Seeking a pleasant peninsula is an easy assignment in Michigan – natives know from their civics class to simply “look about you.” Preserving and protecting them is another matter. The Great Lakes State is under constant threat from encroaching development, the effects of climate change and the toxic effects of legacy pollution from industry, mining, the military and more. “There’s a saying among environmental journalists, that our news doesn’t break — it oozes,” said Garret Ellison, a veteran MLive reporter who covers environment issues along with reporting colleague Sheri McWhirter. “There are times when things do break, literally, such as when a dam fails or petrochemicals spill into a river somewhere,” Ellison said. “But often we’re wading through dense bureaucratic and legal gobbledygook that pools in the policy spaces where business, government, science and the outdoors collide.” It’s complex and at times frustrating work. But the topic is extremely valuable and popular with readers, so we’re going to give it even more exposure. Beginning April 19, MLive will offer a newsletter devoted to environmental topics. Called “Lake Effect,” the curated monthly newsletter will make it easy for you to keep up with key issues in your home state. In addition to thoughtful and incisive reporting and storytelling, you’ll see the homegrown passion that Ellison and McWhirter have for their work, and their state. “My deep-seated love of the woods and waters in Michigan was founded in my childhood up north,” said McWhirter, recalling a “just idyllic” childhood outside of Traverse City, riding bikes to frolic in nearby lakes. “Covering Michigan’s environment is my dream job as a journalist,” she said. “Having a career that’s focused on a lifelong passion is both exciting and fun, yet an immense responsibility. We strive to not only hold accountable those who do harm, but also explain often messy, complicated problems for which there are no easy solutions.” One emphasis of McWhirter’s reporting is climate change. She was the lead reporter on a comprehensive package of stories MLive published in December on the effects – now and in the future – of climate change on our state’s environment, economy and culture. Ellison’s beat takes him everywhere – geographically, and topically. You may remember his investigative work on the basically free groundwater Nestle draws from Michigan’s aquifers, his investigation into legacy water contamination caused by Wolverine Worldwide in Rockford, or the ongoing controversies around Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac and PFAS contamination at the former Wurtsmith Air Force base in Oscoda. “Our readers appreciated the watchdogging of Wolverine Worldwide’s chemical pollution and the larger statewide focus on PFAS at a time when few reporters nationally were aware of its seriousness,” Ellison said. “They were encouraged and surprised that a local newspaper still did that kind of work. I was routinely thanked by readers and affected community members.” It’s hard work with great value to readers. Ellison notes, too, that doing it in a state as beautiful and interesting as Michigan provides its own set of benefits for the reporters. “Sometimes we get to go out on a boat, tour a mine, visit the top of the Mackinac Bridge, go behind the gates at the Soo Locks, or simply take a hike and get paid for doing it.” ###
John Hiner is the vice president of content for MLive Media Group. If you have questions you’d like him to answer, or topics to explore, share your thoughts at editor@mlive.com. | 