Mayor Emanuel calls Lake Michigan “our Grand Canyon” and he has big plans to “make it a recreational frontier.” Governor Quinn added, “Nature-based tourism is a popular new trend.” NBC News In a joint initiative between the Chicago Park District, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and the city of Chicago, plans are in the works for the “redevelopment…
Category: Fossil/Science/Green
Chicago River Kayaking: Don’t Get Caught Up Creek Without a Paddle
When it comes to kayaking the Chicago River, some don’t give it a second thought, while others wonder if what they are doing is safe. YouTube video here. Erring on the cautious side, I pulled up a few blog posts from our past CASKA trip reports on the Chicago River that may help address concerns…
Kayaking With Altamaha Coastal Tours: Ancient Tidal Forests to Ocean Renewables
By Mary Fairchild (Rifle Cut) Buffalo Swamp Natural Area/Cathead Creek,a tributary of Georgia’s Altamaha River. Just as Egypt used slave labor, the channel pictured above(Rifle Cut) was dug out in the 1820s by slaves to shorten the water route to Darien: “Straight as a rifle shot through the cypress swamp and just as narrow.” “Mary, can you…
Kayaking Cobscook Bay and Coastal Maine
By Mary Fairchild As every mariner knows, to truly discover the character of Maine and her people one must approach them from the water. Christopher Little At one time, according to maritime superstition, it was believed that having a woman on board your boat angered the seas and that she was an omen of bad luck for everyone. This past week we had…
Dinner With Frederick Schram
By Mary FairchildRob Sula, Dr. Frederick R. Schram, Jack Wittry, Jim Fairchild.–August, 2011. The Mazon Creek site is very significant because of the diversity of life compared to other Lagerstatten. Frederick R. Schram (2) In August, ESCONI members Rob and Sondra Sula, Jack and Charlene Wittry, and Jim and I met with Dr. Frederick Schram at…
Chicago Kayakers, Environmentalism, and Incentives: What’s Good For the Goose is Good For the Gander?
(Cumberland Island; 3/19/11) Cumberland Island, Georgia, is the premiere sea-kayaking destination in the Southeast. Last February, I looked forward to catching my first glimpses of the feral horses on Cumberland Island. The area is not only a birdwatcher’s hotspot, but an important location for the nesting of three species of endangered sea turtles. Just offshore, it is one of…