MUSKEGON, Mich.—A destructive invader has made its way to the Great Lakes basin.

In a three-year study, researchers from ten universities, including the Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute, recently found invasive faucet snails in many new locations throughout the Great Lakes basin.  The snails carry parasites that are deadly to native waterfowl, including ducks and coots.

The findings suggest faucet snails have spread to more areas along the Great Lakes coastline than experts realized. The snail is only about a half-inch in height, making them easy to transport and spread and difficult to kill.   When waterfowl eat the infected snails, the trematodes the snails carry attack the ducks’ internal organs, causing lesions and hemorrhaging.  Infected birds appear lethargic and have problems diving and flying before dying.

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI – Ottawa County Parks is now accepting applications from those wishing to archery deer hunt at Crockery Creek Natural Area or at Upper Macatawa Natural Area. Crockery Creek Natural Area is a 306 acre site along the east side of Crockery Creek near the Grand River in Crockery Township.  Upper Macatawa Natural Area is a 500 acre site along the Macatawa River in Zeeland Township.  Applications are accepted online and due by 2PM on Friday, September 12, 2014.  Hunters will be selected by lottery to hunt each property during two special seasons:

·        Season One: Saturday, October 18 – Sunday, November 23
·        Season Two: Monday, November 24 – Wednesday, December 31

SPARTA, Mich.—Fruit farmers whose crops were devastated because of the unusual spring weather in 2012 are now eligible for federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin taking applications Tuesday for Michigan farmers who lost their fruit crops due to the freeze.  The funding is available through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program,  which was authorized in this year’s Farm Bill.

 “After the 2014 Farm Bill was enacted into law, USDA expedited the restart of disaster assistance programs as a top priority,” said FSA Administrator Juan Garcia. “Fruit producers experienced significant financial losses from weather-related damage in 2012. NAP provides them with long-awaited disaster relief.”