TV9&10 Covers Aurora Chasers Visit
The Island’s Sustainability Fair and Dark Sky Sanctuary earned some recognition in a piece from Rachel Rademacher on TV 9&10 yesterday. Rachel was on the Island for the Fair and met up with leaders of Michigan Auroa Chasers who were here for the fair. Members of the group, founded by Melissa Kaelin in 2021 and now 130,000 strong, also traveled to the island to experience its pristine night skies and advocate for dark sky preservation. Many members were visiting Beaver Island—and meeting each other—for the first time. The group hopes to raise awareness about the rarity and importance of truly dark skies, while enjoying the thrill of witnessing auroras and the Milky Way in a uniquely unspoiled setting. That mission is aligned with that of the Island’s Dark Sky Project, fostered by the BIA, which successfully sought recognition of a portion of the Island as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by Dark Sky International.
Noted in TV9&10’s coverage was the fact that the Island’s Dark Sky Sanctuary is one of only 22 on the planet.
Click on the image below to see the TV9&10 report.
Another version of this report first appeared on WVBI.
Broadband Presentation
Your BIA joined with the Townships Joint Telecommunications Advisory Committee to provide an update on efforts to improve internet service on the Island at a meeting last evening. The presentation prepared for the meeting is available here. Attendees were asked to...
Island celebrates its 2025 grads
Saturday was an important day with B-I-C-S seniors Alyssa Martin, Ava Palmer-Bousquet and Jason Selby collecting their High School diplomas in a well-attended ceremony at the school. Allyssa, as class valedictorian, delivered thoughtful remarks to the audience...
Mussel crusher?
In an article it picked up from the Milwaukee Sentinel, the Petoskey News has an interesting story about a surprise discovery near Sleeping Bear Dunes is changing how how scientists fight invasive mussels in Lake Michigan. In 2015, researchers scraped mussels off a...
BIA supported junk vehicle project update
BIA's Blight Remediation Program is working hard to keep our island clean and environmentally healthy! Proper disposal of abandoned or disabled vehicles—helps protect our land, water, and wildlife. BIA board member Craig Peirano has spearheaded the project and rallied...
Steer clear of wildlife babies
Island wildlife officials are reminding folks to steer clear of wildlife newborns. Wildlife club leader Jaqueline LaFreniere says they need their space. I've had a couple instances already reported to me that people have picked up fawns they found on the side of the...
ORVs spotted on beaches & dunes
There have been a number of recent reports of ORVs seen operating on Island beaches and the dunes. One rider took an ORV up Mount Pisgah. That has island officials are reminding everyone that island beaches and dunes…and most Island trails are off limits to motorized...
Warblers on the Water Registration Open
Warblers on the Water is back for 2025 featuring field trips on the Beaver Island Birding Trail with registration open this morning (February 8) at 8:00 a.m. After a transition of leaders last year, our event is now back to its traditional full offering of activities....
BIA Annual Meeting
Your BIA held its annual meeting on August 13th. There was a good turn out to hear the Association's volunteers report on current activities. The presentations shown at the meeting are available here. The meeting included a report on Broadband and the efforts of the...
Birding Foray on the Beaver Announced
The Beaver Island Birding Trail Memorial Day Festival is on for 2024 After 10 wonderful years we are undergoing a leadership transition, and with limited time constraints, we are having a smaller festival this year: the Birding Foray on the Beaver. Beaver Island is in...
Townships Announce Short-term Rental Listening Sessions
The Island townships have set times for listening sessions on short-term rental issues on the island. Supervisors Welke and Dal Pra say they want your information, ideas, and data as they look to understand potential long-term land use. The supervisors along with...
