Using Sound to Connect People to Green Bay

On a sunny morning in mid-June, the Phoenix, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s research vessel, headed out onto the bay. Aboard were Sea Grant researchers Emily Tyner and Bill Sallak and a small mound of recording equipment. Tyner and Sallak’s project is associated with the development of a national estuarine research reserve on the bay. They planned to record natural noises from the bay, particularly bird sounds from the Cat Island Chain. They hope their audio project will connect the community to the bay, which has been shunned in the past due to environmental issues. The boat tour was only supposed to last for three hours but like in the theme song for the “Gilligan’s Island” television show, a mishap was involved.

Everyone Can Bird, Second of Three Accessible Birding Events

All are invited to attend the second in a series of three free events designed for birders of all skills and abilities. Join “Everyone Can Bird: Graduation to Migration,” 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the Millennium Trail off N. 28th Street and Wyoming Avenue, Superior, Wisconsin.

Two Wisconsin marine debris projects funded by NOAA

A project that deals with microplastic accumulation in the Great Lakes food web and another that will work with Milwaukee’s fashion community to reduce microplastic debris in waterways were awarded funding recently by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Checking beach health virtually

We’ve updated video tutorials and training modules that accompany Virtual Beach, a free Windows software program developed by the U.S. EPA for beach managers to make beach monitoring more timely and cost-effective.

Heading for the St. Louis River? Local groups offer water safety tips

Thanks to pollution remedies and controls combined with habitat restoration, the St. Louis River is cleaner than it has been in decades. Despite these improvements, there are still safety hazards people should consider before recreating. Local partners offer tips for appropriate precautions.