Zeus the mini 'polar bear' poodle. Photo of Zeus by Ryan Peterson 2012, photo of polar bear by Susan van Gelder\Flickr.

I am personally inspired by all sorts of wildlife but especially polar bears, and I wonder if it is a coincidence that my new puppy Zeus kind of resembles a polar bear. What do you think?

Viewing Polar Bears with an Amateur Camera and Healthy Respect

Zeus reminds me to tell the story of my first, and likely only, viewing of polar bears in the wild. About a decade ago, I was lucky enough to participate in an impromptu polar bear viewing in Barrow, Alaska.

Barrow, Alaska is the northernmost city in the United States, about 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle. I was there in the summertime as part of a larger project to help the city of Barrow adapt to climate change.

Summer Ice in the Chukchi Sea. Photo by Melinda Koslow 2001.

A local Barrowite asked us if we’d like to partake in a trip to the point of Barrow, where he knew polar bears liked to congregate. Thankfully I had a basic camera and a will to experience. That was all I needed. We jumped at this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

He piled us into a all-terrain vehicle reminding us that it is important to carry a healthy respect for the world’s largest land carnivore. In other words, no getting out of the car, and definitely no feeding or attempts to cuddle the polar bears!

Polar bears on Chukchi Sea Ice near Barrow, Alaska. Photo by Melinda Koslow 2001.

Polar Bears, Point Barrow, Alaska. Photo by Melinda Koslow 2001.

It is important to have a large amount of respect whenever viewing wildlife in the wild.

As Sea Ice Diminishes

As we took in the experience we realized that regardless of their immense power and size – and ability to survive in both water and land in frigid temperatures – that opportunities like this for people to experience them in the wild are vanishing.

The Arctic is warming from global warming and the sea ice, especially in the summer months, is declining in astonishing amounts. This affects the wildlife as well as the people who live in Barrow. As the sea ice declines they are more vulnerable to flooding from large waves and shoreline erosion.

Protect polar bears from global warming by sending a message to the Environmental Protection Agency >>

Return to Barrow

Chukchi Sea. Photo by Melinda Koslow 2005.

I share this adoration and concern with many people throughout the National Wildlife Federation and also with our young friends. Recently our scientist, Doug Inkley, received a letter from a 2nd grader who drew a touching picture of polar bears and dedicated herself as a friend of polar bears.

She and others remind me that there is hope for the polar bears. Every day we work together at NWF and with our partners, affiliates and members to reduce global warming to protect their habitat.

So again Happy National Puppy Day and Wildlife Week! Let’s go home and hug our puppies (or dogs, cats, kitties, mice, fish) or whoever it is that helps remind us of those more wild ones we also admire and work to protect. Zeus says so.

Zeus 13 weeks. Photo by Melinda Koslow 2012.

All of us in the Great Lakes region (and perhaps other regions also) are either enjoying or fretting over what is such a mild winter. Air temperatures remain above average and snowfall amounts are very small. In fact, in Michigan we’ve had more rain than snow this winter. But, what effect has this mild winter had on Great Lakes ice? Let the images speak for themselves.

February Average Great Lakes Ice Cover from 1973 to 2002. Image by NOAA GLERL.

Here is the average ice cover over the entire Great Lakes in February from the years 1973 to 2002. Red, orange and yellow areas indicate thick ice. Pay special attention to Lake Erie.

Great Lakes Ice Cover for February 2012. Darker colors indicate areas of thick ice. Image by NOAA GLERL.

NOW look at Lake Erie. In this image the darker areas indicate the thickest ice. Lake Erie is very light.

Stunning, isn’t it.

Lake Erie as the Canary

Why is the lack of Lake Erie ice important? Lake Erie is the shallowest Great Lake with the least volume of water. That is why it is usually the first lake to develop and retain ice throughout the winter.

Lake Erie does most of its freezing in February so if temperatures continue on this warm path, it may not freeze at all this winter.

Consequences of Thin Ice

We hear a lot about how thin ice in the Arctic harms polar bears and other Arctic wildlife and people, but how does thinning lake ice affect Great Lakes wildlife and people?

Flickr\ Teresa Boardman, 2006

Image by NOAA, February 3, 2012.

Lack of ice cover may also cause problems for fish populations. Many fish species depend on the protection that ice cover provides their eggs from dangerous winds or waves. Also, ice cover helps to ward off any bacterial growth that may affect the survival of the fish. Ice fishing – part of a multi-billion dollar fishing industry is also affected as the ice is a no longer reliable platform to partake in the activity.

Nearshore wetlands and shorelines, habitat for many wildlife species, are also affected as they depend on stable ice for protection from erosion. Our wetlands in the Great Lakes are vital to bird and other amphibian habitat, protecting the lakes from sediment pollution and cleaning our drinking water. We need them to stay on the shore.

Ice cover also provides protection from wintertime evaporation of the lakes. Evaporation rates are the highest in the winter. Sustained lack of ice cover over a few years or decades could contribute to lower lake levels.

When it comes to another very large economic driver in the Great Lakes, shipping, timing is everything. If the temperatures cool and the lakes freeze later into the spring it can cause issues for the industry. Heavy ice conditions in early spring can delay the shipping season and cause navigational problems.

What’s in store for Lake Erie’s ice?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory is creating ice forecasting models as part of their Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System. Currently they are able to forecast circulation, temperature, and wave conditions the lakes. Ice cover and thickness will give us even more information to prepare for conditions as they come. Here is the forecast for the next ten days. Dark colors indicate ice concentration and brighter colors indicate the water temperatures.

Image by NOAA GLERL GLCFS, 2012.

As for the longer-term, we need to work together to reduce temperature-raising greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect wildlife and people. Brenda Archambo, long-term Michigander and ice fisher (her family’s been ice fishing for four generations!) recently made the case to the EPA to cut carbon pollution from cars. Hear her story and watch her testimony here.

This weekend thousands of Tucsonans will gather to do just that while memorializing friends and family lost in the tragic violence on January 8, 2011.

JHadow\Flickr 2012.

Congresswoman Giffords enjoys the outdoors and one of her favorite activities is horseback riding. Photo by Melinda Koslow, 2008.

People can enjoy a new trail in Davidson Canyon, named the Gabe Zimmerman Memorial Trail in honor of the Giffords staffperson and avid hiker who lost his life on that day. What an incredible way to memorialize a wonderful person by giving others access to nature, memories, wildlife sightings, sounds and education of Tucson’s children and grandchildren.

Photo by Sandy Redding\Flickr 2012

Celebrate the spirit of togetherness we felt in the days and months after, and re-commit ourselves to working together to build a stronger community every day.

How do you heal when tragedy occurs from such a senseless act of violence?

My nephew Michael leaving a turtle outside of the hospital with the caption, "Shells are for turtles, not guns." Photo by Melinda Koslow, 2011.

Nature is what it is… unexpected, strong, beautiful, loud, soft, uncompromising, amusing, warm, cold, delicate, bold, challenging, whimsical, purposeful. Like our lives. I find peace in that. There are more reasons to connect us than divide us.

For more information about Beyond Tucson visit their website http://www.beyond-tucson.org or “like” them on Facebook.

Congresswoman Giffords continues to heal “Beyond” expectations and will attend a vigil in Tucson on Sunday January 8.

Whether you are in the midst of a healing process or feeling a need to build community or wanting a good laugh, there is never a better reason to get outside. National Wildlife Federation encourages us to Be Out There.

The NPP carries five instruments set to collect daily data on atmospheric and sea-surface temperatures, humidity soundings, land and ocean biological productivity, and cloud and aerosol properties, along with Earth radiation budget data.

Credit: Ball Aerospace, 2011.

NASA scientists attest that the NPP collects critical climate data to help us unravel some of the mysteries of climate change.

NPP can also see and collect data on other environmental factors such as fires, vegetation, ice patterns, oil spills and sees deeper into storms such as hurricanes.

What’s also unique about the satellite is that it can see all the way to the ground or ocean, regardless of cloud cover, measuring air and surface temperatures through a “straw” of accuracy.

“A significant amount of data that comes up through a 1.1-degree soda straw from the ground,” said Stephen Opel, civil space program manager at Northrop Grumman.

Here is a graphic image of  NPP:

Courtesy of NASA

First image from NPP. Courtesy of NASA, 2011.

Weather information will help provide advance warnings for severe weather such as the deadly tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves, floods, snowfall and wildfires that the National Weather Service reports have killed 852 Americans, injured more than 6,500, and led to a record $12 billion weather disasters in the USA in 2011.

Over the longer-term, climate data will provide more information to make decisions on how we mitigate (reduce greenhouse gases) and adapt (prepare for impacts) to climate change. It will help cover some data gaps that can sometimes hinder us from taking action.

NASA anticipates all of the products on board will be fully operational within the next year. Follow updates on the NPP’s twitter feed.

Flickr\\Sarah Macmillan

As we, hopefully, behave well to make the “nice” list and bake our delicious cookies to be left with milk, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some changes Santa and Mrs. Claus are experiencing in the North Pole and around the planet.

Changes that quite likely will require Santa to make some big adjustments.

What’s happening to Santa’s elf workshop in the North Pole?

Graph from NSIDC, 2010.

If this decline continues, and most climate models are in agreement that it will continue and even worsen, Santa and his elves are going to have to find a different place to put up shop or be left to float in the ocean.

Flickr\\François Roche

How will sleigh travel be impacted?

Have you flown lately and noticed a few more bumps than usual? This experience is not in your head.

According to The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global warming causes water temperatures to warm, and the rising heat from those waters can lead to more disturbances in the upper atmosphere. It’s those upper-air disturbances that cause in-flight turbulence. His sleigh rides might be a bit bumpy. Perhaps he might even be forced to delay certain routes around the globe if they are unsafe due to a large storm.

What will Santa wear?

It might get too warm in Santa’s signature red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. As air temperatures rise, perhaps he might fancy himself in some Bermuda shorts and candy-cane-colored shirtsleeves. Just as long as he doesn’t shave his beard!

What about the reindeer?

Flickr\\Timo Newton-Syms

Protecting reindeer is yet another reason to reduce carbon emissions to prevent even warmer temperatures from pushing them out of their habitat.

What can Santa do to keep his way of life?

Santa likes his way of life in the north pole, wearing his beard and red coat, sailing smoothly with his trusty reindeer. He cares about reducing carbon emissions to lessen and prevent climate change. For example, his sleigh is powered purely by renewable reindeer energy! He also uses wind power to power his toy workshop as wind is abundant in the North Pole. He also re-uses and recycles wood, plastic and other materials from older toys into creating toys for this upcoming season!

To learn more about how we can reduce big changes and protect Santa’s way of life, please see National Wildlife Federation’s Global Warming Solutions. Enjoy this holiday season!

Since human settlement in the region, Great Lakes wetlands have vanished as they are converted to agricultural land or other types of development.

As a response to declining water quality in the area the community of western Lake Erie is collaborating to bring their filters back. One step towards doing so is to rehabilitate wetlands adjacent to Lake Erie.

This field of weeds and grasses will soon become rich, diverse wetlands. Photo by Melinda Koslow, 2011.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative(GLRI), an investment to restore the Great Lakes, provides the means.

This GLRI project near the Ottawa Wildlife Refuge in Ohio is now set to rehabilitate 300+ acres of wetlands from fallow agricultural fields.

Since these fields are no longer used to farm, as they lie unused they act more like “tubs” and “drains” than “filters.”

This green color indicates nutrient pollution. Photo by Melinda Koslow, 2011.

When a large rain event happens (as they more often do) nutrients such as fertilizer and other debris from nearby farms or yards get carried by the rain and directly into Lake Erie.

A site manager on the project said:

The heavy rains we are experiencing in the springtime drain muck right out of the fields and into Lake Erie.

Algal in blooms Lake Erie. Photo by S. Bihn, 2011.

The health of Lake Erie and its community of people and wildlife pay the price. Algal blooms caused by nutrient pollution encourage the growth of harmful bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella.

See the National Wildlife Federation report, Feast and Famine, to learn more about this issue.

Restored wetlands resulting from this project will provide cleaner water and beaches, and also habitat for numerous species of shorebirds, hawks, ducks, bald eagles, fish like walleye and perch, turtles, frogs and land mammals.

These photos show the Before. I am looking forward to posting the During and especially the After, likely including some bird and turtle sightings!

This blog is the first in a series to track this and other restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes region.

To learn more about Great Lakes ecosystems and how you can help visit the Great Lakes Regional Center.

Participants learn web-based tools. Photo by Melinda Koslow.

The Great Lakes, often referred to as our nation’s third coast, has as much coastal shoreline as the Atlantic coast of the United States. The diversity of wildlife habitat is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Why is this workshop important?

The Great Lakes region is currently experiencing climate change impacts like warmer air and water temperatures, decline of lake ice, and increased heavy events of snow and rain. More of these impacts, along with some unexpected surprises, await us in the future. Actions to integrate these impacts and potential surprises into conservation efforts today and into the future will greatly enhance wildlife survival.

Participants discuss many topics like invasive species management. Photo by Melinda Koslow

Who attended the workshop?

Professionals who work in conservation and restoration of wildlife habitat in the Great Lakes. They represent states, tribal nations, governmental and non-governmental organizations.

What did they learn?

Participants learned strategies and tools for applying climate change impacts to actions that control invasive species, restore toxic hot-spots, expand habitat for fish and birds and manage agricultural watersheds. They also had “hands-on” training on web-based tools such as Climate Wizard, CAKE, and NOAA’s CanVis.

What does coastal habitat conservation look like in the “real world?”

Participants at Erie Marsh Coastal Wetland Restoration site. Photo by Melinda Koslow.

Participants visited two Great Lakes Restoration Initiative-funded sites on Lake Erie to see what coastal habitat conservation in a changing climate looks like.

These sites represent one of the largest marshes on Lake Erie and rare and unique lakeland prairie.

Erie marsh is on the western edge of Lake Erie. Photo by Melinda Koslow.

Restoring these sites will enhance habitat for waterfowl, raptors, turtles, beaver, shorebirds and songbirds, fish to name a few – plus will enhance the habitat of Lake Erie itself.

Restoration professionals at the site explained their plans for dealing with climate change impacts such as lake level decline and warmer air temperatures and also discussed how this restoration will protect people from climate change impacts by acting as a buffer from large rain storms and as a filter for better water quality.

Participants also had a chance to provide input into the upcoming National Climate Assessment. You can too as this assessment is intended to provide the latest climate change information for all of us!

To learn more about ecological restoration in a changing climate, see National Wildlife Federation’s guide Restoring the Great Lakes Coastal Future.

This workshop is part of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) series of workshops focused on strategies and tools for coastal habitat conservation, restoration, and management, in a changing climate. Support for this workshop was provided by the NOAA Climate Program Office, Office of Habitat Conservation, and Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Team.

To learn more about this workshop please visit the Joint Office for Science Support.

Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined others on the Detroit River to officially expand the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge from 300 to 5800 acres.

Secretary Salazar called this area “a wetland of International significance.”

Watch Secretary Salazar announce the expansion:

Click here to view the embedded video.

As we celebrate the Refuge’s expansion we also face challenges from proposed federal cuts to wildlife and water protection. Secretary Salazar has some words to motivate us to action.

We deserve better for future generations of children and wildlife.

How has the refuge helped the local community? What happens if the House budget cuts wildlife and water protection?

Click here to view the embedded video.

90% cut? Really? What does that do to decades of conservation work?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Secretary Salazar says, “It’s up to us to make sure our conservation voices are heard!”

Click here to view the embedded video.

What should we do to help wildlife? TAKE ACTION now to protect wildlife and preserve clean air and water!

Later on she sighed and said, “With the ease of growing tomatoes also comes the difficulty of keeping my wildflowers from blooming early…my garden sure is changing.”

Climate change is changing the landscape, as it were. Changing temperature and precipitation patterns alter the types of plant species that can survive in a given region.

To enhance awareness on the effects of climate change on America’s gardens, landscapes and other green spaces, the American Public Garden Association (APGA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are partnering to launch “A Changing Climate is Changing Plants” project. The project will provide visual information to visitors of public gardens that help identify which plant species will best survive in changing conditions.

NOAA

APGA’s gardens receive over 70 million visitors every year.

This is a special opportunity for NOAA to connect with gardeners and communities across the nation to help everyone better understand what changes in local climate mean for the plants, trees and landscaped areas around them. – NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco

There is telling evidence that climate change is affecting plant life around the world and at Longwood Gardens. For example, we have observed that plants are flowering earlier on average 1 day per decade over the last 150 years. -Longwood Gardens Director Paul Redman

Information from the project will also help planners, landscapers and farmers adapt their land to changes in climate.

National Wildlife Federation also helps gardeners plan for change. Learn more about gardening for wildlife, and gardening in a changing climate.

The report looks at restoration options for the St. Clair River to slow water losses from Lakes Michigan-Huron. These options seem a bit limited, however, as they all include placing some kind of multi-million dollar structure on the river bed or in the river itself.

Not sure why the Study Board didn’t examine options for ecological restoration especially at a time when there is such a strong dedication to restoration projects throughout the Great Lakes region.

Jennifer Aitkens\Flickr

The end goal is important: to compensate for years of dredging for shipping traffic in the St. Clair River causing erosion of the river bed and thus water losses through the river, drying out wetlands upstream and causing the water tables of Lakes Michigan-Huron to drop.

Structural options presented in the report could reduce habitat for wildlife such as the threatened lake sturgeon population and could also become hot beds for invasive zebra mussel population growth. Also, many of these options require someone at controls, deciding “appropriate” water levels.

We need to encourage more creativity rather than limit options solely to pricey, politically-complicated structures.

nmoira\Flickr

Ecological restoration options could involve restoration of shoreline wetland habitat in areas of hardened shorelines or old industrial sites along the river. The Study Board could also look at building up the river bottom in a way that doesn’t disrupt wildlife by using naturally-occurring sediment.

Shoreline wetlands would restore a closer-to-natural flow of the river and provide benefits to human communities, wildlife and overall water quality of the Great Lakes. Plus according to a Brookings Institution finding every $1 spent on restoration projects in the Great Lakes gives a $2 return on investment.

The Study Board plans to host public meetings to present the findings of the study.

As soon as dates have been set, take action and attend a meeting. Your voice is important to the overall health and function of the Great Lakes.

Call upon the Study Board to examine options for ecological restoration that are not only less expensive but also help, rather than hinder, wildlife.

The International Joint Commission, the bi-national body with a role to manage these waters wisely and to protect them for the benefit of today’s citizens and future generations, commissioned this ongoing study.