks had fully embraced their rebuild. Veteran wing Kent Bazemore was out for the season with a right knee injury and guard Marco Belinelli was bought out of his contract. These two situations opened up room for Dorsey to play much of the final two months. 

In Dorsey’s final 19 games, he produced 11.9 PPG on 39.9% from the field and 38.2% from three in 25.4 MPG. Overall, Dorsey finished the season with a stat line of 7.2 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 56 games and 17.4 MPG.

In the 2018 offseason, the Hawks struck big in the draft. The team acquired incoming point guard Trae Young through a draft night deal with the Dallas Mavericks, and also added two-guard Kevin Huerter and big man Omari Spellman with later first round selections. Besides dealing point guard Dennis Schröder to Oklahoma City, the Hawks made small moves, acquiring Alex Len and Vince Carter in free agency.

Dorsey’s second go around in Summer League was much more productive, but the guard still lacked efficiency on offense. He played five Summer League games (three in Salt Lake City and two in Las Vegas) where he managed 17.6 PPG on 36.5% from the field and 37.5% from the three-point line. Dorsey also finished with 7.6 RPG, 3.0 APG and 1.4 SPG in 29.6 MPG.

Kevin Huerter’s presence as the future two-guard of the Hawks and a healthy DeAndre’ Bembry returning limited Dorsey’s role in his second season. He saw playing time in just 10 of the team’s first 20 games. Dorsey did play one game (36 points, 11 rebounds and five assists) for the Bayhawks in the G-League. The season would continue like this, until Dorsey’s eventual departure via a trade that he requested. Seeing a potential opportunity to tryout other players, Atlanta dealt Dorsey to the Memphis Grizzlies. Dorsey had appeared in 27 games with Atlanta, averaging 3.3 PPG, 1.6 RPG and 0.6 APG in 9.3 MPG.

Dorsey ended his time in Atlanta with a stat line of 6.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG and 1.2 APG in 83 contests. The California native shot 37% from the field, 34% from three and 68% from the charity stripe.

Shelvin Mack was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2018 offseason. The journeyman point guard was brought in to backup star Mike Conley. Mack also had the strength and size to play at times in a two-point guard lineup alongside Conley.

With the duo of Conley and Marc Gasol healthy early on, the Grizzlies had a strong 12-5 start and had playoff hopes. From November 23-February 1, the Grizzlies fell apart, going 8-28. The rebuild began in Memphis as the team looked to deal veterans on the team. 

A steady player, Mack was solid in Memphis, putting up 7.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 3.4 APG and 0.8 SPG in 53 games and 22.7 MPG. Though he put up numbers, the Grizzlies were outscored mightily when Mack played. He had the second worst net rating (-7.8 points per 100 possessions) of any Grizzly that played at least 400 minutes.

Gasol was traded to the Toronto Raptors, signaling the end of the Grit and Grind era in Memphis. Conley was nearly dealt, and veterans Garrett Temple and JaMychal Green were moved to Los Angeles. In a minor deal, the team moved the experienced Mack to the Hawks to take a look at Dorsey. 

The deadline deal was one of two Hawks deals at the deadline. Atlanta had acquired guard Jabari Bird from the Boston Celtics. Actually, a complication arose for Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk because of the Hawks trying to fit in the two deals. They were supposed to waive Mack immediately, but due to a time issue, were unable to waive Mack as soon as initially expected. (via The Athletic)

“To explain the Hamilton situation quickly: General manager Travis Schlenk agreed to deal Dorsey to Memphis for former Hawks guard Shelvin Mack. Schlenk also had a deal in place with Boston to acquire Jabari Bird and $1 million for a heavily protected second-round pick. The Grizzlies deal was called in at 2:30 p.m. and had not been accepted by the league by the time Schlenk sent in the Celtics trade. The sequencing was thrown off so when the Celtics trade was accepted, the team was over the roster limit, and thus Hamilton had to be waived. Mack and Bird were immediately waived, too.”

The Hawks eventually waived Mack after the trade. He was claimed off of waivers by the Charlotte Hornets.

Dorsey spent time with the Grizzlies and their G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. In four G-League games, Dorsey was productive, managing 24.3 PPG on 50.8% shooting and 38.7% from three, 5.5 RPG and 4.3 APG in four contests.

Dorsey’s run with the Grizzlies was essentially a tryout. Memphis was in full on tank mode, sitting star Mike Conley occasionally. With other key veterans Jonas Valanciunas and Avery Bradley also out at times, inexperienced players like Dorsey were given a chance to receive premium minutes towards the end of the season. 

Memphis finished the season 33-49. Dorsey played serious minutes down the stretch for Memphis. In 21 games, Dorsey made 11 starts and averaged 9.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 1.9 APG in 21.3 MPG. He had his moments, including a 29-point, nine-assist explosion against the Orlando Magic in late-March.

In the 2019 offseason, the Grizzlies declined to make a qualifying offer to Dorsey in the offseason, making the guard an unrestricted free agent. Though they expressed mild interest, the Grizzlies never re-signed Dorsey. He ended up moving overseas, signing a deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Premier League and the EuroLeague.

Tyler Dorsey on the opportunity to be on the same team as former Oregon Mighty Ducks college teammate Dillon Brooks (via Memphis Commercial Appeal):

“I’m excited to see my boy, even though he’s going to be hurt the rest of the season. I don’t get a chance to really play with him, but just to be around him every day when we’re at home and seeing him is great, because he’s pretty much one of my best friends with college.”

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace on Dorsey (via Memphis Commercial Appeal):

“He’s a player we liked when we were scouting Dillon at Oregon. He’s a young guy. We’ll get a free look at him. He’ll obviously play some with the Hustle down in Southaven.”

Related Tweets:

pic.twitter.com/WY8ZQ6sfpQ

— Tyler Dorsey (@TDORSEY_1)

February 8, 2019

#GrindCity

— Tyler Dorsey (@TDORSEY_1)

February 8, 2019

Image via Getty Images/Harry Aaron

[keyonsketches]

"white-throated sparrows" watercolor by Keyon aka Kirsten Dennis; 18"x24"; part of "native birds of the lake Erie area" series

Close up, I'm so proud of this bird's eye *pats on back*

Process shots

[askthefed]

Yes I did copy paste it

Anyways

Michigan (/ˈmɪʃɪɡən/ (audio speaker iconlisten)) is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. Its name derives from a gallicized variant of the original Ojibwe word ᒥᓯᑲᒥ (mishigami),[7] meaning 'large water' or 'large lake'.[2][8] With a population of nearly 10.1 million and a total area of nearly 97,000 sq mi (250,000 km2), Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the largest by area east of the Mississippi River.[b] Its capital is Lansing, and its largest city is Detroit. Metro Detroit is among the nation's most populous and largest metropolitan economies.

Michigan

State

State of Michigan

Flag of Michigan

Flag

Official seal of Michigan

Seal

Nickname(s): "The Great Lake State",[1] "The Wolverine State", "The Mitten State", "Water (Winter) Wonderland"

Motto(s): Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice

(English: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you")

Anthem: "My Michigan"

Map of the United States with Michigan highlighted

Map of the United States with Michigan highlighted

Country

United States

Before statehood

Michigan Territory

Admitted to the Union

January 26, 1837 (26th)

Capital

Lansing

Largest city

Detroit

Largest metro and urban areas

Detroit

Government

• Governor

Gretchen Whitmer (D)

• Lieutenant Governor

Garlin Gilchrist (D)

Legislature

Michigan Legislature

• Upper house

Senate

• Lower house

House of Representatives

Judiciary

Michigan Supreme Court

U.S. senators

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Gary Peters (D)

U.S. House delegation

7 Democrats

7 Republicans (list)

Area

• Total

96,716 sq mi (250,493 km2)

Area rank

11th

Dimensions

• Length

456[2] mi (734 km)

• Width

386[2] mi (621 km)

Elevation

900 ft (270 m)

Highest elevation (Mount Arvon[3][a])

1,979 ft (603 m)

Lowest elevation (Lake Erie[3][a])

571 ft (174 m)

Population (2020)

• Total

10,077,331[4]

• Rank

10th

• Density

174/sq mi (67.1/km2)

• Density rank

17th

• Median household income

$54,909[5]

• Income rank

34th

Demonym(s)

Michigander, Michiganian, Yooper (Upper Peninsula)[6]

Language

• Official language

None (English, de facto)

• Spoken language

English 91.11%

Spanish 2.93%

Arabic 1.04%

Other 4.92%

Time zones

most of state

UTC−05:00 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−04:00 (EDT)

4 U.P. counties (Gogebic, Iron, Dickinson, and Menominee)

UTC−06:00 (Central)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−05:00 (CDT)

USPS abbreviation

MI

ISO 3166 code

US-MI

Traditional abbreviation

Mich.

Latitude

41°41′ N to 48°18′ N

Longitude

82°7′ W to 90°25′ W

Website

www.michigan.gov

Michigan state symbols

Living insignia

Bird

American robin (Turdus migratorius)

Fish

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Flower

Apple blossom (Malus domestica)

Wildflower: Dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris)

Mammal

Unofficial: Wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus)

Game animal: White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Reptile

Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

Tree

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus)

Inanimate insignia

Fossil

Mastodon (Mammut americanum)

Gemstone

Isle Royale greenstone

Rock

Petoskey stone

Soil

Kalkaska sand

State route marker

Michigan state route marker

State quarter

Michigan quarter dollar coin

Released in 2004

Lists of United States state symbols

Michigan is the only state to consist of two peninsulas. The Lower Peninsula is shaped like a mitten. The Upper Peninsula (often called "the U.P.") is separated from the Lower Peninsula by the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile (8 km) channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge connects the peninsulas. Michigan has the longest freshwater coastline of any political subdivision in the world, being bordered by four of the five Great Lakes, plus Lake St. Clair.[9] It also has 64,980 inland lakes and ponds.[10] Michigan has the second-most water of any state, behind only Alaska.[11]

The area was first occupied by a succession of Native American tribes over thousands of years. Inhabited by natives, Métis, and French explorers in the 17th century, it was claimed as part of the New France colony. After France's defeat in the French and Indian War in 1762, the region came under British rule. Britain ceded the territory to the newly independent United States after Britain's defeat in the American Revolutionary War. The area was part of the larger Northwest Territory until 1800, when western Michigan became part of the Indiana Territory. Michigan Territory was formed in 1805, but some of the northern border with Canada was not agreed upon until after the War of 1812. Michigan was admitted into the Union in 1837 as the 26th state, a free one. It soon became an important center of industry and trade in the Great Lakes region and a popular émigré destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; immigration from many European countries to Michigan was also the busiest at that time, especially for those who emigrated from Finland, Macedonia and the Netherlands.[12]

Although Michigan developed a diverse economy, it is widely known as the center of the U.S. automotive industry, which developed as a major economic force in the early 20th century. It is home to the country's three major automobile companies (whose headquarters are all in Metro Detroit). While sparsely populated, the Upper Peninsula is important for tourism due to its abundance of natural resources,[13][14] while the Lower Peninsula is a center of manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, services, and high-tech industry.

History

See also: Timeline of Michigan history and History of Michigan

When the first European explorers arrived, the most populous tribes were Algonquian peoples, which include the Anishinaabe groups of Ojibwe, Odaawaa/Odawa (Ottawa), and the Boodewaadamii/Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi). The three nations co-existed peacefully as part of a loose confederation called the Council of Three Fires. The Ojibwe, whose numbers are estimated to have been between 25,000 and 35,000, were the largest.

The Ojibwe were established in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and northern and central Michigan, and also inhabited Ontario and southern Manitoba, Canada; and northern Wisconsin, and northern and north-central Minnesota. The Ottawa lived primarily south of the Straits of Mackinac in northern, western and southern Michigan, but also in southern Ontario, northern Ohio and eastern Wisconsin. The Potawatomi were in southern and western Michigan, in addition to northern and central Indiana, northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and southern Ontario. Other Algonquian tribes in Michigan, in the south and east, were the Mascouten, the Menominee, the Miami, the Sac (or Sauk), and the Meskwaki (Fox). The Wyandot were an Iroquoian-speaking people in this area; they were historically known as the Huron by the French.

17th century

Main articles: New France and Canada (New France)

Père Marquette and the Indians (1869) by Wilhelm Lamprecht

French voyageurs and coureurs des bois explored and settled in Michigan in the 17th century. The first Europeans to reach what became Michigan were those of Étienne Brûlé's expedition in 1622. The first permanent European settlement was founded in 1668 on the site where Père Jacques Marquette established Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, as a base for Catholic missions.[15][16] Missionaries in 1671–75 founded outlying stations at Saint Ignace and Marquette. Jesuit missionaries were well received by the area's Indian populations, with few difficulties or hostilities. In 1679, Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle built Fort Miami at present-day St. Joseph. In 1691, the French established a trading post and Fort St. Joseph along the St. Joseph River at the present-day city of Niles.

18th century

Main articles: French and Indian War, Treaty of Paris (1763), Province of Quebec (1763–1791), Indian Reserve (1763), American Revolutionary War, Treaty of Paris (1783), Northwest Ordinance, and Northwest Territory

Approximate area of Michigan highlighted in Guillaume de L'Isle's 1718 map

In 1701, French explorer and army officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit or "Fort Pontchartrain on-the-Strait" on the strait, known as the Detroit River, between lakes Saint Clair and Erie. Cadillac had convinced King Louis XIV's chief minister, Louis Phélypeaux, Comte de Pontchartrain, that a permanent community there would strengthen French control over the upper Great Lakes and discourage British aspirations.

The hundred soldiers and workers who accompanied Cadillac built a fort enclosing one arpent[17][18] (about 0.85 acres (3,400 m2), the equivalent of just under 200 feet (61 m) per side) and named it Fort Pontchartrain. Cadillac's wife, Marie Thérèse Guyon, soon moved to Detroit, becoming one of the first European women to settle in what was considered the wilderness of Michigan. The town quickly became a major fur-trading and shipping post. The Église de Saint-Anne (Church of Saint Ann) was founded the same year. While the original building does not survive, the congregation remains active. Cadillac later departed to serve as the French governor of Louisiana from 1710 to 1716. French attempts to consolidate the fur trade led to the Fox Wars involving the Meskwaki (Fox) and their allies versus the French and their Native allies.

At the same time, the French strengthened Fort Michilimackinac at the Straits of Mackinac to better control their lucrative fur-trading empire. By the mid-18th century, the French also occupied forts at present-day Niles and Sault Ste. Marie, though most of the rest of the region remained unsettled by Europeans. France offered free land to attract families to Detroit, which grew to 800 people in 1765, and was the largest city between Montreal and New Orleans.[19] French settlers also established small farms south of the Detroit River opposite the fort, near a Jesuit mission and Huron village.

The Province of Quebec in 1774

From 1660 until the end of French rule, Michigan was part of the Royal Province of New France.[c] In 1760, Montreal fell to the British forces ending the French and Indian War (1754–1763). Under the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Michigan and the rest of New France east of the Mississippi River passed to Great Britain.[20] After the Quebec Act was passed in 1774, Michigan became part of the British Province of Quebec. By 1778, Detroit's population was up to 2,144 and it was the third-largest city in Quebec.[21]

During the American Revolutionary War, Detroit was an important British supply center. Most of the inhabitants were French-Canadians or Native Americans, many of whom had been allied with the French because of long trading ties. Because of imprecise cartography and unclear language defining the boundaries in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the British retained control of Detroit and Michigan after the American Revolution. When Quebec split into Lower and Upper Canada in 1791, Michigan was part of Kent County, Upper Canada. It held its first democratic elections in August 1792 to send delegates to the new provincial parliament at Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake).[22]

Under terms negotiated in the 1794 Jay Treaty, Britain withdrew from Detroit and Michilimackinac in 1796. It retained control of territory east and south of the Detroit River, which are now included in Ontario, Canada. Questions remained over the boundary for many years, and the United States did not have uncontested control of the Upper Peninsula and Drummond Island until 1818 and 1847, respectively.

19th century

Main articles: Indiana Territory, Organic act § List of organic acts, Michigan Territory, Admission to the Union, List of U.S. states by date of admission to the Union, and Michigan in the American Civil War

Territorial changes of the Michigan Territory from 1818 to 1836

During the War of 1812, the United States forces at Fort Detroit surrendered Michigan Territory (effectively consisting of Detroit and the surrounding area) after a nearly bloodless siege in 1812. A US attempt to retake Detroit resulted in a severe American defeat in the River Raisin Massacre. This battle, still ranked as the bloodiest ever fought in the state, had the highest number of American casualties of any battle in the war.

Battle of Lake Erie by William Henry Powell, painted 1865

Michigan was recaptured by the Americans in 1813 after the Battle of Lake Erie. They used Michigan as a base to launch an invasion of Canada, which culminated in the Battle of the Thames. But the more northern areas of Michigan were held by the British until the peace treaty restored the old boundaries. A number of forts, including Fort Wayne, were built by the United States in Michigan during the 19th century out of fears of renewed fighting with Britain.

Michigan Territory governor and judges established the University of Michigan in 1817, as the Catholepistemiad, or the University of Michigania.

The population grew slowly until the opening in 1825 of the Erie Canal through the Mohawk Valley in New York, connecting the Great Lakes to the Hudson River and New York City. The new route attracted a large influx of settlers to the Michigan territory. They worked as farmers, lumbermen, shipbuilders, and merchants and shipped out grain, lumber, and iron ore. By the 1830s, Michigan had 80,000 residents, more than enough to apply and qualify for statehood.

A Constitutional Convention of Assent was held to lead the territory to statehood.[23] In October 1835 the people approved the Constitution of 1835, thereby forming a state government, although Congressional recognition was delayed pending resolution of a boundary dispute with Ohio known as the Toledo War. Congress awarded the "Toledo Strip" to Ohio. Michigan received the western part of the Upper Peninsula as a concession and formally entered the Union as a free state on January 26, 1837. The Upper Peninsula proved to be a rich source of lumber, iron, and copper. Michigan led the nation in lumber production from the 1850s to the 1880s. Railroads became a major engine of growth from the 1850s onward, with Detroit the chief hub.

A second wave of French-Canadian immigrants settled in Michigan during the late 19th to early 20th century, working in lumbering areas in counties on the Lake Huron side of the Lower Peninsula, such as the Saginaw Valley, Alpena, and Cheboygan counties, as well as throughout the Upper Peninsula, with large concentrations in Escanaba and the Keweenaw Peninsula.[24] This was also a period of development of the gypsum industry in Alabaster, Michigan, which became nationally prominent.

The first statewide meeting of the Republican Party took place July 6, 1854, in Jackson, Michigan, where the party adopted its platform. The state was heavily Republican until the 1930s. Michigan made a significant contribution to the Union in the American Civil War and sent more than forty regiments of volunteers to the federal armies.

Michigan modernized and expanded its system of education in this period. The Michigan State Normal School, now Eastern Michigan University, was founded in 1849, for the training of teachers. It adopted this model from the German educational system. In 1899, Michigan State became the first normal college in the nation to offer a four-year curriculum. Michigan Agricultural College (1855), now Michigan State University in East Lansing, was founded as the pioneer land-grant college, a model for those authorized under the Morrill Act (1862). Many private colleges were founded as well, and the smaller cities established high schools late in the century.[25]

20th and 21st centuries

Michigan's economy underwent a transformation at the turn of the 20th century. Many individuals, including Ransom E. Olds, John and Horace Dodge, Henry Leland, David Dunbar Buick, Henry Joy, Charles King, and Henry Ford, provided the concentration of engineering know-how and technological enthusiasm to develop the automotive industry.[26] Ford's development of the moving assembly line in Highland Park marked a new era in transportation. Like the steamship and railroad, mass production of automobiles was a far-reaching development. More than the forms of public transportation, the affordable automobile transformed private life. Automobile production became the major industry of Detroit and Michigan, and permanently altered the socioeconomic life of the United States and much of the world.

With the growth, the auto industry created jobs in Detroit that attracted immigrants from Europe and migrants from across the United States, including both blacks and whites from the rural South. By 1920, Detroit was the fourth-largest city in the US. Residential housing was in short supply, and it took years for the market to catch up with the population boom. By the 1930s, so many immigrants had arrived that more than 30 languages were spoken in the public schools, and ethnic communities celebrated in annual heritage festivals. Over the years immigrants and migrants contributed greatly to Detroit's diverse urban culture, including popular music trends. The influential Motown Sound of the 1960s was led by a variety of individual singers and groups.

Grand Rapids, the second-largest city in Michigan, is also an important center of manufacturing. Since 1838, the city has been noted for its furniture industry. In the 21st century, it is home to five of the world's leading office furniture companies. Grand Rapids is home to a number of major companies including Steelcase, Amway, and Meijer. Grand Rapids is also an important center for GE Aviation Systems.

Michigan held its first United States presidential primary election in 1910. With its rapid growth in industry, it was an important center of industry-wide union organizing, such as the rise of the United Auto Workers.

In 1920 WWJ (AM) in Detroit became the first radio station in the United States to regularly broadcast commercial programs. Throughout that decade, some of the country's largest and most ornate skyscrapers were built in the city. Particularly noteworthy are the Fisher Building, Cadillac Place, and the Guardian Building, each of which has been designated as a National Historic Landmark (NHL).

In 1927 a school bombing took place in Clinton County. The Bath School disaster, perpetrated by an adult man, resulted in the deaths of 38 schoolchildren and constitutes the deadliest mass murder in a school in U.S. history.

Detroit in the mid-twentieth century. At the time, the city was the fourth largest U.S. metropolis by population, and held about one-third of the state's population.

Michigan converted much of its manufacturing to satisfy defense needs during World War II; it manufactured 10.9 percent of the United States military armaments produced during the war, ranking second (behind New York) among the 48 states.[27]

Detroit continued to expand through the 1950s, at one point doubling its population in a decade. After World War II, housing was developed in suburban areas outside city cores to meet demand for residences. The federal government subsidized the construction of interstate highways, which were intended to strengthen military access, but also allowed commuters and business traffic to travel the region more easily. Since 1960, modern advances in the auto industry have led to increased automation, high-tech industry, and increased suburban growth.

Michigan is the leading auto-producing state in the US, with the industry primarily located throughout the Midwestern United States; Ontario, Canada; and the Southern United States.[28] With almost ten million residents, Michigan is a large and influential state, ranking tenth in population among the fifty states. Detroit is the centrally located metropolitan area of the Great Lakes Megalopolis and the second-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. (after Chicago) linking the Great Lakes system.

The Metro Detroit area in Southeast Michigan is the state's largest metropolitan area (roughly 50% of the population resides there) and the eleventh largest in the United States. The Grand Rapids metropolitan area in Western Michigan is the state's fastest-growing metro area, with more than 1.3 million residents as of 2006. Metro Detroit receives more than 15 million visitors each year. Michigan has many popular tourist destinations, including areas such as Frankenmuth in The Thumb, and Traverse City on the Grand Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan. Tourists spend about $17 billion annually in Michigan supporting 193,000 jobs.[29]

Michigan typically ranks third or fourth in overall Research & development (R&D) expenditures in the US.[30][31] The state's leading research institutions include the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, which are important partners in the state's economy and the state's University Research Corridor.[32] Michigan's public universities attract more than $1.5 B in research and development grants each year.[33] Agriculture also serves a significant role, making the state a leading grower of fruit in the US, including blueberries, cherries, apples, grapes, and peaches.[34]

Government

See also: List of Governors of Michigan and United States congressional delegations from Michigan

State government

Main article: Government of Michigan

The Michigan State Capitol in Lansing houses the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of Michigan.

Michigan is governed as a republic, with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of Michigan and the other independently elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the House of Representatives and Senate; and the judicial branch. The Michigan Constitution allows for the direct participation of the electorate by statutory initiative and referendum, recall, and constitutional initiative and referral (Article II, § 9,[35] defined as "the power to propose laws and to enact and reject laws, called the initiative, and the power to approve or reject laws enacted by the legislature, called the referendum. The power of initiative extends only to laws which the legislature may enact under this constitution"). Lansing is the state capital and is home to all three branches of state government.

The floor of the Michigan House of Representatives

The governor and the other state constitutional officers serve four-year terms and may be re-elected only once. The current governor is Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan has two official Governor's Residences; one is in Lansing, and the other is at Mackinac Island. The other constitutionally elected executive officers are the lieutenant governor, who is elected on a joint ticket with the governor, the secretary of state, and the attorney general. The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate (voting only in case of a tie) and is also a member of the cabinet. The secretary of state is the chief elections officer and is charged with running many licensure programs including motor vehicles, all of which are done through the branch offices of the secretary of state.

The Michigan Legislature consists of a 38-member Senate and 110-member House of Representatives. Members of both houses of the legislature are elected through first past the post elections by single-member electoral districts of near-equal population that often have boundaries which coincide with county and municipal lines. Senators serve four-year terms concurrent to those of the governor, while representatives serve two-year terms. The Michigan State Capitol was dedicated in 1879 and has hosted the executive and legislative branches of the state ever since.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) speaking at a National Guard ceremony in 2019

The Michigan judiciary consists of two courts with primary jurisdiction (the Circuit Courts and the District Courts), one intermediate level appellate court (the Michigan Court of Appeals), and the Michigan Supreme Court. There are several administrative courts and specialized courts. District courts are trial courts of limited jurisdiction, handling most traffic violations, small claims, misdemeanors, and civil suits where the amount contended is below $25,000. District courts are often responsible for handling the preliminary examination and for setting bail in felony cases. District court judges are elected to terms of six years. In a few locations, municipal courts have been retained to the exclusion of the establishment of district courts. There are 57 circuit courts in the State of Michigan, which have original jurisdiction over all civil suits where the amount contended in the case exceeds $25,000 and all criminal cases involving felonies. Circuit courts are also the only trial courts in the State of Michigan which possess the power to issue equitable remedies. Circuit courts have appellate jurisdiction from district and municipal courts, as well as from decisions and decrees of state agencies. Most counties have their own circuit court, but sparsely populated counties often share them. Circuit court judges are elected to terms of six years. State appellate court judges are elected to terms of six years, but vacancies are filled by an appointment by the governor. There are four divisions of the Court of Appeals in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Marquette. Cases are heard by the Court of Appeals by panels of three judges, who examine the application of the law and not the facts of the case unless there has been grievous error pertaining to questions of fact. The Michigan Supreme Court consists of seven members who are elected on non-partisan ballots for staggered eight-year terms. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction only in narrow circumstances but holds appellate jurisdiction over the entire state judicial system.

Law

Main article: Law of Michigan

Michigan Supreme Court at the Hall of Justice

Michigan has had four constitutions, the first of which was ratified on October 5 and 6, 1835.[36] There were also constitutions from 1850 and 1908, in addition to the current constitution from 1963. The current document has a preamble, 11 articles, and one section consisting of a schedule and temporary provisions. Michigan, like every U.S. state except Louisiana, has a common law legal system.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Michigan

Michigan voters commonly elect candidates from both major parties, and it is generally regarded as a "swing" state which can be won by either Democratic or Republican presidential candidates. Governors since the 1970s have alternated between the two parties, and statewide offices including attorney general, secretary of state, and senator have been held by members of both parties in varying proportion. The Republican Party holds a majority in both the House and Senate of the Michigan Legislature. The state's congressional delegation is commonly split, with one party or the other typically holding a narrow majority.

Michigan was the home of Gerald Ford, the 38th president of the United States. Born in Nebraska, he moved as an infant to Grand Rapids.[37][38] The Gerald R. Ford Museum is in Grand Rapids, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library is on the campus of his alma mater, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

In a 2020 study, Michigan was ranked as the 13th easiest state for citizens to vote in.[39]

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Michigan

See also: List of counties in Michigan and List of municipalities in Michigan

State government is decentralized among three tiers—statewide, county and township. Counties are administrative divisions of the state, and townships are administrative divisions of a county. Both of them exercise state government authority, localized to meet the particular needs of their jurisdictions, as provided by state law. There are 83 counties in Michigan.

Cities, state universities, and villages are vested with home rule powers of varying degrees. Home rule cities can generally do anything not prohibited by law. The fifteen state universities have broad power and can do anything within the parameters of their status as educational institutions that is not prohibited by the state constitution. Villages, by contrast, have limited home rule and are not completely autonomous from the county and township in which they are located.

There are two types of township in Michigan: general law township and charter. Charter township status was created by the Legislature in 1947 and grants additional powers and stream-lined administration in order to provide greater protection against annexation by a city. As of April 2001, there were 127 charter townships in Michigan. In general, charter townships have many of the same powers as a city but without the same level of obligations. For example, a charter township can have its own fire department, water and sewer department, police department, and so on—just like a city—but it is not required to have those things, whereas cities must provide those services. Charter townships can opt to use county-wide services instead, such as deputies from the county sheriff's office instead of a home-based force of ordinance officers.

Largest cities or towns in Michigan

2020 Census:[40]

Rank Name County Pop.

Detroit

Detroit

Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids 1 Detroit Wayne 639,111 Warren

Warren

Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights

2 Grand Rapids Kent 198,917

3 Warren Macomb 139,387

4 Sterling Heights Macomb 134,346

5 Ann Arbor Washtenaw 123,851

6 Lansing Ingham 112,644

7 Dearborn Wayne 109,976

8 Clinton Charter Township Macomb 100,513

9 Canton Charter Township Wayne 98,659

10 Livonia Wayne 95,535

Geography

Further information: Geography of Michigan, Protected areas of Michigan, and List of Michigan state parks

The Huron National Wildlife Refuge, one of the fifteen federal wildernesses in Michigan

Michigan consists of two peninsulas separated by the Straits of Mackinac. The 45th parallel north runs through the state, marked by highway signs and the Polar-Equator Trail—[41][self-published source]along a line including Mission Point Light near Traverse City, the towns of Gaylord and Alpena in the Lower Peninsula and Menominee in the Upper Peninsula. With the exception of two tiny areas drained by the Mississippi River by way of the Wisconsin River in the Upper Peninsula and by way of the Kankakee-Illinois River in the Lower Peninsula, Michigan is drained by the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed and is the only state with the majority of its land thus drained. No point in the state is more than six miles (9.7 km) from a natural water source or more than 85 miles (137 km) from a Great Lakes shoreline.[42][better source needed]

Sleeping Bear Dunes located along the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan

Mackinac Island, an island and resort area at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac. More than 80 percent of the island is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.

The Great Lakes that border Michigan from east to west are Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The state is bounded on the south by the states of Ohio and Indiana, sharing land and water boundaries with both. Michigan's western boundaries are almost entirely water boundaries, from south to north, with Illinois and Wisconsin in Lake Michigan; then a land boundary with Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula, that is principally demarcated by the Menominee and Montreal Rivers; then water boundaries again, in Lake Superior, with Wisconsin and Minnesota to the west, capped around by the Canadian province of Ontario to the north and east.

The Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula

The heavily forested Upper Peninsula is relatively mountainous in the west. The Porcupine Mountains, which are part of one of the oldest mountain chains in the world,[43] rise to an altitude of almost 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level and form the watershed between the streams flowing into Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The surface on either side of this range is rugged. The state's highest point, in the Huron Mountains northwest of Marquette, is Mount Arvon at 1,979 feet (603 m). The peninsula is as large as Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island combined but has fewer than 330,000 inhabitants. They are sometimes called "Yoopers" (from "U.P.'ers"), and their speech (the "Yooper dialect") has been heavily influenced by the numerous Scandinavian and Canadian immigrants who settled the area during the lumbering and mining boom of the late 19th century.

The Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, one of the 221 state game and wildlife areas in Michigan. It encompasses 7,483 acres of hunting, recreational, and protected wildlife and wetland areas at the mouth of the Huron River at Lake Erie, as well as smaller outlying areas within the Detroit River.

The Lower Peninsula is shaped like a mitten and many residents hold up a hand to depict where they are from.[44] It is 277 miles (446 km) long from north to south and 195 miles (314 km) from east to west and occupies nearly two-thirds of the state's land area. The surface of the peninsula is generally level, broken by conical hills and glacial moraines usually not more than a few hundred feet tall. It is divided by a low water divide running north and south. The larger portion of the state is on the west of this and gradually slopes toward Lake Michigan. The highest point in the Lower Peninsula is either Briar Hill at 1,705 feet (520 m), or one of several points nearby in the vicinity of Cadillac. The lowest point is the surface of Lake Erie at 571 feet (174 m).

The geographic orientation of Michigan's peninsulas makes for a long distance between the ends of the state. Ironwood, in the far western Upper Peninsula, lies 630 miles (1,010 kilometers) by highway from Lambertville in the Lower Peninsula's southeastern corner. The geographic isolation of the Upper Peninsula from Michigan's political and population centers makes the region culturally and economically distinct. Frequent attempts to establish the Upper Peninsula as its own state called "Superior" have failed to gain traction.

A feature of Michigan that gives it the distinct shape of a mitten is the Thumb. This peninsula projects out into Lake Huron and the Saginaw Bay. The geography of the Thumb is mainly flat with a few rolling hills. Other peninsulas of Michigan include the Keweenaw Peninsula, making up the Copper Country region of the state. The Leelanau Peninsula lies in the Northern Lower Michigan region. See Also Michigan Regions

Numerous lakes and marshes mark both peninsulas, and the coast is much indented. Keweenaw Bay, Whitefish Bay, and the Big and Little Bays De Noc are the principal indentations on the Upper Peninsula. The Grand and Little Traverse, Thunder, and Saginaw bays indent the Lower Peninsula. Michigan has the second longest shoreline of any state—3,288 miles (5,292 km),[45] including 1,056 miles (1,699 km) of island shoreline.[46]

Michigan map, including territorial waters

The state has numerous large islands, the principal ones being the North Manitou and South Manitou, Beaver, and Fox groups in Lake Michigan; Isle Royale and Grande Isle in Lake Superior; Marquette, Bois Blanc, and Mackinac islands in Lake Huron; and Neebish, Sugar, and Drummond islands in St. Mary's River. Michigan has about 150 lighthouses, the most of any U.S. state. The first lighthouses in Michigan were built between 1818 and 1822. They were built to project light at night and to serve as a landmark during the day to safely guide the passenger ships and freighters traveling the Great Lakes. See Lighthouses in the United States.

The state's rivers are generally small, short and shallow, and few are navigable. The principal ones include the Detroit River, St. Marys River, and St. Clair River which connect the Great Lakes; the Au Sable, Cheboygan, and Saginaw, which flow into Lake Huron; the Ontonagon, and Tahquamenon, which flow into Lake Superior; and the St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Grand, Muskegon, Manistee, and Escanaba, which flow into Lake Michigan. The state has 11,037 inland lakes—totaling 1,305 square miles (3,380 km2) of inland water—in addition to 38,575 square miles (99,910 km2) of Great Lakes waters. No point in Michigan is more than six miles (9.7 km) from an inland lake or more than 85 miles (137 km) from one of the Great Lakes.[47]

The state is home to several areas maintained by the National Park Service including: Isle Royale National Park, in Lake Superior, about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Other national protected areas in the state include: Keweenaw National Historical Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Huron National Forest, Manistee National Forest, Hiawatha National Forest, Ottawa National Forest and Father Marquette National Memorial. The largest section of the North Country National Scenic Trail passes through Michigan.

With 78 state parks, 19 state recreation areas, and six state forests, Michigan has the largest state park and state forest system of any state.

Climate

See also: Climate change in Michigan

Köppen climate types of Michigan, using 1991-2020 climate normals.

Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages from 30 to 40 inches (76 to 102 cm) of precipitation annually; however, some areas in the northern lower peninsula and the upper peninsula average almost 160 inches (4,100 mm) of snowfall per year.[48] Michigan's highest recorded temperature is 112 °F (44 °C) at Mio on July 13, 1936, and the coldest recorded temperature is −51 °F (−46 °C) at Vanderbilt on February 9, 1934.[49]

The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section. Portions of the southern border have been almost as vulnerable historically as states further west and in Tornado Alley. For this reason, many communities in the very southern portions of the state have tornado sirens to warn residents of approaching tornadoes. Farther north, in Central Michigan, Northern Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula, tornadoes are rare.[50][51]

Geology

The geological formation of the state is greatly varied, with the Michigan Basin being the most major formation. Primary boulders are found over the entire surface of the Upper Peninsula (being principally of primitive origin), while Secondary deposits cover the entire Lower Peninsula. The Upper Peninsula exhibits Lower Silurian sandstones, limestones, copper and iron bearing rocks, corresponding to the Huronian system of Canada. The central portion of the Lower Peninsula contains coal measures and rocks of the Pennsylvanian period. Devonian and sub-Carboniferous deposits are scattered over the entire state.

Michigan rarely experiences earthquakes, and those that it does experience are generally smaller ones that do not cause significant damage. A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck in August 1947. More recently, a 4.2-magnitude earthquake occurred on Saturday, May 2, 2015, shortly after noon, about five miles south of Galesburg, Michigan (9 miles southeast of Kalamazoo) in central Michigan, about 140 miles west of Detroit, according to the Colorado-based U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center. No major damage or injuries were reported, according to Governor Rick Snyder's office.[52]

Demographics

See also: Michigan statistical areas

Michigan population distribution

Historical population

Census Pop. %±

1800 3,757 —

1810 4,762 26.8%

1820 7,452 56.5%

1830 28,004 275.8%

1840 212,267 658.0%

1850 397,654 87.3%

1860 749,113 88.4%

1870 1,184,059 58.1%

1880 1,636,937 38.2%

1890 2,093,890 27.9%

1900 2,420,982 15.6%

1910 2,810,173 16.1%

1920 3,668,412 30.5%

1930 4,842,325 32.0%

1940 5,256,106 8.5%

1950 6,371,766 21.2%

1960 7,823,194 22.8%

1970 8,875,083 13.4%

1980 9,262,078 4.4%

1990 9,295,297 0.4%

2000 9,938,444 6.9%

2010 9,883,640 −0.6%

2020 10,077,331 2.0%

Sources: 1910–2020[53]

Population

The United States Census Bureau recorded the population of Michigan at 10,084,442 at the 2020 United States Census, an increase of 2.03% from 9,883,635 recorded at the 2010 United States Census.

The center of population of Michigan is in Shiawassee County, in the southeastern corner of the civil township of Bennington, which is northwest of the village of Morrice.[54]

As of the 2010 American Community Survey for the U.S. Census, the state had a foreign-born population of 592,212, or 6.0% of the total. Michigan has the largest Dutch, Finnish, and Macedonian populations in the United States.

The 2010 Census reported:

White American: 78.9% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 76.6%, White Hispanic: 2.3%)

Black or African American: 14.2%

American Indian: 0.6%

Asian American: 2.4%

Pacific Islander: <0.1%

Some other race: 1.5%

Multiracial: 2.3%

In the same year Hispanics or Latinos (of any race) made up 4.4% of the population.

Michigan racial breakdown of population

Self-identified race 1970[55] 1990[55] 2000[56] 2010[57] 2020[58]

White American 88.3% 83.4% 80.1% 78.9% 73.9%

Black or African American 11.2% 13.9% 14.2% 14.2% 13.7%

Asian American 0.2% 1.1% 1.8% 2.4% 3.3%

American Indian 0.2% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6% 0.6%

Native Hawaiian and

other Pacific Islander — — — — —

Other race 0.2% 0.9% 1.3% 1.5% 2.2%

Two or more races �� — 1.9% 2.3% 6.3%

Thirteen largest ancestries in Michigan (2016)[59]

Ancestry Percent

German 19.5%

Irish 10.6%

English 8.5%

Polish 8.2%

American 5.6%

Italian 4.7%

Dutch 4.5%

French 4.0%

Scottish 2.2%

Arab 1.9%

French-Canadian 1.6%

Swedish 1.4%

Hungarian 1.0%

The large majority of Michigan's population is white. Americans of European descent live throughout Michigan and most of Metro Detroit. Large European American groups include those of German, British, Irish, Polish and Belgian ancestry. People of Scandinavian descent, and those of Finnish ancestry, have a notable presence in the Upper Peninsula. Western Michigan is known for the Dutch heritage of many residents (the highest concentration of any state), especially in Holland and metropolitan Grand Rapids.

African-Americans, who came to Detroit and other northern cities in the Great Migration of the early 20th century, form a majority of the population of the city of Detroit and of other cities, including Flint and Benton Harbor.

As of 2007 about 300,000 people in Southeastern Michigan trace their descent from the Middle East.[60] Dearborn has a sizeable Arab community, with many Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac, and Lebanese who immigrated for jobs in the auto industry in the 1920s along with more recent Yemenis and Iraqis.[61]

As of 2007, almost 8,000 Hmong people lived in the State of Michigan, about double their 1999 presence in the state.[62] As of 2007 most lived in northeastern Detroit, but they had been increasingly moving to Pontiac and Warren.[63] By 2015 the number of Hmong in the Detroit city limits had significantly declined.[64] Lansing hosts a statewide Hmong New Year Festival.[63] The Hmong community also had a prominent portrayal in the 2008 film Gran Torino, which was set in Detroit.

As of 2015, 80% of Michigan's Japanese population lived in the counties of Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne in the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas.[65] As of April 2013, the largest Japanese national population is in Novi, with 2,666 Japanese residents, and the next largest populations are respectively in Ann Arbor, West Bloomfield Township, Farmington Hills, and Battle Creek. The state has 481 Japanese employment facilities providing 35,554 local jobs. 391 of them are in Southeast Michigan, providing 20,816 jobs, and the 90 in other regions in the state provide 14,738 jobs. The Japanese Direct Investment Survey of the Consulate-General of Japan, Detroit stated more than 2,208 additional Japanese residents were employed in the State of Michigan as of 1 October 2012, than in 2011.[66] During the 1990s the Japanese population of Michigan experienced an increase, and many Japanese people with children moved to particular areas for their proximity to Japanese grocery stores and high-performing schools.[65]

A person from Michigan is called a Michigander or Michiganian;[67] also at times, but rarely, a "Michiganite".[68] Residents of the Upper Peninsula are sometimes referred to as "Yoopers" (a phonetic pronunciation of "U.P.ers"), and they sometimes refer to those from the Lower Peninsula as "trolls" because they live below the bridge (see Three Billy Goats Gruff).[69][70][71]

Birth data

As of 2011, 34.3% of Michigan's children under the age of one belonged to racial or ethnic minority groups, meaning they had at least one parent who was not non-Hispanic white.[72]

Note: Percentages in the table can exceed 100% as Hispanics are counted both by their ethnicity and by their race.

Live births by single race/ethnicity of mother

Race of mother 2013[73] 2014[74] 2015[75] 2016[76] 2017[77] 2018[78] 2019[79]

White American 85,994 (75.7%) 87,070 (76.1%) 85,838 (75.7%) ... ... ... ...

(Non-Hispanic white) 79,107 (69.7%) 80,304 (70.2%) 78,960 (69.7%) 77,696 (68.6%) 75,578 (67.8%) 74,777 (68.0%) 73,025 (67.7%)

Black or African American 22,645 (20.0%) 22,237 (19.4%) 22,394 (19.8%) 20,565 (18.1%) 20,849 (18.7%) 20,558 (18.7%) 20,370 (18.9%)

Asian American 4,136 (3.6%) 4,284 (3.7%) 4,294 (3.8%) 4,316 (3.8%) 4,468 (4.0%) 4,395 (4.0%) 4,304 (4.0%)

American Indian 714 (0.6%) 784 (0.7%) 786 (0.7%) 418 (0.4%) 426 (0.4%) 446 (0.4%) 433 (0.4%)

Hispanic and Latino American (of any race) 7,318 (6.4%) 7,352 (6.4%) 7,431 (6.5%) 7,485 (6.6%) 7,339 (6.6%) 7,139 (6.5%) 7,117 (6.6%)

Total 113,489 (100%) 114,375 (100%) 113,312 (100%) 113,315 (100%) 111,426 (100%) 110,032 (100%) 107,886 (100%)

Since 2016, data for births of White Hispanic origin are not collected, but included in one Hispanic group; persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

Languages

Most common non-English languages spoken in Michigan

Language Percentage of population

(as of 2010)[80]

Spanish 2.93%

Arabic 1.04%

German 0.44%

Chinese 0.36%

French 0.31%

Polish 0.29%

Syriac languages 0.25%

Italian 0.21%

Albanian 0.19%

Hindi 0.16%

Tagalog 0.16%

Vietnamese 0.16%

Japanese 0.16%

Korean 0.16%

As of 2010, 91.11% (8,507,947) of Michigan residents age five and older spoke only English at home, while 2.93% (273,981) spoke Spanish, 1.04% (97,559) Arabic, 0.44% (41,189) German, 0.36% (33,648) Chinese (which includes Mandarin), 0.31% (28,891) French, 0.29% (27,019) Polish, and Syriac languages (such as Modern Aramaic and Northeastern Neo-Aramaic) was spoken as a main language by 0.25% (23,420) of the population over the age of five. In total, 8.89% (830,281) of Michigan's population age five and older spoke a mother language other than English.[80]

Religion

The Basilica of Sainte Anne de Détroit is the second-oldest continuously operating Roman Catholic parish in the country.

The Roman Catholic Church has six dioceses and one archdiocese in Michigan; Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, Saginaw and Detroit.[81] The Roman Catholic Church is the largest denomination by number of adherents, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) 2010 survey, with 1,717,296 adherents.[82] The Roman Catholic Church was the only organized religion in Michigan until the 19th century, reflecting the territory's French colonial roots. Detroit's Saint Anne's parish, established in 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, is the second-oldest Roman Catholic parish in the United States.[83] On March 8, 1833, the Holy See formally established a diocese in the Michigan territory, which included all of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas east of the Mississippi River. When Michigan became a state in 1837, the boundary of the Diocese of Detroit was redrawn to coincide with that of the State; the other dioceses were later carved out from the Diocese of Detroit but remain part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Detroit.[84]

In 2010, the largest Protestant denominations were the United Methodist Church with 228,521 adherents; followed by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod with 219,618, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 120,598 adherents. The Christian Reformed Church in North America had almost 100,000 members and more than 230 congregations in Michigan.[85] The Reformed Church in America had 76,000 members and 154 congregations in the state.[86] In the same survey, Jewish adherents in the state of Michigan were estimated at 44,382, and Muslims at 120,351.[87] The Lutheran Church was introduced by German and Scandinavian immigrants; Lutheranism is the second largest religious denomination in the state. The first Jewish synagogue in the state was Temple Beth El, founded by twelve German Jewish families in Detroit in 1850.[88]

In West Michigan, Dutch immigrants fled from the specter of religious persecution and famine in the Netherlands around 1850 and settled in and around what is now Holland, Michigan, establishing a "colony" on American soil that fervently held onto Calvinist doctrine that established a significant presence of Reformed churches.[89] Islam was introduced by immigrants from the Near East during the 20th century.[90] Michigan is home to the largest mosque in North America, the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn. Battle Creek, Michigan, is also the birthplace of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which was founded on May 21, 1863.[91][92]

Religious affiliation in Michigan (2014)[93]

Affiliation % of Michigan population

Christianity 70

Protestant 51

Evangelical Protestant 25

Mainline Protestant 18

Black Protestant 8

Roman Catholic 18

Mormon 0.5

Jehovah's Witnesses 1

Orthodox 0.5

Other Christianity 1

Judaism 1

Buddhism 1

Islam 1

Hinduism 0.5

Other faiths 1

Unaffiliated 24

Don't know / No answer 1

Economy

See also: List of companies based in Michigan, Economy of metropolitan Detroit, and Michigan locations by per capita income

Top publicly traded

companies in Michigan

according to revenues

with State and U.S. rankings

State Corporation US

1 General Motors 6

2 Ford 9

3 Dow 48

4 Whirlpool 148

5 Lear 174

6 TRW Automotive 175

7 Penske Automotive 177

8 Kellogg's 210

9 DTE Energy 245

10 Ally 295

11 Stryker 300

12 Autoliv 312

13 Masco 334

14 Visteon 344

15 BorgWarner 347

16 SpartanNash 359

17 CMS Energy 383

18 Auto-Owners 425

19 Con-way 456

20 Kelly Services 471

21 Meritor 641

22 American Axle 657

23 Cooper-Standard Automotive 707

24 Steelcase 759

25 WABCO 785

26 Wolverine World Wide 806

27 Metaldyne Performance 812

28 UFP Industries 821

29 Diplomat Pharmacy 946

30 Tower International 956

Further information:

List of Michigan companies

Source: Fortune[94]

The Ambassador Bridge, a suspension bridge that connects Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. It is the busiest international border crossing in North America in terms of trade volume.

Michigan is the center of the American automotive industry. The Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit is the world headquarter of General Motors.

Ford Dearborn Proving Ground (DPG) completed major reconstruction and renovations in 2006.

In 2017, 3,859,949 people in Michigan were employed at 222,553 establishments, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.[95]

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated Michigan's Q3 2018 gross state product to be $538 billion, ranking 14th out of the 50 states.[96] According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of December 2018, the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 4.0%.[97]

Products and services include automobiles, food products, information technology, aerospace, military equipment, furniture, and mining of copper and iron ore.[quantify] Michigan is the third leading grower of Christmas trees with 60,520 acres (245 km2) of land dedicated to Christmas tree farming.[98][99] The beverage Vernors was invented in Michigan in 1866, sharing the title of oldest soft drink with Hires Root Beer. Faygo was founded in Detroit on November 4, 1907. Two of the top four pizza chains were founded in Michigan and are headquartered there: Domino's Pizza by Tom Monaghan and Little Caesars Pizza by Mike Ilitch. Michigan became the 24th right-to-work state in U.S. in 2012.

Since 2009, GM, Ford and Chrysler have managed a significant reorganization of their benefit funds structure after a volatile stock market which followed the September 11 attacks and early 2000s recession impacted their respective U.S. pension and benefit funds (OPEB).[100] General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler reached agreements with the United Auto Workers Union to transfer the liabilities for their respective health care and benefit funds to a 501(c)(9) Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA). Manufacturing in the state grew 6.6% from 2001 to 2006,[101] but the high speculative price of oil became a factor for the U.S. auto industry during the economic crisis of 2008 impacting industry revenues. In 2009, GM and Chrysler emerged from Chapter 11 restructurings with financing provided in part by the U.S. and Canadian governments.[102][103] GM began its initial public offering (IPO) of stock in 2010.[104] For 2010, the Big Three domestic automakers have reported significant profits indicating the beginning of rebound.[105][106][107][108]

As of 2002, Michigan ranked fourth in the U.S. in high tech employment with 568,000 high tech workers, which includes 70,000 in the automotive industry.[109] Michigan typically ranks third or fourth in overall research and development (R&D) expenditures in the United States.[30][31] Its research and development, which includes automotive, comprises a higher percentage of the state's overall gross domestic product than for any other U.S. state.[110] The state is an important source of engineering job opportunities. The domestic auto industry accounts directly and indirectly for one of every ten jobs in the U.S.[111]

Michigan was second in the U.S. in 2004 for new corporate facilities and expansions. From 1997 to 2004, Michigan was the only state to top the 10,000 mark for the number of major new developments;[28][112] however, the effects of the late 2000s recession have slowed the state's economy. In 2008, Michigan placed third in a site selection survey among the states for luring new business which measured capital investment and new job creation per one million population.[113] In August 2009, Michigan and Detroit's auto industry received $1.36 B in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy for the manufacture of electric vehicle technologies which is expected to generate 6,800 immediate jobs and employ 40,000 in the state by 2020.[114] From 2007 to 2009, Michigan ranked 3rd in the U.S. for new corporate facilities and expansions.[115][116]

As leading research institutions, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University are important partners in the state's economy and its University Research Corridor.[32] Michigan's public universities attract more than $1.5 B in research and development grants each year.[33] The National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory is at Michigan State University. Michigan's workforce is well-educated and highly skilled, making it attractive to companies. It has the third highest number of engineering graduates nationally.[117]

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is one of the nation's most recently expanded and modernized airports with six major runways, and large aircraft maintenance facilities capable of servicing and repairing a Boeing 747 and is a major hub for Delta Air Lines. Michigan's schools and colleges rank among the nation's best. The state has maintained its early commitment to public education. The state's infrastructure gives it a competitive edge; Michigan has 38 deep water ports.[118] In 2007, Bank of America announced that it would commit $25 billion to community development in Michigan following its acquisition of LaSalle Bank in Troy.[119]

Michigan led the nation in job creation improvement in 2010.[120]

A treemap depicting the distribution of Michigan's jobs as percentages of entire workforce

Distribution of Michigan's jobs as percentages of entire workforce

Taxation

Michigan's personal income tax is a flat rate of 4.25%. In addition, 22 cities impose income taxes; rates are set at 1% for residents and 0.5% for non-residents in all but four cities.[121] Michigan's state sales tax is 6%, though items such as food and medication are exempted. Property taxes are assessed on the local level, but every property owner's local assessment contributes six mills (a rate of $6 per $1000 of property value) to the statutory State Education Tax. Property taxes are appealable to local boards of review and need the approval of the local electorate to exceed millage rates prescribed by state law and local charters. In 2011, the state repealed its business tax and replaced it with a 6% corporate income tax which substantially reduced taxes on business.[122][123] Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Michigan also provides limitations on how much the state can tax.

A 6% use tax is levied on goods purchased outside the state (that are brought in and used in state), at parity with the sales tax.[124] The use tax applies to internet sales/purchases from outside Michigan and is equivalent to the sales tax.[125]

Agriculture

See also: Cherry production in Michigan

Michigan is the leading U.S. producer of tart cherries, blueberries, pickling cucumbers, navy beans and petunias.

The world headquarters of the Kellogg's Company in Battle Creek

A wide variety of commodity crops, fruits, and vegetables are grown in Michigan, making it second only to California among U.S. states in the diversity of its agriculture.[126] The state has 54,800 farms utilizing 10,000,000 acres (40,000 km2) of land which sold $6.49 billion worth of products in 2010.[127] The most valuable agricultural product is milk. Leading crops include corn, soybeans, flowers, wheat, sugar beets, and potatoes. Livestock in the state included 78,000 sheep, a million cattle, a million hogs, and more than three million chickens. Livestock products accounted for 38% of the value of agricultural products while crops accounted for the majority.

Michigan is a leading grower of fruit in the U.S., including blueberries, tart cherries, apples, grapes, and peaches.[34][128] Plums, pears, and strawberries are also grown in Michigan. These fruits are mainly grown in West Michigan due to the moderating effect of Lake Michigan on the climate. There is also significant fruit production, especially cherries, but also grapes, apples, and other fruits, in Northwest Michigan along Lake Michigan. Michigan produces wines, beers and a multitude of processed food products. Kellogg's cereal is based in Battle Creek, Michigan and processes many locally grown foods. Thornapple Valley, Ball Park Franks, Koegel Meat Company, and Hebrew National sausage companies are all based in Michigan.

Michigan is home to very fertile land in the Saginaw Valley and Thumb areas. Products grown there include corn, sugar beets, navy beans, and soybeans. Sugar beet harvesting usually begins the first of October. It takes the sugar factories about five months to process the 3.7 million tons of sugarbeets into 485,000 tons of pure, white sugar.[129] Michigan's largest sugar refiner, Michigan Sugar Company[130] is the largest east of the Mississippi River and the fourth largest in the nation. Michigan sugar brand names are Pioneer Sugar and the newly incorporated Big Chief Sugar. Potatoes are grown in Northern Michigan, and corn is dominant in Central Michigan. Alfalfa, cucumbers, and asparagus are also grown.

Tourism

See also: List of National Historic Landmarks in Michigan, List of Registered Historic Places in Michigan, and List of museums in Michigan

Holland, Michigan, is the home of the Tulip Time Festival, the largest tulip festival in the U.S.

Michigan's tourists spend $17.2 billion per year in the state, supporting 193,000 tourism jobs.[131] Michigan's tourism website ranks among the busiest in the nation.[132] Destinations draw vacationers, hunters, and nature enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada. Michigan is 50% forest land, much of it quite remote. The forests, lakes and thousands of miles of beaches are top attractions. Event tourism draws large numbers to occasions like the Tulip Time Festival and the National Cherry Festival. In 2006, the Michigan State Board of Education mandated all public schools in the state hold their first day of school after Labor Day, in accordance with the new Post Labor Day School law. A survey found 70% of all tourism business comes directly from Michigan residents, and the Michigan Hotel, Motel, & Resort Association claimed the shorter summer between school years cut into the annual tourism season.[133]

Tourism in metropolitan Detroit draws visitors to leading attractions, especially The Henry Ford, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Zoo, and to sports in Detroit. Other museums include the Detroit Historical Museum, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, museums in the Cranbrook Educational Community, and the Arab American National Museum. The metro area offers four major casinos, MGM Grand Detroit, Greektown, Motor City, and Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; moreover, Detroit is the largest American city and metropolitan region to offer casino resorts.[134]

Hunting and fishing are significant industries in the state. Charter boats are based in many Great Lakes cities to fish for salmon, trout, walleye, and perch. Michigan ranks first in the nation in licensed hunters (over one million) who contribute $2 billion annually to its economy. More than three-quarters of a million hunters participate in white-tailed deer season alone. Many school districts in rural areas of Michigan cancel school on the opening day of firearm deer season, because of attendance concerns.

Marquette, Michigan, is home to a vast snowmobile trail system.

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources manages the largest dedicated state forest system in the nation. The forest products industry and recreational users contribute $12 billion and 200,000 associated jobs annually to the state's economy. Public hiking and hunting access has also been secured in extensive commercial forests. The state has the highest number of golf courses and registered snowmobiles in the nation.[135]

The state has numerous historical markers, which can themselves become the center of a tour.[136] The Great Lakes Circle Tour is a designated scenic road system connecting all of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.[137]

With its position in relation to the Great Lakes and the countless ships that have foundered over the many years they have been used as a transport route for people and bulk cargo, Michigan is a world-class scuba diving destination. The Michigan Underwater Preserves are 11 underwater areas where wrecks are protected for the benefit of sport divers.

Transportation

International crossings

The Bluewater Bridge, a twin-span bridge across the St. Clair River that links Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario

Michigan has nine international road crossings with Ontario, Canada:

Ambassador Bridge, North America's busiest international border, crossing the Detroit River

Blue Water Bridge, a twin-span bridge (Port Huron, Michigan, and Point Edward, Ontario, but the larger city of Sarnia is usually referred to on the Canadian side)

Blue Water Ferry (Marine City, Michigan, and Sombra, Ontario)

Canadian Pacific Railway tunnel

Detroit–Windsor Truck Ferry (Detroit and Windsor)

Detroit–Windsor Tunnel

International Bridge (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario)

St. Clair River Railway Tunnel (Port Huron and Sarnia)

Walpole Island Ferry (Algonac, Michigan, and Walpole Island First Nation, Ontario)

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, a second international bridge between Detroit and Windsor, is under construction. It is expected to be completed in 2024.[138][139][140]

Railroads

See also: List of Michigan railroads and History of railroads in Michigan

Michigan is served by four Class I railroads: the Canadian National Railway, the Canadian Pacific Railway, CSX Transportation, and the Norfolk Southern Railway. These are augmented by several dozen short line railroads. The vast majority of rail service in Michigan is devoted to freight, with Amtrak and various scenic railroads the exceptions.[141]

Main article: Michigan Services

Amtrak passenger rail services the state, connecting many southern and western Michigan cities to Chicago, Illinois. There are plans for commuter rail for Detroit and its suburbs (see SEMCOG Commuter Rail).[142][143][144]

Roadways

See also: Michigan State Trunkline Highway System and County-Designated Highways in Michigan

US Highway 2 (US 2) runs along Lake Michigan from Naubinway to its eastern terminus at St. Ignace.

The Mackinac Bridge, a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan

Interstate 75 (I-75) is the main thoroughfare between Detroit, Flint, and Saginaw extending north to Sault Ste. Marie and providing access to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The freeway crosses the Mackinac Bridge between the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Auxiliary highways include I-275 and I-375 in Detroit; I-475 in Flint; and I-675 in Saginaw.

I-69 enters the state near the Michigan–Ohio–Indiana border, and it extends to Port Huron and provides access to the Blue Water Bridge crossing into Sarnia, Ontario.

I-94 enters the western end of the state at the Indiana border, and it travels east to Detroit and then northeast to Port Huron and ties in with I-69. I-194 branches off from this freeway in Battle Creek. I-94 is the main artery between Chicago and Detroit.

I-96 runs east–west between Detroit and Muskegon. I-496 loops through Lansing. I-196 branches off from this freeway at Grand Rapids and connects to I-94 near Benton Harbor. I-696 branches off from this freeway at Novi and connects to I-94 near St Clair Shores.

US Highway 2 (US 2) enters Michigan at the city of Ironwood and travels east to the town of Crystal Falls, where it turns south and briefly re-enters Wisconsin northwest of Florence. It re-enters Michigan north of Iron Mountain and continues through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to the cities of Escanaba, Manistique, and St. Ignace. Along the way, it cuts through the Ottawa and Hiawatha national forests and follows the northern shore of Lake Michigan. Its eastern terminus lies at exit 344 on I-75, just north of the Mackinac Bridge.

US Highway 23 enters Michigan at the Ohio state line in the suburban spillover of Toledo, Ohio, as a freeway and leads northward to Ann Arbor before merging with I-75 just south of Flint. Concurrent with I-75 through Flint, Saginaw, and Bay City, it splits from I-75 at Standish as an intermittently four lane/two-lane surface road closely following the western shore of Lake Huron generally northward through Alpena before turning west to northwest toward Mackinaw City and Interstate 75 again, where it terminates.

US Highway 31 enters Michigan as Interstate-quality freeway at the Indiana State Line just northwest of South Bend, Indiana, heads north to Interstate 196 near Benton Harbor, and follows the eastern shore of Lake Michigan to Mackinaw City, where it has its northern terminus.

U.S. Route 131 has its southern terminus at the Indiana Toll Road roughly one mile south of the Indiana state line as a two-lane surface road. It passes through Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids as a freeway of Interstate standard and continues as such to Manton, where it reverts to two-lane surface road to its northern terminus at US 31 in Petoskey.

Airports

See also: List of airports in Michigan

Aerial view of Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport in the western suburb of Romulus, was in 2010 the 16th busiest airfield in North America measured by passenger traffic.[145] The Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids is the next busiest airport in the state, served by eight airlines to 23 destinations. Flint Bishop International Airport is the third largest airport in the state, served by four airlines to several primary hubs. Cherry Capital Airport is in Traverse City. Alpena County Regional Airport services Alpena and the northeastern lower peninsula. MBS International Airport serves Midland, Bay City and Saginaw. Smaller regional and local airports are located throughout the state including on several islands.

Metropolitan areas

Further information: List of cities, villages, and townships in Michigan

Largest combined statistical areas in Michigan[146]

MI Rank U.S. Rank Combined statistical area Image 2019 estimate 2010 Census Change Constituent core-based statistical areas

1 12 Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI Detroit night aerial.jpg 5,341,994 5,318,744 +0.44% Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Flint, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Ann Arbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Monroe, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Adrian, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area

2 42 Grand Rapids–Kentwood–Muskegon, MI ISS047-E-125688.jpg 1,412,470 1,320,064 +7.00% Grand Rapids–Kentwood, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Muskegon, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Holland, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area

Big Rapids, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area

— 68 South Bend–Elkhart–Mishawaka, IN–MI 809,069 798,005 +1.39% South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Elkhart-Goshen, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area

Niles, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Warsaw, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area

Plymouth, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area

— — Lansing–East Lansing–Owosso, MI Downtown Lansing, Michigan, as seen from the air early one morning in May, 2017.jpg 550,085 534,684 +2.88% Lansing–East Lansing, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Owosso, MI Micropolitan statistical area

3 88 Kalamazoo–Battle Creek–Portage, MI 503,706 493,020 +2.17% Kalamazoo–Portage Metropolitan Area

Battle Creek, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Sturgis, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area

Coldwater, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area

4 101 Saginaw–Midland–Bay City, MI 376,821 391,569 −3.77% Saginaw, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Bay City, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

Midland, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area

5 159 Mount Pleasant–Alma, MI 110,583 112,787 −1.95% Mount Pleasant, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area

Alma, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area

— 161 Marinette–Iron Mountain, WI-MI 92,664 96,369 −3.84% Marinette, WI–MI Micropolitan Statistical Area

Iron Mountain, MI–WI Micropolitan Statistical Area

Other economically significant cities include:

Battle Creek, known as "Cereal City", is the headquarters of Kellogg's.

Benton Harbor–St. Joseph is the headquarters of Whirlpool Corporation.

East Lansing is the home of Michigan State University.

Holland is the home of the Tulip Time Festival, the largest tulip festival in the U.S.

Jackson is the headquarters of CMS Energy.

Manistee is home to the world's largest salt plant, owned by Morton Salt.

Marquette is the largest city in the Upper Peninsula with 19,661 people and home of Northern Michigan University.

Midland is the headquarters of the Dow Chemical Company and the Dow Corning Corporation.

Sault Ste. Marie is the home of the Soo Locks and Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.

Traverse City is the "Cherry Capital of the World", making Michigan the nation's largest producer of cherries and is also the largest city in Northern Michigan.

Half the wealthiest communities in the state are in Oakland County, just north of Detroit. Another wealthy community is just east of the city, in Grosse Pointe. Only three of these cities are outside of Metro Detroit. The city of Detroit, with a per capita income of $14,717, ranks 517th on the list of Michigan locations by per capita income. Benton Harbor is the poorest city in Michigan, with a per capita income of $8,965, while Barton Hills is the richest with a per capita income of $110,683.

Education

See also: List of colleges and universities in Michigan and List of high schools in Michigan

University of Michigan

Michigan's education system serves 1.6 million K-12 students in public schools. More than 124,000 students attend private schools and an uncounted number are homeschooled under certain legal requirements.[147][148] The public school system had a $14.5 billion budget in 2008–09.[149] From 2009 to 2019, over 200 private schools in Michigan closed, partly due to competition from charter schools.[150]

The University of Michigan is the oldest higher-educational institution in the state, and among the oldest research universities in the nation. It was founded in 1817, 20 years before Michigan Territory achieved statehood.[151][152] Michigan State University has the ninth largest campus population of any U.S. school as of fall, 2016. With an enrollment of 21,210 students, Baker College is Michigan's largest private post-secondary institution.

The Finlandia University in Hancock, Houghton County, Michigan

Cranbrook Schools, one of the leading college preparatory boarding schools in the country

The Carnegie Foundation classifies ten of the state's institutions (University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Michigan Technological University, Oakland University, Andrews University, and Baker College) as research universities.[153]

Culture

Arts

Music

Michigan music is known for three music trends: early punk rock, Motown/soul music and techno music. Michigan musicians include Bill Haley & His Comets, The Supremes, The Marvelettes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye "The Prince of Soul", Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Aretha Franklin, Mary Wells, Tommy James and the Shondells, ? and the Mysterians, Al Green, The Spinners, Grand Funk Railroad, The Stooges, the MC5, The Knack, Madonna "The Queen of Pop", Bob Seger, Ray Parker Jr., Aaliyah, Eminem, Kid Rock, Jack White and Meg White (The White Stripes), Big Sean, Alice Cooper, and Del Shannon.[154]

Performance arts

Major theaters in Michigan include the Fox Theatre, Music Hall, Gem Theatre, Masonic Temple Theatre, the Detroit Opera House, Fisher Theatre, The Fillmore Detroit, Saint Andrew's Hall, Majestic Theater, and Orchestra Hall.

The Nederlander Organization, the largest controller of Broadway productions in New York City, originated in Detroit.[155]

Motown Motion Picture Studios with 535,000 square feet (49,700 m2) produces movies in Detroit and the surrounding area based at the Pontiac Centerpoint Business Campus.[156]

Sports

Main article: List of Michigan professional sports teams

See also: List of Michigan sport championships

Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor is the largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere, and the third-largest stadium in the world.

Michigan's major-league sports teams include: Detroit Tigers baseball team, Detroit Lions football team, Detroit Red Wings ice hockey team, and the Detroit Pistons men's basketball team. All of Michigan's major league teams play in the Metro Detroit area.

The Pistons played at Detroit's Cobo Arena until 1978 and at the Pontiac Silverdome until 1988 when they moved into The Palace of Auburn Hills. In 2017, the team moved to the newly built Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit. The Detroit Lions played at Tiger Stadium in Detroit until 1974, then moved to the Pontiac Silverdome where they played for 27 years between 1975 and 2002 before moving to Ford Field in Detroit in 2002. The Detroit Tigers played at Tiger Stadium (formerly known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) from 1912 to 1999. In 2000 they moved to Comerica Park. The Red Wings played at Olympia Stadium before moving to Joe Louis Arena in 1979. They later moved to Little Caesars Arena to join the Pistons as tenants in 2017. Professional hockey got its start in Houghton,[157] when the Portage Lakers were formed.[citation needed]

Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan

The Michigan International Speedway is the site of NASCAR races and Detroit was formerly the site of a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix race. From 1959 to 1961, Detroit Dragway hosted the NHRA's U.S. Nationals.[158] Michigan is home to one of the major canoeing marathons: the 120-mile (190 km) Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. The Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race is also a favorite.

Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams was born in Saginaw. The 2011 World Champion for Women's Artistic Gymnastics, Jordyn Wieber is from DeWitt. Wieber was also a member of the gold medal team at the London Olympics in 2012.

Collegiate sports in Michigan are popular in addition to professional sports. The state's two largest athletic programs are the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans, which play in the NCAA Big Ten Conference. Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, home to the Michigan Wolverines football team, is the largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere and the third-largest stadium worldwide.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association features around 300,000 participants.

State symbols and nicknames

Dwarf lake iris

Michigan is traditionally known as "The Wolverine State", and the University of Michigan takes the wolverine as its mascot. The association is well and long established: for example, many Detroiters volunteered to fight during the American Civil War and George Armstrong Custer, who led the Michigan Brigade, called them the "Wolverines". The origins of this association are obscure; it may derive from a busy trade in wolverine furs in Sault Ste. Marie in the 18th century or may recall a disparagement intended to compare early settlers in Michigan with the vicious mammal. Wolverines are, however, extremely rare in Michigan. A sighting in February 2004 near Ubly was the first confirmed sighting in Michigan in 200 years.[159] The animal was found dead in 2010.[160]

State nicknames: Wolverine State, Great Lake State, Mitten State, Water-Winter Wonderland

State motto: Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice (Latin: "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you") adopted in 1835 on the coat-of-arms, but never as an official motto. This is a paraphrase of the epitaph of British architect Sir Christopher Wren about his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral.[161][162]

State song: "My Michigan" (official since 1937, but disputed amongst residents),[163] "Michigan, My Michigan" (Unofficial state song, since the civil war)

State bird: American robin (since 1931)

State animal: wolverine (traditional)

State game animal: white-tailed deer (since 1997)

State fish: brook trout (since 1965)

State reptile: painted turtle (since 1995)

State fossil: mastodon (since 2000)

State flower: apple blossom (adopted in 1897, official in 1997)

State wildflower: dwarf lake iris (since 1998) a federally listed threatened species

State tree: white pine (since 1955)

State stone: Petoskey stone (since 1965). It is composed of fossilized coral (Hexagonaria pericarnata) from long ago when the middle of the continent was covered with a shallow sea.

State gem: Isle Royale greenstone (since 1973). Also called chlorastrolite (literally "green star stone"), the mineral is found on Isle Royale and the Keweenaw peninsula.

State quarter: U.S. coin issued in 2004 with the Michigan motto "Great Lakes State".

State soil: Kalkaska sand (since 1990), ranges in color from black to yellowish brown, covers nearly 1,000,000-acre (4,000 km2) in 29 counties.

The senator from Alabama is wondering why I’m glaring at my phone and it’s your fault

[equinoxparanormal]

Map of the United Monsters of America

The natural world is losing up to 2,000 species a year, and that's a low estimate. Fortunately, one corner of the animal kingdom is immune from extinction: the monsters that thrive in our imagination. This map unites America's most famous cryptids on one map, from Caddy, a Northwestern sea serpent, over Nebraska's Alkali Lake monster to the skunk apes of Southern Florida. 

There's a whole discipline dedicated to the study of beasts unknown to science: cryptozoology, literally 'the study of hidden animals'. Although frowned upon by mainstream science, some of these 'hidden animals' have actually been proven to exist. The giraffe-like okapi of Central Africa was confirmed only in 1901. Indonesia's komodo dragon seemed too fantastical to be true until 1912, when its existence finally could be documented. These two species share the questionable distinction of having their existence threatened (by us) so soon after being discovered (by us).

Until science discovers evidence for the Loch Ness monster, the Himalayan yeti or any of their fellow cryptids (i.e. 'hidden creatures'), these monsters will have the good fortune to be as uncountable as they are unaccounted for, free to roam and multiply in our campfire stories and our folklore. The United States has quite a few of these cryptids, some famous, like the Mothman or the Chupacabra, some perhaps only known (and feared) locally, like the Beast of Busco or the Pope Lick Monster. 

As shown on the map, which brings them together for the first time, most cryptids are concentrated in the eastern third of the US. Perhaps not surprising: that's where most people live, thus presumable also an agreeable environment for monsters (as notable for their attention-seeking as for their camera-shyness). Further west, monsterdom is spread more thinly, with just 15 out of 32 cryptids mentioned on the map occurring in the two thirds of the land mass west of the Mississippi. So, which are America's favorite monsters?

1. Alkali Lake Monster

 A 40-feet horned reptile said to inhabit Nebraska's Walgren Lake (formerly Alkali Lake). Favorite treat: livestock and fishermen. Stinks to high heaven. More at American Monsters.

 2. Altamaha-Ha

A 30-foot creature navigating the mount of Georgia's Altamaha River with seal-like movements, blending in to its surroundings thanks to its green skin. A.k.a.: Altie. Possible footage of the monster here.

3. Bear Lake Monster

Although the person who first reported the Monster of Bear Lake, on the Utah-Idaho border, later admitted it was a “wonderful, first-class lie,” his tall tale has continued to generate numerous sightings, turning the 30-foot 'water devil' into a modest tourist attraction. More at American Folklore.

4. Beast of Busco

In 1949, inhabitants of Churubusco, Indiana reported seeing a giant snapping turtle which, despite a month-long turtle-hunt, managed to evade its pursuers. The town now boasts a statue of 'Oscar the Turtle', and annual Turtle Days, held in June. More at Unknown Explorers. 

5. Bessie

Loch Ness has Nessie, Lake Erie has... Bessie. Snake-like and between 30 and 40 feet, Bessie was first sighted as far back as 1793. A.k.a.: South Bay Bessie. Has its own comic book series.

6. Bigfoot

Perhaps North America's most famous cryptid, this large, hairy ape-man is said to inhabit the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Bigfoot (a.k.a.: Sasquatch) has left an aptly large imprint on American popular culture, figuring in countless TV series, movies and even a musical. The famous picture, claimed by some to show a genuine Bigfoot, by others a man in a gorilla suit, can be seen here.

7. Big Bird

A giant, ape-faced bird that terrorized the Rio Grande Valley. First spotted in 1976, it has blood-red eyes and a 12-feet wingspan. After a few months, the monster disappeared as mysteriously as it had emerged. Could it have been a jabiru, a Central American stork, as claimed by the Brownsville Herald?

8. Caddie

Named after Cadboro Bay in British Colombia, Caddie is a sea monster said to frequent the coasts of Washington and Oregon. A.k.a.: Cadborosaurus willsi. More at The Cryptid Zoo.

9. Cassie

Maine and Oregon both have a Portland, and also a sea monster. The Pine Tree State's Casco Bay is home to Cassie. Sea serpents were reported in the area as early as 1751, but have tailed off in the last couple of decades, says Maine Mysteries.

10. Chessie

Chesapeake Bay has its own sea monster – unavoidably called Chessie. Reportedly 25 to 40 feet long, it was sighted most often between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, and as recently as 2014. Ranked #8 scariest sea serpent by Animal Planet.

11. Champ

The champion among American lake monsters, Champ's habitat is Lake Champlain on the New York/Vermont border. As with many monsters, the numerous contemporary sightings are supported by Native American traditions – in this case, the local Abenaki tribe's stories about a creature called Tatoskok. Last year, the Daily Mail reported on audio recordings presented as evidence of Champ's existence.

12. Chupacabra

The original sighting of the Chupacabra (Spanish for 'goat-sucker') was in the mid-1990s in Puerto Rico, and apparently influenced by a creature in the sci-fi movie Species. A rash of sightings (and mutilated goats) in northern Mexico and the southern US has been linked to mangy dogs. Yet the legend lives on, reports the Huffington Post.

13. Flathead Lake Monster

The Flathead Lake Monster is that Montana Lake's version of Nessie. Strangely, nobody thought of calling it Flessie. More at NBC Montana.

14. Honey Island Swamp Monster

Seven feet tall, with gray hair, red eyes and a foul smell, the Monster of Honey Island Swamp, Louisiana is a hominid cryptid seen since 1963 (but also linked to older Native American myths).

16. Jersey Devil

Winged and hoofed, the Jersey Devil would probably look like a devil, if it could be coaxed out of its lair in New Jersey's Pine Barrens. More info (and t-shirts) here.

17. Kipsy

Or the Hudson River Monster. Could also be an unusually large (and very lost) manatee? See also Cryptid Wiki.

20. Loveland Frogmen

Humanoid frogs about 4 feet tall, first sighted in Loveland, Ohio, and from 2014 stars of their own musical, named Hot Damn! It's the Loveland Frog! More at Who Forted? 

21. Mogollon Monster

A Bigfoot-like creature sighted along the Mogollon Rim in central and eastern Arizona. No attested sightings confirm its existence, but the monster does have its own website.

22. Mothman

'Couples See Man-Sized Bird...Creature...Something', titled the Point Pleasant Register on 16 November 1966. The sightings continued for just over a year, popularized by the book The Mothman Prophecies (1975), turned into a 2002 movie starring Richard Gere.

25. Paddler

Is Paddler a real monster in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, or is it just a cover story for secret Navy submarine tests? More on Cryptomundo.

26. Pukwudgie

A three-foot humanoid from Wampanoag (Massachusetts) folklore, with enlarged noses, fingers and ears, able to appear and disappear at will, transform into a porcupine, and lure humans to their deaths. Hence best left alone.

27. Pope Lick Monster

The Pope Lick Monster is part man, part bovine, lives under a railway bridge near Louisville, Kentucky, and kills people either by luring them onto the tracks, or jumping down on motorists beneath the bridge. Quite disappointingly, no actual popes were licked in the making of this urban legend. More at the Louisville Ghost Hunters Society.

28. Shunka Warakin

An Ioway term meaning 'carries off dogs,' the Shunka Warakin is said to resemble either a hyena or a wolf, or both. One such animal was shot and mounted in 1880s Montana, was displayed in a local store until it mysteriously vanished in the 1980s. 'Ringdocus,' as the animal was named, was found again in 2007, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

29. Skunk Apes

A.k.a. Florida Bigfoot, the skunk ape, according to the US National Park Service, does not exist. However, some mysterious photossent in by an anonymous source, seem to indicate otherwise.

30. Tessie

Another Nessie spin-off, Tessie swims in Lake Tahoe, on the California-Nevada border. After a few dives in the mid-1970s, famed French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau reportedly said: “The world isn’t ready for what is down there.”

31. Thunderbirds

Large bird-like creatures with enormous wingspans, associated with Native American myths, but sighted (and shot) in modern times; as in one famous (but apocryphal) case in the early 1980s. A picture of a dead thunderbird nailed to a barn in Arizona is one of the many cryptid clues that have 'mysteriously' gone missing. Or is this it?

32. Wampus Cat

A cougar-like cat stalking eastern Tennessee, not unlike the Eewah, a half-woman, half-cougar, from Cherokee mythology. Legend has it that when you hear the Wampus cry, someone will die within the next three days. The Wampus Cat also steals children, and smells awful. More here.

[Frank Jacobs, Big Think / Map by Hog Island Press]

[karingudino]

Climate change is threatening these nine ecoregions in Canada

TORONTO — A latest examine has discovered that a whole bunch of species in 9 ecoregions throughout Canada are threatened by habitat and biodiversity loss as a consequence of local weather change.

The examine, conducted by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), analyzed 9 “disaster ecoregions” in southern Canada housing various wildlife and habitats which are susceptible to being misplaced amid international warming and enhance in human actions, coupled with a scarcity of conservation efforts.

The findings have been printed March 3 within the journal Biodiversity and Conservation.

Dan Kraus, senior conservation biologist with the NCC and writer of the examine, advised CTVNews.ca that these threatened ecoregions embody lots of Canada’s largest cities, equivalent to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, in addition to many smaller areas together with Purple Deer, Brockville, and all of Prince Edward Island.

“These areas rating very excessive in comparison with different areas in southern Canada for his or her variety of wildlife, the variety of endangered species, vital parts of biodiversity, however they’re additionally locations the place that biodiversity is beneath a excessive diploma of danger,” Kraus stated in a phone interview on Tuesday.

He defined the threats to biodiversity range based mostly on area, however the principle concern is habitat loss to urbanization in addition to the conversion of pure environments to croplands. Kraus stated this impacts wildlife, in addition to Canadians.

“Once we lose these habitats, we lose wildlife and we lose the advantages that nature supplies to folks,” Kraus stated.

He added that the lack of pure habitats can have a trickle-down impact, resulting in lack of species in some circumstances and a scarcity of fresh water for human use.

“Nature supplies vital providers to folks. So a few of these areas after we’re getting right down to beneath 20 or 15 per cent pure cowl, there’s loads of advantages that nature supplies that we’re dropping like cleansing our water, holding again floodwaters, absorbing carbon, defending coastal communities from sea degree rises and storm surges,” Kraus defined.

Emily Giles, a senior species specialist for World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) who was not concerned within the examine, advised CTVNews.ca that these at-risk areas really assist combat towards local weather change by storing carbon of their ecosystems.

“When these areas are destroyed, carbon is launched again into the environment and accelerates the local weather disaster. It’s due to this fact critically vital that we shield these habitats as a consequence of duel profit they’ll convey for each biodiversity and the local weather,” Giles stated in an e-mail on Wednesday.

Giles famous that it’s not solely as much as governing our bodies, conservation organizations, and companies to guard these areas; she says Canadians may also be a part of the answer.

She defined that Canadians who stay in areas which have skilled a excessive quantity of biodiversity loss can work to “construct nature again” be recreating a few of the habitat that has been destroyed.

“This may be finished by planting wildlife gardens and ensuring that you just plant native crops and timber at dwelling, as these crops are the crops that animal species want for meals and shelter,” Giles stated. “Even in the event you stay in an condominium you possibly can plant native crops in your balcony and assist create habitat for bees, butterflies, and birds.”

Giles stated it is usually vital that we “use our voice to ensure that Canada upholds it’s commitments to defending 30 per cent of our lands and waters by 2030” and advocate that these ecoregions be prioritized for defense.

These are the “disaster ecoregions” the NCC has recognized in its examine:

LAKE ERIE LOWLAND

In line with the NCC, the Lake Erie Lowland ecoregion contains Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Windsor, Sarnia, London, Chatham, and Brantford. The world can also be half of a bigger ecoregion south of Lake Erie identified within the U.S. because the Nice Lakes Forest ecoregion that features elements of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York.

The NCC experiences that there are over 130 nationwide species in danger within the ecoregion, together with the prothonotary, warbler, redside dace, and japanese ratsnake. The group says many of those at-risk species solely stay on this area of Canada. In line with the examine, the Lake Erie Lowland is without doubt one of the most altered ecoregions in Canada, with solely 14 per cent pure cowl remaining.

The examine notes that there’s restricted alternative right here for large-scale conservation with a lot of the land being privately owned, and rising costs rising the prices of land securement. The NCC says biodiversity conservation on this area would require partnerships with native governments, the agricultural group, and cities.

EASTERN VANCOUVER ISLAND

This ecoregion stretches throughout Vancouver Island’s mountainous panorama to the Pacific ocean, stretching throughout main city areas together with Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River, and Courtenay.

In line with the NCC, this ecoregion has a “very excessive richness” of species of conservation concern. There are over 55 nationwide species in danger, in response to the examine, together with the Oregon vesper sparrow, dense-flower lupine, Edwards’ seaside moth, and customary sharp-tailed snake. The examine experiences that the forests are characterised by Douglas-fir, western hemlock and grand fir, with some examples of worldwide uncommon Garry oak ecosystems.

The NCC says this area helps extra organic variety than wherever else in B.C., and comprises lots of the province’s most important estuaries.

B.C.’S LOWER MAINLAND

In line with the NCC, the ecoregion of B.C.’s Decrease Mainland is made up of main city centres together with Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Langley, and Abbotsford. It additionally encompasses the southern pacific coast of the province, and is a part of the coastal temperate rainforests that stretch from California to Alaska.

The NCC says the ecoregion is characterised by the Fraser River floodplain, which supplies overwintering or migratory stopover habitat for upwards of 250,000 waterfowl and over a million shorebirds. In line with the report, this ecoregion helps extra over-wintering birds than wherever else in Canada.

The NCC experiences that there are over 20 nationwide species in danger right here, together with the nice blue heron, western painted turtles, and Vancouver Island beggarticks. The examine reported simply over 5 per cent of this ecoregion is conserved, with the biggest protected areas being provincial parks and wildlife administration areas.

“Conservation on this space may also help keep the ecological providers that help communities and supply nature-based options for local weather change adaptation,” the examine says.

ASPEN PARKLAND

The Aspen Parkland ecoregion spans the three Prairie provinces and options farmlands, cities, and enormous city centres together with Purple Deer, Edmonton, Lloydminster, North Battleford, Humboldt, Yorkton, and Brandon.

The NCC experiences that this ecoregion serves as a “transitional zone” between the boreal forest and the Prairies, marking the change from grasslands to mountains with aspen groves and wetlands. Solely 4 per cent of the ecoregion is protected and 21 per cent pure cowl stays, in response to the examine.

The NCC says this ecoregion faces disaster from habitat loss as a consequence of agriculture, oil and gasoline exploration, and drilling. The report discovered that there are over 40 nationwide species in danger together with the burrowing owl, silky prairie clover, and piping plover.

Regardless of a excessive degree of land conversion within the Aspen Parkland ecoregion, the NCC says vital habitats throughout the space can nonetheless be protected to keep up Canada’s pure variety. Nevertheless, the group notes that defending it can require partnerships with the agricultural group and cities.

MANITOULIN-LAKE SIMCOE

The Manitoulin-Lake Simcoe ecoregion contains Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough, Oshawa, Kitchener-Waterloo, Barrie and Owen Sound, stretching via south-central Ontario.

The NCC says this ecoregion is influenced by the Nice Lakes and is “extremely threatened” due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The examine discovered that the world has over 75 nationwide species in danger together with Hine’s emerald, japanese loggerhead shrike, and lakeside daisy.

ST. LAWRENCE LOWLANDS

The NCC says the St. Lawrence Lowlands measure over 4.5 million hectares stretching throughout the Ottawa and St. Lawrence rivers, masking areas between Montmagny east of Quebec and Brockville whereas additionally together with areas of cultivated farmland.

Lower than 4 per cent of the land base is at the moment protected, which is without doubt one of the lowest quantities in Canada, in response to the report. The NCC says this ecoregion has over 50 nationwide species in danger and is dwelling to over 50 per cent of Quebec’s uncommon species. Over 30 of those species are of world conservation concern with some “discovered nowhere else on Earth.”

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

In line with the examine, the Prince Edward Island ecoregion contains over 25 nationwide at-risk species together with the crimson knot, butternut, buff-breasted sandpipe, and little brown myotis throughout the coastal and marine atmosphere. The panorama is characterised by sand seashores and dunes, coastal estuaries, remnants of Acadian forests, streams, and wetlands.

The NCC says this ecoregion is essentially the most impacted of all areas in Canada’s Maritimes. The examine experiences that solely 56 per cent of P.E.I. stays in pure cowl and its authors stress that there are “vital and irreplaceable websites,” significantly alongside the coast that must be protected.

NORTHERN CONTINENTAL DIVIDE

The Northern Continental Divide straddles the watershed drainage to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans via Hudson Bay. The most important communities embody Banff, Canmore, Elkford, Fernie, and Sparwood, and the areas is a “essential element” of the Yellowstone to Yukon hall.

In line with the NCC, this ecoregion has a “broad variety” of species of nationwide and international conservation concern such because the grizzly bear, Banff Springs snail, and whitebark pine. The examine reported that almost 97 per cent of this area stays in pure cowl, nonetheless, the world is “fairly fragmented” with a mixture of pure boundaries, together with mountains, and human boundaries, equivalent to roads and settlement.

MIXED GRASSLAND

In line with the NCC, the blended grassland ecoregion is the “southernmost and driest” of Canada’s Nice Plains. The world is a northern extension of the shortgrass landscapes that stretch south to Mexico with main communities together with Medication Hat, Chief, Swift Present, Assiniboia, Maple Creek, Shaunavon, and Kindersley.

The examine experiences that there are over 35 at-risk species on this ecoregion such because the black-tailed prairie canine, higher short-horned lizard, and swift fox. Agriculture “dominates” this panorama, in response to the examine, with intensive ranching, irrigation, cultivation, and oil and gasoline extraction being widespread.

“The speed of land conversion on this ecoregion is without doubt one of the highest in southern Canada. That is primarily native managed grasslands being transformed to cropland,” the examine notes.

Of all of the prairie ecoregions in Canada, the NCC says the blended grassland gives the “greatest alternative” to guard habitats. With 42 per cent pure cowl, the examine experiences that this ecoregion has a few of the largest blocks of intact prairie habitat remaining in Canada, situated alongside the U.S. border, within the Nice Sandhills area, and across the Canadian Forces Base Suffield Nationwide Wildlife Space.

The examine says long-term safety of this ecoregion could be completed by “rising the variety of conserved lands and bettering partnerships and incentives that help ranchers.”

Edited by CTVNews.ca’s Sonja Puzic

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source https://fikiss.net/climate-change-is-threatening-these-nine-ecoregions-in-canada/ Climate change is threatening these nine ecoregions in Canada published first on https://fikiss.net/ from Karin Gudino https://karingudino.blogspot.com/2021/03/climate-change-is-threatening-these.html

[wineanddinosaur]

Wine 101: New York

This episode of “Wine 101” is sponsored by E&J Gallo Winery. At Gallo, we exist to serve enjoyment in moments that matter. The hallmark of our company has always been an unwavering commitment to making quality wines and spirits. Whether it’s getting Barefoot and having a great time, making every day sparkle with La Marca Prosecco, or continuing our legacy with Louis Martini in Napa. We want to welcome new friends to wine and share in all of life’s moments. Cheers! And all the best.

On this episode of “Wine 101,” VinePair tastings director Keith Beavers delves into the history of winemaking in New York — particularly, the way in which New York became a locus of wine production in the United States, despite its cold and often unforgiving climate.

Beavers discusses the nine AVAs of New York, and how they owe their development to a series of acquaintances made in the 19th century. Following Prohibition, when America was trying to regain its footing in the alcohol industry, one American vineyard owner’s trip abroad was the catalyst for a meeting of European minds that made New York’s wine country what it is today. The novel idea of growing vitis vinifera vines in upstate New York, as opposed to the French-American hybrids that were ubiquitous at the time, kickstarted this success.

The rest is history, quite literally. Beavers claims that New York owes much of its tourism today to the thriving hotbed of wineries in upstate New York, producing everything from Riesling to Chardonnay. Furthermore, the introduction of vitis vinifera vines to the Northeast established America as a site of quality wine production.

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My name is Keith Beavers, and have we forgotten about Drake claiming to have invented YOLO? Are we still on that? Have we figured that out yet?

What’s going on, wine lovers? Welcome to episode four of VinePair’s Wine 101 podcast.

This is Season 2, by the way. My name is Keith Beavers. I am the tastings director of VinePair, and I think you’re doing great. OK, I’m going home. I’m going to New York. We’ve got a lot to talk about. It’s a very exciting place. I don’t even know where to start. New York wine. Let’s get into it. It’s awesome. You’re ready.

On July 3, in the year 1962, Tom Cruise was born in upstate New York in a town called Syracuse. And then in 1975, I was born in Syracuse. So I’m just going to show this fun little correlation between myself and Tom Cruise. No, not really.

What I’m trying to say is I was born in New York, and I love New York. Obviously. What’s very exciting for me as a native New Yorker is how much fun New York is having right now as a wine-producing region, how exciting things are right now for this place.

And I got to say, in prepping for this episode, I didn’t even know where to start. There’s so much I want to tell you about New York — how it got to where it is today and all this stuff. Because the thing is, what I just said is how exciting things are happening in New York. Well, New York has been a place of vine growing for a very long time. We’re talking pre-18th century, during the colonies. When people came here from Europe, they tried immediately to plant vines and create the wine they had at home. And it failed miserably all up and down the Eastern Seaboard. But there was a major push for it to happen in New York. New York is, today, the third-largest wine producing region in the country. It also produces so many grapes. A third of the grapes produced in New York are destined for wine. The rest are destined for basically jams, jellies, and grape juice. And that’s kind of the history of New York grapes, if you will.

Back in Season 1, we talked about where Zinfandel came from, and we talked about this little cottage industry that started up in the Northeast, and about table grapes, and greenhouse grapes and all that. And in that episode, we had a main character, if you will, in the story of Zinfandel. And his name was William Robert Prince. He was the one who led all this grape-growing cottage industry to thrive. Him and his family were a big player in this, specifically in Long Island and Queens. And this guy planted grape vines all up and down the Hudson River, which will eventually become an AVA that we’ll talk about in a second. Also, the oldest winery in America is actually in New York, in the Hudson Valley, established in 1839: Brotherhood Winery. 

And after the Civil War, on the shores of Lake Erie in the northwestern part of the state, there was a huge grape-growing scheme going on there that would eventually become an AVA. We’ll talk about it. 

And even more significant, by the end of the 19th century, the Finger Lakes region, which I’m sure you’ve heard of, had 24,000 acres of land under vine. That’s significant around that time. So there has been vine work in New York for a long time. 

But the realization of the beauty of this land and what it can produce was truly, truly realized not until the 1950s, and the story to get to that point is so cool. 

So after the 19th century, after Prohibition, when the country was coming back, trying to recreate their wine-drinking culture, something happened in New York that was very special, that began the journey to where we are right now in New York. It’s one of the most exciting wine regions we have because we’re watching it form in front of our eyes. Are you excited? I’m excited. 

Today, New York has nine AVAs — American Viticultural Areas — five of which are large, overarching AVAs, four of which are suburbs within a larger AVA. So right now, right there, you’re already saying, OK, we’re seeing terroir because when some AVAs start showing up, there are specific areas that are special. And they’re just that — all these nine areas where wine is being grown are special areas. But there’s one thing we have to understand about New York. Even though the soil compositions are different from region to region, and even the subregions — and those are very unique places, and we’ll get into that — the thing about New York, the big challenge is the weather. This is a mountainous, rocky place, and it’s very well drained and there is high elevation. So you get really good sun hours, or you’re up near the ocean and you get really good breezes coming from the ocean. But weather is something that messes up this place a lot: deep freezes, and hurricanes, and birds (but that’s not really major). But this is the big deal in New York. New York’s ability to make quality wines in this kind of weather, in this kind of climate, is why this place is so special. There’s a reason why it thrives that way now, and it really all starts with the Finger Lakes.

If you don’t know what the Finger Lakes are, the northwestern part of New York state that borders the southern border of Ontario, that whole area at one time, millions of years ago was covered by glaciers. And when those glaciers receded, they were so massive that they left scarring in the earth. It’s almost as if the glacier was a claw. And as the glacier receded, it scraped itself. It was almost like it didn’t want to leave. And it scraped these 11 claw marks into the earth. And those claw marks became lakes. That’s the Finger Lakes. They looked like fingers. It’s a thing. 

The two main lakes are Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake, and they are each its own AVA within the Finger Lakes, as I was talking about before. But we’ll get to that, because it all began on another one of these links called Cayuga Lake, which in native Iroquois tongue means canoe, because the lake is shaped like a canoe, or a finger. On the south end of Cayuga Lake was a bustling town called Hammondsport. Four miles north of that was a quiet little town called Urbana. And in that town in 1865, the Urbana Wine Company was established. Now, this is at a time when wine was being made in New York from French hybrids. When we talk about phylloxera, we’ll talk a lot about that. I wish I had more time now, but I don’t, because this is about to get crazy. This winery has a very interesting history in its name, in that it changed all the time. 

It was The Urbana Wine Company. Then it was New Urbana Wine Company. Then it went back to The Urbana Wine Company. Then Prohibition came around. They claim to do sacramental wine to keep it going, and they called it Gold Seal Products Company (no “wine” in that name.) And then after Prohibition, they went back to Urban Wine Company Incorporated — just a little bit modernized. But today, it’s still known as the Gold Seal Wine Company. 

It’s a little confusing, but what’s important is its existence, because what happened here is after Prohibition, in 1934, a year after the Volstead Act had been repealed, the current president of Gold Seal Urban Winery went to France. Because at this time in New York, it was very popular to make sparkling wine from whatever grapes you could find. And he wanted to go over to the Champagne region of France to study how Champagne was made. Hopefully, he could either find somebody to help them out, or learn stuff and bring that knowledge back to New York and try to help this company thrive. So Edwin Stuart Underhill Jr., the president of Gold Seal, meets a man named Charles Fournier, and Charles was the product manager for Veuve Clicquot.  

There’s this fun story about how Charles and Edwin meet. They start talking about what’s going on in New York. Edwin’s, like, “Look, you know, I could always use some help. We’re doing sparkling wine in New York.” Charles Fournier is like, “You know what, man? I want something new. I want to put my name on something. Maybe if I go to New York and help these guys out, I can put my name on something, then come back to France and just kind of boost my resume.” So he agrees to go to New York for a year or two, help them with their sparkling wine situation, and then come back to France. 

At the time in upstate New York, a lot of the vines that are being grown were these hybrids, because these are the only grapes that would survive up in this weather. But the thing was, they didn’t have the best quality like you would get from European vines. So when Charles Fournier got to New York to this winery, he set about trying to make quality wine out of French-American hybrids. And it was a very daunting task. But Charles was determined. And he never went back to France. And in 1952, Charles Fournier became the president of Urbana Wine Company, or Gold Seal. 

Czar Alexander I of the Russian Empire came to power in the early 19th century. He was a very forward-thinking dude, and he brought a lot of people from Germany and parts of Europe to Russia to help Russia develop a Western-style culture. Five generations after that move, a man is born from one of those families — a German family — by the name of Konstantin Frank. He was born in Odessa, Ukraine, and as he grew up, he gained an interest in agriculture and eventually got his doctorate in agricultural science at the Odessa Polytechnic. In 1917, after Russia had a revolution, now Dr. Konstantin Frank (this is crazy) was appointed the head of the now nationalized Trubetzkoy Estate — which is an old royal Czar, because they had a revolution and there’s no more Czars. So there’s this huge estate with 2,000 acres of land under vine along this river. And he was appointed to maintain and take care of all 2,000 acres of this now-nationalized vineyard. So we have this man who’s a doctorate of agricultural science, maintaining a vineyard of grapes — vitis vinifera vines, by the way, this is Europe — in an extremely cold region of the world.

And he had this appointment well into his 40s. And then in 1943, the Germans invaded Ukraine, and Dr. Frank and his family fled to Vienna, then to Bavaria. At this point, he’s destitute. He has a wife, two daughters, and a son. He doesn’t know what to do. So he decides in 1951 to emigrate to the United States and ends up in Brooklyn, New York. Here, we have a 52-year-old man with a family, who has a doctorate in agricultural science, who maintained a 2,000-acre vineyard in a cold region in Russia, in Brooklyn with no money. But you see, Dr. Konstantin Frank had a goal. He needed to get to Geneva, N.Y., which is a town on the northern tip of one of the larger Finger Lakes called Seneca Lake. 

That’s where Cornell University is, and that’s where the New York Agricultural Experiment Station lived. He needed to get to that place. So the story goes that he gets a job at an automat in New York City as a janitor and saves up enough money for bus fare to bring him and his family from Brooklyn to Geneva, N.Y., in the Finger Lakes region, where he finally gets to the New York State Agricultural Experiment Center. And this 50-something-year-old man with a doctorate in agricultural science who speaks six languages, applies for a job. But unfortunately, English isn’t one of those languages. So the only job he gets is hoeing blueberries. I’m not sure how you hoe blueberries. I don’t know, blueberries had to be hoed. 

This is where things come together, and it’s beautiful. Dr. Konstantin Frank, while employed by this place, hoeing blueberries, would not stop talking about the possibility of growing vitis vinifera vines in the cold region of New York State, especially in the Finger Lakes. He talked about it all the time, to the point where he would actually annoy people. And then Charles Fournier, a former production manager of Veuve Clicquot, now the president of Gold Seal Winery, gets wind of this guy who just keeps on talking about vitis vinifera vines. He eventually meets Dr. Konstantin Frank, and they have a conversation because one of the languages he does know is French. So he and Charles have a full conversation of what Charles wants to accomplish. Charles listens to what Konstantin wants to accomplish, and the two of them have an understanding. And so Charles hires Konstantin Frank to work at the Gold Seal winery, and together they work on his theory of growing successful vitis vinifera vines in upstate New York. Not hybrids. 

Together, they work at this winery to make this happen, and what they start doing is grafting vitis vinifera vines onto hybrid rootstock. And in 1957 they unveiled their work in the form of two bottles of wine: a bottle of Chardonnay, and a bottle of Riesling. They sold it commercially, and it was a success. And that, wine lovers, is where I believe the beginning of New York State really started to pop off.

Eventually, Dr. Konstantin Frank would leave Gold Seal to start his own winery north of Cayuga Lake, and he started Vinifera Wine Cellars. His goal was not only to grow vitis vinifera wine and make successful wine from white wine grapes; he was ready to start experimenting with Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. What this did was establish New York as a place to grow fine wine: wine made from vitis vinifera varieties, wine that Europeans coming here have always wanted to do, wine that Thomas Jefferson was trying to accomplish in Virginia. Dr. Konstantin Frank accomplished that in *New York. His family carried on the tradition, and Dr. Konstantin Frank wine is still there. It’s just now called “Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery.” 

He would go on to influence so many people in New York, and they would become pioneers in their own right. They were students of his skills — well, he didn’t call them students, he liked to call them “cooperators” — and that really helped to form the Finger Lakes. Now, I know I’m talking about one region, but that is where the spark, I believe, was lit. From that point into the 1970s, a lot of work was done. But this is the thing. In 1976, we had the Judgment of Paris, where California wines won over French wines in a blind tasting, being a watershed moment for us as a winemaking country. That same year, New York passed what’s called the Farm Winery Act. This was a law that allowed grape growers to make wine on their property and be able to sell that wine to consumers. This was huge for New York. In 1973, Alex and Louisa Hargrave had bought an old, abandoned potato field on Long Island and started a vineyard there. So when the 1976 law went into action, they kind of were the pioneers of that region, which became popular because of its proximity to New York City. 

And in the 1980s, all these established places that I’ve been talking about in the beginning of this episode in New York became AVAs. Because you remember from the appellations episode, this is that feverish time between 1983 and 1991 where 100 AVAs were awarded to the United States because of the feverish push of the popularity of Napa Valley becoming an AVA, so a lot of AVAs are being awarded, and New York was part of it. 

The Finger Lakes became an AVA in 1982, then Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake became their own AVAs in 1988. Hudson River also became an AVA in 1982. Lake Erie became an AVA in 1983, and then Long Island became an AVA in 1985 and split into two because Long Island is a fork. You have the North Fork of Long Island, and you have the South Fork of Long Island. The North Fork of Long Island is called the North Fork AVA, and the South Fork of Long Island is the home of the Hamptons, so that’s called the Hamptons AVA. And then in 2005 — yeah, that’s recent — a new AVA popped up called the Niagara Escarpment, all the way up to the southern border of Ontario. And guys, let me tell you, the wine coming out of there is great. 

And to cap this story off to where we are today, in 2011, Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York State, signed the Fine Winery Act. This alleviates the pressure of having tasting rooms. He allowed five tasting rooms per winery. He made it easier for wineries to ship wines to consumers. He allowed people to rent other people’s equipment to make wine, which apparently wasn’t legal before that. This act started the whole tourism part. 

Tourism was already part of New York. It just wasn’t as robust. But this changed everything. And now we have this amazing, thriving wine region in my home state, New York. Long Island is known for being the closest vineyard in the United States to Bordeaux because of the Atlantic Ocean. I think that’s awesome and fun. They have extreme maritime influences. They have to worry about hurricanes and frosts, but their growing seasons are long, and they can produce wines like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay, and they have these nice slow, steady ripening periods. There’s a lot of organic work going on right now in Long Island. It’s a lot of fun. 

On the North Fork is where you have most of the wineries; on the South Fork there’s only three wineries in the Hamptons, but they’re fun to visit. And of course, you have the Finger Lakes, which is kind of a big deal in the national scene right now. It’s like our big deal in New York because of the Riesling that’s coming out of there. The Riesling is so good coming out of the Finger Lakes of New York. This is where Dr. Konstantin Frank started. This is where Cornell University is. This is where the spark of the New York wine thing started really happening. Most of the vines are near these lakes, and the lakes have something called a “lake effect.” In the winter as it gets colder, the lake is still warm from the summer and it moderates the temperature around the lake. Then the same thing happens when the season changes. When it starts to get warmer out, the lake is cold and it moderates the temperature that way. 

These are just some of the things that Dr. Konstantin Frank helped everybody with back in the day. And today this defines that region. The Chardonnays, the Rieslings, the Cab Francs, the Merlot. The wines coming out of this area in the Finger Lakes have become just beautiful, elegant, medium- to full-bodied, just zippy acidity, awesome wines. The cool thing about Finger Lakes is they produce enough wine that you’re going to see these wines on the market. You’re also going to see Long Island wines on the market. They can produce enough — not all of them — but some of them can produce enough to be on the national market and distribution. Dr. Konstantin Frank, you can find around the country. 

Now that new AVA, the Niagara Escarpment, all the way to the north, that place is incredible. It’s brand new, but they’re producing amazing Pinot Noir, amazing Chardonnay, and amazing Cab Franc. It’s a fairly new region, so you’re not going to see a big production. You’re not going to see a lot of these wines on the market. But if you go to New York, and you want to go to wine country, the Niagara Escarpment is definitely a place to visit. It’s not only beautiful naturally, but the wines coming out of there are awesome. The Hudson Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the country. This AVA is mostly known for making wines from French hybrids, and we’ll talk about that this season. They do make Chardonnay and some Sauvignon Blanc, but the production is so low, you’re not really going to see it outside of New York. The same goes for the Lake Erie AVA. There’s only about 17 wineries there. The wine is good, but the majority of the grapes grown there are for table grapes. 

So that’s New York. That’s the New York story. There’s more to tell, but that’s a good overview to give you a sense of what’s going on here in New York. Of course, I love New York. I mean, I was camping and hiking in the Allegheny Mountains before I was even born. I love this place, but it’s a good American wine story. American wine is evolving in front of our eyes. It’s pretty amazing — places like Virginia, New York, Texas, Michigan. These are exciting places, and there are great winemakers doing great things in these places: listening to the land, not the dollar, doing what the land wants, putting vines in the land that can survive, and make great stuff. And New York is one of them. So I hope you enjoy my story about Dr. Konstantin Frank and Charles Fournier, and how it all began here in New York. Thank you very much. 

@VinePairKeith is my Insta. Rate and review this podcast wherever you get your podcasts from. It really helps get the word out there. And now, for some totally awesome credits. 

“Wine 101” was produced, recorded, and edited by yours truly, Keith Beavers, at the VinePair headquarters in New York City.  I want to give a big ol’ shout out to co-founders Adam Teeter and Josh Malin for creating VinePair. And I mean, big shout out to Danielle Grinberg, the art director of VinePair, for creating the most awesome logo for this podcast. Also Darby Cicci for the theme song. Listen to this. And I want to thank the entire VinePair staff for helping me learn something new every day. See you next week. 

This episode of “Wine 101” is sponsored by E&J Gallo Winery. At Gallo, we exist to serve enjoyment in moments that matter. The hallmark of our company has always been an unwavering commitment to making quality wines and spirits. Whether it’s getting Barefoot and having a great time, making every day sparkle with La Marca Prosecco, or continuing our legacy with Louis Martini in Napa. We want to welcome new friends to wine and share in all of life’s moments. Cheers! And all the best.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity.

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