Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

El Lower @helloellower.bsky.social · 16h

This was such a fun episode — thanks to the folks at IISG for inviting me back on the show (and to my fellow guests for letting me talk about the self-cloning crayfish we ALL wanted to discuss! 🦞🦞🦞)

Katie O'Reilly @drkatfish.bsky.social · 17h

New episode of the Teach Me About the Great Lakes podcast is out! I joined a couple other invasive species folks to talk about the new-ish aquatic invasive species in the #GreatLakes region we think people should know about www.teachmeaboutthegreatlakes.com/113

Teach Me About the Great Lakes | Spoiler Alert: This is Not Fine

What are the aquatic invasive species that Great Lakes experts wish you knew more about? Megan and Carolyn discuss with TMATGL all-stars El Lower, Katie O'Reilly, and Brian Roth.Links:Past episodes...

www.teachmeaboutthegreatlakes.com

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Katie O'Reilly @drkatfish.bsky.social · 16h

Podcast title: "Spoiler Alert: This is Not Fine"

The "This is Fine" meme with an outline of the North American Great Lakes and four invasive species; clockwise from top left: starry stonewort, marbled crayfish, water hyacinth, and black carp

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El Lower @helloellower.bsky.social · 19h

Thanks to @invasivesnet.bsky.social and all of our fantastic coauthors and collaborators for getting the peer-reviewed version of this report out the door — the Invasive Species Language Workshop was such a cool interdisciplinary meeting of the minds!

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Gadfly Stratton, Ph.D. @inclusivescience.ca · 13d

Shoutout to all our awesome co-authors on this paper! @helloellower.bsky.social
@t-campy.bsky.social
Sam Chan
Neha Savant
Brendon Larson
@meganweber.bsky.social
Virginia Rhodes
Lindsey Cathcart
Jillian Naveh
@nicholeangell.bsky.social

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Gadfly Stratton, Ph.D. @inclusivescience.ca · 13d

"Message frames and metaphors are commonly used within science communication to discuss complex topics, including #invasivespecies. While these communication tools are undoubtedly helpful, [this] can have unintended consequences that are counterproductive to management efforts."

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Gadfly Stratton, Ph.D. @inclusivescience.ca · 13d

"The in-person portion, used semi-structured discussions... to develop the following priorities:

1) Building Evidence of Impact and Harm
2) Identifying Networks of Change and Building Support
3) Co-Production of Interventions
4) Operationalizing Interventions for Change"

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El Lower @helloellower.bsky.social · 19h

✨New publication alert✨: “Recommendations from the Sea Grant-Led Invasive Species Language Workshop” — a report on the workshop I organized in DC last year!

#BiologicalInvasions #InvasiveSpecies 🧪

www.reabic.net/journals/mbi...

Message frames and metaphors are commonly used within science communication to discuss complex topics, including invasive species. While these communication tools are undoubtedly helpful, the ecological process of invasion juxtaposed with the use of militaristic and nativist language can have unintended consequences that are counterproductive to management efforts. Species naming conventions are likewise complex, with some species bearing names that may reinforce xenophobic concepts or contain racial slurs. Despite the known need, there have been limited national efforts to develop better and more inclusive guidelines for invasive species communication...

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El Lower @helloellower.bsky.social · 1d

Timeline cleanse: everyone look at my beautiful little doggie while I figure out how to do effective message framing for my latest first-author publication that won’t make the the regime crawl down my throat.

Junie the dog, a small Italian Greyhound/sheltie mix, basks in a sunbeam in her cozy bed.

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Michigan Sea Grant @miseagrant.bsky.social · 5d

Guys, do we really need to say it?
...
...
...
... don't dump your pet alligator outdoors.

buff.ly/k2kBW9h

Detroit’s Belle Isle alligator has been caught - Detroit Metro Times

Don’t worry, Detroit — the alligator recently spotted on Belle Isle has been found. The gator shocked Detroiters when it was seen on the island park late last month. It was captured Wednesday by…

www.metrotimes.com

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utopia deferred @utopia-defer.red · 6d

I think republicans hijacking all government agencies for their messaging is actually a much bigger problem than most people seem to be taking it as

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El Lower @helloellower.bsky.social · 6d

Hatch Act? What Hatch Act! 🫠

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Steven J Cooke @sjcfishy.bsky.social · 7d

Thinking about all of my US colleagues today that work for USGS, USFWS, US Parks Service, NOAA and the EPA. From front line environmental practitioners to scientists and policy makers, these folks ensure that waters are swimmable, fish are edible, that natural areas are accessible, etc, etc, etc.

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El Lower @helloellower.bsky.social · 6d

Oh my god, no…. What the hell….

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Science and Freedom Alliance - SAFA @safa-science.bsky.social · 8d

Fabulous call from fed unions:

“We are directly impacted when the gov't shuts down: our members would no longer be able to work, get paid, or fulfill their mission of serving the American public. But we believe the most important thing is fighting against the centralization of executive power..."

Federal workers unions call on Schumer, Jeffries to hold the line even if it means a shutdown

“Federal workers will willingly forego paychecks in the hopes of preserving the programs we have devoted our lives to administering,” the unions said.

www.politico.com

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Gadfly Stratton, Ph.D. @inclusivescience.ca · 13d

Another new paper out! 😱🧑‍🔬

"Recommendations from the Sea Grant-Led Invasive Species Language Workshop" out now, open access, in Management of Biological Invasions! @invasivesnet.bsky.social

www.reabic.net/journals/mbi...

#BiologicalInvasions 🧪

www.reabic.net

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Don Carr @doncarr.bsky.social · 14d

"Water is not a commodity. It is a vital component of the natural world that sustains life. And while the Great Lakes Region is water-rich, it’s our job to make sure it is here for generations to come."

Opinion | Rush to build data centers threatens Great Lakes resources

Bill Berry: Hyperscale data centers require millions of gallons and will drive energy consumption across the region to the equivalent of 8 million households by 2030.

captimes.com

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International Association for Great Lakes Research @iaglr.bsky.social · 15d

Achieving true DEIA in aquatic sciences remains challenging amid shifting political & institutional landscapes. Building on a joint webinar, IAGLR and SCAS share eight actions scientists can take to foster diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. https://bit.ly/4pCMmTA

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ghost malone ergo propter malone @proptermalone.bsky.social · 15d

neurodiversity is Good Actually. just want to say that

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Ben Goldfarb @bengoldfarb.bsky.social · 18d

TODAY is the deadline to submit public comment on Trump’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, which would expose 45 million acres of national forest to permanent roads and their attendant environmental ills. Register your disapproval here:

www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...

#roadecology

Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation; National Forest System Lands

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is initiating an environmental impact statement (EIS) and rulemaking concerning management of inventoried roadless areas on approximately 44.7 million acres of Natio...

www.federalregister.gov

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Gadfly Stratton, Ph.D. @inclusivescience.ca · 21d

Hot off the press! 🧑‍🔬🧪

"Making aquatic sciences more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible: Perspectives on how individuals can take action in their professional practice"

authors.elsevier.com/c/1lnYH1MRgT...

🧵1/5

Image of title page for the article "Making aquatic sciences more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible: Perspectives on how individuals can take action in their professional practice", available from the Journal of Great Lakes Research.

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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 24d

Today is “drag and tag,” tagging sharks with drag queens while raising money for LGBQT+ youth organizations in Florida!

www.scientificamerican.com/article/drag...

Drag Queens Tag Sharks in Annual Florida Science Celebration

The annual “Drag ’n Tag” expedition takes place amid a wave of antitransgender legislation

www.scientificamerican.com

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El Lower @helloellower.bsky.social · 25d

It’s been a disturbing week to be online in any capacity, so have a timeline cleanse: this is our new dog Junie, a sheltie-Italian greyhound mix and champion snuggler and is helping me and my wife stay grounded in these deeply bizarre times.

Junie, a sable-and-white long-shouted little dog, snoozes on Bluesky user El’s chest.

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Michigan Sea Grant @miseagrant.bsky.social · 26d

Michigan's Invasive Species Grant Program is open for applications! These state grants support projects that advance research, public education, and on-the-ground removal programs for invasive species that can damage Michigan's ecosystems and economies. Applications due Nov. 1:

$3.6 million in grants available for invasive species projects in Michigan

Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2025 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants. The program – a joint effort of the Michigan…

buff.ly

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Science Friday @scifri.bsky.social · 26d

Fungal jailbreak! Golden oyster mushrooms came into people's homes via growing kits, busted out of their basements, and have started expanding into local forests in North America.

A Delicious But Invasive Mushroom Could Affect Fungal Diversity

Golden oyster mushrooms have escaped from home growing kits into the wild. Plus, the ancient origin story of the humble potato plant.

buff.ly

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Terry McGlynn @hormiga.bsky.social · 27d

The BLM is seeking to eradicate the Public Lands Rule, which allows the conservation to be included in land use planning. There are a lot of areas of critical environmental concern in BLM land. It's in the federal register and the public commenting period has started. Please comment!

Interior Proposes to Rescind Public Lands Rule, Restoring Balanced, Multiple-Use Management | U.S. Department of the Interior

The Department of the Interior is proposing to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule, aligning with Secretary Doug Burgum’s commitment to restoring balance in federal land manageme...

www.doi.gov

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