There are critical environmental issues affecting the Great Lakes region that are linked to land-based activities — from agricultural practices to how we manage our home gardens. Although MSU Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteers are not expected to be experts in these areas, bringing awareness to these topics is an important first step in understanding the small changes that can make a meaningful difference.
All water contains some level of algae, but when temperatures rise, certain algal species can become overabundant. Of particular concern are those species that produce toxins, which can pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife. This issue is further compounded by climate change, making it an increasingly urgent matter.
To help raise awareness, the following website and short lesson can be shared with the public during outreach events or at project sites near the Great Lakes. MSU EMG projects that may benefit from this resource include shoreline restoration, raingarden installations, proper watering practices, and responsible fertilizer use.
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) 101 Resources - A website developed by MSU Extension Michigan Sea Grant that hosts a webinar on this topic, fact sheets, and links to other websites. Download this Resource Sheet for a quick reference to the resources on this site.
What is a harmful algal bloom? A website developed by NOAA that explains what a harmful algal bloom is, why and where they happen, and what to do when they happen.
Harmful Algal Blooms – This website was developed by Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and has many resources including photos that could be used for a lecture, a short video that is appropriate for classroom use, and many other resources.
For related Smart Gardening tip sheets and other resources, please visit the Environmental Stewardship resource page.
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