Just Beyond the Arch A look into environmental journalism

Huron High School, along with Skyline High School and Troy Athens High School have recently received grants from the Michigan State University (MSU) Knight Center for Environmental Journalism in order to develop collaborative projects between the school's journalism programs and environmental science classes.

Environmental science students setting up wildlife tracking cameras at Miller Creek. Photos by Satvika Ramanathan

Using the grant money, they were able to buy wildlife tracking/trail cameras that the environmental science students at Huron would place around Millers Creek, one of the smallest creeks in the Huron River system.

The wildlife tracking cameras, often referred to as "trailcams", picked up a variety of biodiversity, such as squirrels, owls, deer, groundhogs, and more.

The environmental science classes, taught by Nicole Lemon, often conduct their own independent research. Through this project, they are able to have the opportunity to gather their own data.

Wild turkey populations have rebounded after their reintroduction by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the 1950s. Photos courtesy of Lemon.

The Huron Emery plans to continue reporting on these findings with the help of the Huron River Watershed Council. They are especially interested in investigating the Millers Creek Improvement Plan. It was created in 2004 in order to help with the habitats, watershed hydrology, and cleanliness, but has seemingly not gone through with its plans.