S5 E4: Tyler Penrod - Program Manager with the Superior Watershed Partnership - Marquette, Michigan

Changing climate is impacting Lake Superior. The lack of ice cover this past winter effects coastal erosion, water levels, fish populations and wildlife. Plus, the unseasonably warm weather has economic and cultural impacts on the shoreline communities as well. But what can be done? In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Tyler Penrod, Program Manager at the Lake Superior Watershed Partnership. He has a plan and a list of projects in the works with the Great Lakes Climate Corps to make a difference.

Key Takeaways:

•  The lack of ice cover on Lake Superior due to warm temperatures has significant consequences, including coastal erosion, impacts on fish populations, and increased vulnerability to powerful waves and wind.
•  The warming trend in Lake Superior and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has led to changes in ecosystems, wildlife behavior, and recreational activities such as skiing and snowmobiling.
•  The Superior Watershed Partnership's Great Lakes Climate Corps program employs seasonal staff to work on projects related to climate change, including tree planting, wildfire prevention, and coastal resiliency.
•  Planting native trees, making energy efficiency upgrades, and engaging in composting and gardening are individual actions that can contribute to mitigating climate change and building resilience.
•  Collaboration between different stakeholders, including tribes, government agencies, and nonprofits, is crucial in addressing climate change and its impacts on lake communities.

Notable Quotes:

•  "Climate change isn't a far off, distant idea. There's aspects of it that are impacting us here today." - Tyler Penrod
•  "These are all issues that we can be proactive about. Community planning, government planning, can go behind a lot of these issues to help us avoid them or adapt to them when they arrive." - Tyler Penrod

Resources:
Superior Watershed Partnership website: https://superiorwatersheds.org/

Listen to the full episode of the Lake Superior podcast to gain more insights into the impact of climate change on Lake Superior and the efforts being made by the Superior Watershed Partnership to address these challenges. Stay tuned for more engaging discussions and valuable content from the podcast.