Appealing because of its hardy nature, red berries, and resistance to deer, Japanese barberry is classified as an invasive species, because it spreads into nearby natural areas. But barberry also is host to Lyme-disease-carrying blacklegged ticks, which takes this invasive plant issue beyond just an ecological matter and into the realm of public health. Photo courtesy of the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN).
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Wanted: This Tick-magnet Hiding Place

Japanese barberry has become one of Northern Michigan’s least-wanted plants
Otter Creek Aral Spring Betsie Current
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The Once and Future Otter Creek

An ode to brook trout and the river ecologists who study them
Full-sized baby’s breath Elberta Beach Emily Cook The Betsie Current
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Baby’s Breath: One Person’s Bouquet, Another’s Nemesis

Removing invasive species from Elberta Beach
The Platte River will have seen a record number of visitors at the end of July, according to predictions. Photo courtesy of Joe Lachowski/Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
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Booze Cruise: Animal House on the River

National Park tries to curtail dangerous behavior on Platte River
Nessen-Little-Betsie-(4)
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A Bridge Story

Protecting bridges and saving fish on the Betsie
The Water Festival returns to Benzie County. Photo courtesy of Sarah Louisignau Wright.
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Winter and Water: Three festivals in February

Though typically winter is thought of as a time for hibernating, for many, it is the time to come out and play.
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Remembering Michigan Legacy Art Park

The tireless founder, David Barr
stand-up-paddle-boarding
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From Beyond the Horizon: A jubilant Frankfort crowd greets the paddlers from Wisconsin

By Nancy Bissonnette Bordine They gathered on the shore of Frankfort Harbor, all eyes on the horizon. The breeze ruffling their hair was subtly chilled from traveling over the yet cold waters of Lake Michigan. The white silhouettes of three…
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Living with Fire in Northern Michigan

By Jed Jaworski Current Contributor Residents of Northern Michigan, like much of the nation, are reevaluating our long held perceptions on fire in the environment. Fire professionals, ecologists and climate experts are all telling us fire…
Blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease. Photo courtesy of Graham Hickling.
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Look Out for Ticks, A Spreading Menace

Benzie County is home to ticks carrying Lyme disease
Captain Dave and his daughter Elle catch a brown trout in the Betsie Bay on Easter morning. Photo courtesy of Dave Rommell.
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Water Temperature Critical to What’s Biting

The first in a series about recreational outdoor activities