What an awesome, windy day for our LiveStream, exploring the wonders of Lake Michigan with Rangers Dave and Vincent and Dr. Erin. Lake Michigan really showed off its beautiful blue hues today!

We kicked off with a warm welcome and dove right into our Engineering Design Challenge: Build an Aquatic Food Web Model for Sleeping Bear Dunes. We explored how invasive species like quagga mussels disrupt the delicate food web and what we can do to help.

Ranger Erin shared some eye-opening insights on how quagga mussels have rapidly spread through the Great Lakes, creating dangerous conditions for avian botulism. Thank you, Erin, for all your amazing contributions throughout the Odyssey!

Ranger Dave took us deeper into how quagga mussels contribute to avian botulism outbreaks. We learned how these tiny invaders create the perfect conditions for algae growth, leading to botulism outbreaks that affect birds and other wildlife.

Next, we launched into our Engineering Design Challenge! Students learned how to build a model of the aquatic food web, identify disruptions caused by quagga mussels, and consider solutions for managing these invasive species. Should we remove the quagga mussels or leave them alone? Students were challenged to make decisions based on their research. Our team even recreated an aquatic food web in order to better understand it.

Ranger Vince highlighted the lasting impact of these invasive species on the ecosystem—everything from the fish to the birds, right down to how it affects local communities and the park economy. We explored how park staff and volunteers are actively working to monitor and protect Sleeping Bear Dunes. Dr. Erin even became an honorary member of the "Bot Squad".

To wrap up, we discussed the importance of stewardship and simple actions that everyone can take to help protect these incredible ecosystems. From cleaning boats to being mindful when visiting the beaches, there’s so much we can do to make a positive impact!

We couldn’t miss out on sharing our Piping Plover dance with you all—it was so much fun; however, I don’t believe “Dancing with the Stars” will be calling any of us anytime soon!

A special thanks to Laurie and Tonya for joining us behind the scenes today. Your help made everything run smoothly, and we appreciate you both so much!

Today was also bittersweet as we said goodbye to Dr. Erin, who has been an integral part of this Odyssey. She’s heading back to the Great Lakes Research and Education Center, but her influence will stay with us. We’ll miss her at Voyageurs (VOYA), but we’re excited for future adventures together!

Speaking of VOYA... we’re hitting the road now! Only a 12-hour drive ahead!

#GreatLakesOdyssey #SleepingBearDunes #InvasiveSpecies
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Today, we had an inspiring day learning from Park Biologist Lori and Ranger Erika, two dedicated professionals who are leading important conservation efforts at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Lori works tirelessly to organize volunteers who paddle the shores of Lake Michigan from June through September, keeping an eye out for both invasive and native aquatic plants. Invasive species like Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly-Leaf Pondweed can wreak havoc on the lake’s ecosystem, and thanks to Lori’s team, these invaders are spotted early so actions can be taken to protect the delicate balance of the lake. Their work is essential in keeping Lake Michigan healthy and resilient.

Next, we spoke with Ranger Erika, who works exclusively on the avian botulism team. You might be wondering, what’s a “bot walk”? In the world of avian botulism, it’s a patrol where rangers identify dead and living birds along the beaches. Back in 2007, there was a tragic die-off of birds at Sleeping Bear Dunes due to botulism, and since then, Erika and her team have been working to understand why. During bot walks, they collect dead birds for testing at the USGS, or, if necessary, bury them to prevent the spread of disease. They also document living birds to track any potential impacts. This work isn’t glamorous, but it’s crucial for protecting our wildlife and understanding the larger environmental issues facing the Great Lakes.

After a busy morning, we teamed up with Rangers Dave and Vince to finalize details for tomorrow's LiveStream #5! It’s hard to believe we’re already on our fifth one, and we’re so excited to introduce students across the country to these beautiful parks and show them how they can get involved in protecting these ecosystems. 

Afterward, we took some time to explore the Scenic Park Drive, one of Sleeping Bear Dunes’ most beautiful features. This 7.4-mile loop was originally designed in the 1930s as part of a larger movement to bring people closer to nature. The drive offers stunning overlooks, perfect for taking in views of the dunes and Lake Michigan. It’s truly a breathtaking way to end a busy day!

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s LiveStream—we can’t wait to share more of these incredible parks with all of you! 

#GreatLakesOdyssey #InvasiveSpecies #AvianBotulism 

[Photos by Dave & Dacia]

Today, we had the privilege of meeting up with Park Ranger Whitney at Keweenaw National Historical Park! Whitney, who has her master's in accessibility, works tirelessly to ensure that the park is accessible to everyone.

We also got to spend time with AJ, a YES intern who's making waves at just 19 years old! AJ shared a pop-up exhibit she created about the History of Stamp Sand. Her passion for the environment and advocacy for people with accessibility needs is truly world-changing. We loved learning from her!

Our adventure continued with capturing B-roll of Ranger Karl as he worked his culinary magic and science skills to make homemade rock candy. His cooking demonstrations were a hit. We will hear more from him tomorrow.

Next, we traveled out to the old Mohawk Stamp Mill in Gay, Michigan, to explore the stamp sands scattered along the beach. These sands will be the focal point of tomorrow’s LiveStream. During lunch, we had an unexpected but meaningful conversation with a local resident who's been passionate about the stamp sands for 25 years. He shared how he and a friend once proposed solutions to engineers, only to have their ideas dismissed. His story serves as a reminder that communities should have a voice in decisions impacting their homes and families.

This afternoon, we scouted our filming location for tomorrow at the Ahmeek Stamp Mills in Hubbell, Michigan. Historically, this site was part of the copper mining boom, where ore was crushed to extract valuable metals. The remnants of this process still shape the landscape today, making it a significant and sobering place to explore.

We took a quick side trip to the Isle Royale Visitor Center before spending the rest of our day writing, editing, and creating content. Ready for another exciting day tomorrow! 🎥

#GreatLakesOdyssey #StampSandStories #CommunityVoices ​