Meet the blogger
Jeff Alexander
My life, in 60 seconds
I grew up in suburban Los Angeles. Moved to Michigan to play college hockey. What? Seriously. Hockey didn't work out. Settled on journalism. Met girl of my dreams (now wife) while in college. Encountered the wondrous Great Lakes. Never returned to California. Blessed with three wonderful children. Worked as a reporter and editor for 25 years at several Michigan newspapers. Wrote two books. Left the newspaper industry in 2009. Started my own writing and media consulting business (J. Alexander Communications). Now a contract writer for hire. I enjoy kayaking, hiking, reading, watching pro hockey and college football, traveling, exploring the Great Lakes and occasionally trying to rise above the rank of world's worst angler. And I blog about the Great Lakes because these freshwater seas are, in a word, incredible. Thanks for visiting!
Tag Archives: invasive species
Taking stock of the Great Lakes on Earth Day 2013
In honor of Earth Day, I thought it appropriate to explore the current state of the Great Lakes — the good, bad and ugly. The lakes today are far healthier than in 1972, when Congress passed the federal Clean Water Act. … Continue reading
Asian Carp Doomsday Clock nears midnight after study suggests some of the invaders are in the Great Lakes
Some Asian carp are likely living in southern Lake Michigan and western Lake Erie, according to scientists at the University of Notre Dame. Researchers recently announced that they found more Asian carp DNA in western Lake Erie and southern Lake Michigan. The … Continue reading
BBC produces amazing video of flying Asian carp
Leave it to the BBC, one of the world’s great news organizations, to produce an incredible video of Asian carp leaping in the air. The secret: High speed video coupled with ominous sounding music. The result is a video that … Continue reading
How are the Great Lakes? Ask a beach
Beaches are an important indicator of the health of Great Lakes ecosystems. Many of the most serious problems facing the lakes — such as bacterial pollution and algae blooms that are fueled by sewer overflows, polluted runoff and invasive species … Continue reading
Asian carp domination of Illinois River bodes ill for Great Lakes
An Illinois radio station recently produced a news story about how anglers can help rein in the Asian carp population in the Illinois River by fishing the heck out of the species. It’s the “If you can’t beat ‘em, eat … Continue reading
Crossing Lake Ontario is one of the world’s hardest swims
Swimming across Lake Ontario is one of the world’s most difficult swims, according to an interesting article on Great Lakes ECHO. Powerful currents and rapidly changing water temperatures make swimming across the lake a risky endeavor. Swimming across Lake Ontario was … Continue reading
Michigan Tech unveils new Great Lakes Research Center
Michigan Tech University on July 30 unveiled its new $25 million Great Lakes Research Center. The opening of this facility is great news for the university and the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are facing a myriad of serious threats, … Continue reading
Announcing the Asian Carp Doomsday Clock — a new way to convey the risk of these invaders storming the Great Lakes
In the 1940s, scientists concerned that the world was headed for nuclear holocaust unveiled a clever graphic called the Doomsday Clock. Given the recent news that Asian carp DNA has been found in Lake Erie — and that the invaders … Continue reading
Holy carp! Asian carp DNA found in Lake Erie
Scientists announced on Friday (the 13th) that they’ve detected Asian carp DNA in Lake Erie. The samples were collected from the lake in August 2011 but just recently analyzed. A Notre Dame scientist who made the discovery said the most likely … Continue reading
Ominous new study says Asian carp are likely to invade Lake Michigan; beasts could thrive in all five Great Lakes
The Canadian government on July 12 released a report that said Asian carp will likely invade Lake Michigan, from whence the fish could spread to all five Great Lakes. Read more here. The report said it would take as few … Continue reading
