Website lets you search for over 600 of Michigan's rare plants and animals

Michigan's Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) is an organization that is a part of the Michigan State University Extension. On their website you will find a searchable database of 665 of Michigan's rare plants and animals (I never knew there were so many that are considered rare). The search is customizable and allows users to search "based on name, habitat, survey time, protection status or rank."

Why have such a website? Let the MNFI mission statement answer that -

"To actively contribute to decisions that impact the conservation of biological and ecological diversity by collecting, analyzing, and communicating information about rare and declining plants and animals, and the array of natural communities and ecosystems native to Michigan."

I would like to see specific geographic areas (like southwest Michigan, or even by county) as one of the search parameters. The habitat parameter is a bit confusing to those not in the know as to what defines, for instance, a "Palustrine wet meadow" without the benefit of a web search (why should you have to do a search so you can perform a search?).

By the way, Palustrine comes from the Latin word "palus" or marsh. Palustrine systems are basically inland wetlands that lack a source of flowing water and contain "ocean derived salts in concentrations of less than .05%."

I just wondered what rare animals and plants were in our general area, but again, the search does not have a specific location delimiter. Otherwise, this is a pretty neat deal for educators and those that want to know more about the area we live in.

P.S. I came across the MNFI website while browsing our state website, Michigan.gov. Your tax dollars pay for it, you might as well use it. I always find interesting stuff there. :)

Visit our new Mackinac Bridge page

I just put up a page at Squidoo.com about the Mackinac Bridge. In case you didn't know, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the completion and opening of the bridge. Numerous events are being held this year in honor of the Mackinac Bridge's 50th and there is some pretty neat stuff at the page I created. At the new page you can view a current picture of the bridge and see what the current bridge conditions are for crossing the Mighty Mac. Information about how much tolls cost, great pictures of the bridge, odd facts, and 8mm footage of the old car ferry service that was rendered obsolete when the bridge opened on November 1, 1957.

You will also find links to other great resources on the web that are all about the famous Mackinac Bridge.

I think it is pretty neat. Hope you do, too. Check it out.

Remember Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have fallen fighting for our country. You don't have to agree with the war or the president, but you should pay your respects to those willing to serve in our Armed Forces. Last year I wrote a post following Memorial Day with the title, Did You Remember Memorial Day?.

I feel the theme of that post is of enough value to merit it's annual inclusion at this blog. This time I am posting it before Memorial Day. Read it below.

In the midst of all the cookouts, car races, and sporting events over the weekend did you remember why we celebrate Memorial Day? It is what I like to call, an unfortunate holiday. Wouldn’t it be far better to not have fallen soldiers to remember?

This world does not afford us the luxury of avoiding conflicts and wars. Therefore, we must remember why we celebrate Memorial Day. Lately, it seems, Memorial Day has been presented as more of the kickoff to summer instead of a solemn day of remembering those who gave their lives for our nation’s freedom.

Did you wave to the veterans in a Memorial Day parade yesterday? When the flag went by did you stand, remove your hat, and despite the heat still feel goosebumps?

Watch a parade on Monday. Stand up as the flag is carried past and clap for the veterans that have served our country proudly. Visit a cemetery and squint at the sunlight sharply reflecting off of the hundreds of American Flags waving in the soft breeze over the graves of veterans.

Remember Memorial Day.

You won't believe what is on the Michigan's Best list for 2007

The Detroit News has compiled a list of 'Michigan's Best for 2007' in four categories. The categories are - Sports and Recreation, Entertainment/Media, Stuff to Buy, and Food & Drink.

More than 105,000 people mailed in ballots that appeared in The Detroit News and on detnews.com in categories that ranged from restaurants to recreation. We tallied the votes in each of the categories and this section presents the winners - in short, a users guide to Michigan’s Best bets for fun, bargains, food, and more.

One of the quirky things I found on their Michigan's Best Water Park was that Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio took third place. Why have a Michigan's Best list if you are going to include out-of-state items on your list. You might as well vote the Olive Garden as Michigan's Best Italian Restaurant.

Oh wait, they did. Don't we have at least three (the Michigan's Best list chooses the top 3 for each sub-category) Italian restaurants in Michigan that are not chain restaurants?

This reminds me of when the local paper runs a "Best List" and Taco Bell is voted as the best Mexican Restaurant. I won't even go into who was voted as best place for Burger & Fries, Best Fried Chicken, or Best Ice Cream because the top place finishers in each of those category was a lousy chain restaurant.

If you would like an original "Michigan's Best Burger & Fries" list check out my Squidoo lens about Michigan. I have added a poll where you can vote and/or add your favorite Michigan restaurant for Burgers & Fries.

Check it out.

Wild Weekend TV takes you to the top of the Mackinac Bridge

I found this video on YouTube when I decided to see if there were any cool videos of the Mackinac Bridge. Just yesterday I wrote that the Discovery Channel show, Dirty Jobs, was coming to the Mackinac Bridge this Friday, but it looks like Wild Weekend TV beat them to it.

If the video player does not work for you, you can watch the clip here.

Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs to visit the Mackinac Bridge

Mike Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel's show Dirty Jobs, and his crew will make a visit to the Mackinac Bridge this Friday, May 25. They will focus on the never ending work that maintenance crews face to keep the bridge in tip-top shape. I have always admired those who work on the bridge and especially those who paint the bridge while hanging on scaffolding (the roadway alone at midspan is 199 ft. above the water). Also those that work on the road surface while traffic barrels on by.

I have walked the bridge a few times and a couple of those walks have been on windy days. I can attest to the fact that the "Mighty Mac" gets a lot of sway to it when the winds of the straits pick up. You definitely need nerves of steel to work in those conditions.

Via Michigan.gov