Michigan is now incentivizing homeowners to build tornado safe rooms for protection from severe weather.
Michigan Environment Watch
Michigan Environment Watch examines how public policy, industry, and other factors interact with the state’s trove of natural resources.
Great Lakes News Collaborative
Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, The Narwhal and Michigan Public work together to report on the most pressing threats to the Great Lakes region’s water. This independent journalism is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. You can find all of the collaborative’s stories here.
Shockwave
The Great Lakes region is in the midst of a seismic energy shakeup, from skyrocketing data center demand and a nuclear energy boom, to expanding renewables and electrification. In 2026, the Great Lakes News Collaborative will explore how shifting supply and demand affect the region and its waters. Read the series here.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Takeout trash is piling up at Michigan universities. There’s no easy fix
Universities like Michigan State University and the University of Michigan are struggling to manage a shift toward convenience dining, which has made reducing single-use waste increasingly difficult even as campuses expand composting and recycling programs.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch, Michigan Government
Bridge on WJR: ‘Devil’s in the details’ on data centers
As the data center boom begins in Michigan, Bridge reporter Kelly House joined WJR in Detroit to discuss concerns about their impact and other top environmental issues.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch, Outdoors Life
Bridge Listens: The facts about Michigan’s environment, data centers, dams
Bridge readers identified the environment as a top 2026 election concern, with data centers, Great Lakes health and energy policy topping the list. We break down the issues, the facts and possible solutions.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan loves a ‘river story.’ But happy ending isn’t guaranteed
Michigan’s rivers are back from the brink — and play a pivotal role in state life. From dams to fish and pollution to development, they face a host of challenges that Bridge is exploring in a summerlong series.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan restricts buckthorn, other plants as landscapers cry foul
Advocates celebrated Tuesday after Michigan officials voted to ban or restrict six invasive plant species. Advocates said the decision helps the state catch up with neighboring Great Lakes states that already regulate many of the plants.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
In school cafeterias, kids fight Michigan’s food waste problems
Michigan schools are increasingly adopting composting programs that divert food waste from the landfill while teaching students sustainability.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Whitefish waning. Should Michigan have commercial trout, walleye catches?
Bills under consideration in the House aim to expand commercial access to walleye and trout as whitefish catch rates plummet. Recreational fishing advocates and state fishing regulators object.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan plans to reissue Line 5 permit amid federal review, court fight
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy preliminarily approved a water quality permit that will allow Enbridge Energy to discharge millions of gallons of wastewater per day into Lake Michigan during construction of a pipeline tunnel.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan gets $108M in Monsanto settlement to clean up PCB contamination
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a $108 million settlement with Monsanto Co. over long-term PCB contamination in the state, with the funds directed toward cleanup and restoration of affected natural resources.