The Belle Isle Conservancy’s new website includes a space to share island memories, a centralized calendar, and Spotify playlists for the island.
Dustin Blitchok, Planet Detroit
Dustin Blitchok brings extensive editorial leadership experience, having served as an editor at Benzinga and Metro Times, and got his start in journalism at The Oakland Press. As a longtime Detroit resident and journalist, he has covered a wide range of public interest stories, including criminal justice and government accountability.
Posted inEnvironment, Health and Welfare
Detroit air quality declines due to winter weather patterns: What the forecast says
Michigan is in a warmer weather pattern that traps pollution at the surface, a meteorologist tells Planet Detroit.
Posted inEnvironment
Detroit gathering focuses on role of environmental justice in Michigan’s climate work
The engagement session aims to address community needs and the bigger climate picture, says Regina Strong, the state’s environmental justice public advocate.
Posted inEnvironment
Activists demand shutdown of Detroit hazardous waste facility with long violation history
US Ecology has received dozens of state violations for air quality noncompliance at the Frederick Street facility since 2014.
Posted inEnvironment
Volunteers bring vacant East Warren Avenue lots one step closer to arboretum, botanical garden
Detroit Hives aims to complete the community-reflected East Warren Community Arboretum & Botanical Garden by October 2026.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Belle Isle could shut down without Lansing budget deal: ‘That would be terrible’
Michigan must pass a budget by Oct. 1 to avoid a government shutdown and resulting closures or access limitations at state parks like Belle Isle.
Posted inCivic and Community Information, Environment
‘Actions speak louder than words’: Detroiters weigh in on Belle Isle’s future following $144M investment
A decade after the state takeover and $144 million in improvements, Detroiters are weighing what’s been gained, and what’s been lost, on the city’s river island.
Posted inElection 2025, Environment
‘Detroit needs to take its water back’: Mayoral candidate Joel Haashiim on utility shutoffs
Detroit mayoral candidate Joel Haashiim talks pollution enforcement, utility shutoffs, flooding, why he opposes neighborhood solar developments, and more with Planet Detroit.
Posted inElection 2025, Environment
Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins says she’ll work for city’s most vulnerable
Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins talks environmental impact, utility affordability, public transit, public health, ICE, the Office of Sustainability, and the tree canopy with Planet Detroit.
Posted inElection 2025, Environment
Fred Durhal III on fixing Detroit’s flooding problem: ‘I’ll be very aggressive’
“It’s going to take a lot of funding,” Detroit mayoral candidate Fred Durhal III says of upgrading the city’s infrastructure to combat flooding.