On the lookout for invasive plants: When a new plant moves into a lake or stream, take note – it could be cause for concern. Sandra Keppner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says that rapidly spreading invasive plants like water chestnut and hydrilla are causing big problems for New York waters. “We see …

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Bighead and silver carp can grow up to four feet long and gobble up food that native fish rely on. These invasive fish are in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers. And if they get into the Great Lakes, they could do enormous damage. John Dettmers, of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, says one strategy …

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A fountain that does double duty: In Milwaukee’s inner harbor district, you’ll find a unique fountain, where water spills out of plant-filled boxes into four attractive pools. Jim Wasley of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee says the fountain uses runoff captured from the roof of the adjacent building and landscape. He says, “We’re keeping that …

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Proposals for midwest fish farms have raised concerns . . . Learn more: Off-shore aquaculture – or fish farming – is not allowed in U.S water in the Great Lakes. So when two companies requested permission to begin raising fish in pens in Lake Michigan, there were concerns. “There’s significant risk and unknown environmental impacts that could …

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A group of trees lining a babbling brook does more than make an idyllic picture. “It filters out nutrients, it holds soil in place, it adds shade when the trees have canopy to streams, and controls water temperature,” says Alysha Trexler with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. She says excess fertilizer from farm fields, dirt from rural …

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