Hi Everyone, The geese on Commerce Lake, Lake Sherwood, and all over Michigan need our help. Through the Freedom of Information Act, I found out from the USDA that these two lakes have not had the correct amount of signatures on their petitions to participate in the goose round up program for many years now. This program separates the goslings and juveniles from their parents. They are all put in cages without food or water, and then they are transported to state game land, where they will eventually be hunted. WE NEED TO ACT QUICKLY: THE ROUND UPS ARE STARTING THIS WEEK AND MUTE SWANS CONTINUE TO BE SLAUGHTERED! The DNR FOIA Specialist, Casey Reitz, has admitted that the DNR does not verify the petitions. They take any applications and petitions submitted to them as true and correct because they claim the people who turn them in sign that they are. This crazy verification process holds true for the Mute Swan management plan as well, only the swans are killed and not relocated as the geese are. You see, the Mute Swans are not a game bird and the DNR cannot make money on them. The geese are game birds and can be hunted, so the DNR makes lots of money on them. FYI : The DNR gave a conservation award to a guy named Joe Johnson for bringing in the resident Canada goose to Michigan. He also is responsible for bringing Trumpeter swan eggs from Alaska to start a population in Michigan. The Trumpeter is a game bird and will be hunted as the population grows. "It is a pleasure to recognize an individual who has helped the (DNR) with many wildlife research projects over the years, but has also taken the time to be an invaluable mentor to many students who are now successful in their careers as wildlife managers," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries in a news release. The DNR said Johnson was instrumental in the successful return of the trumpeter swan in Michigan, leading at both state and Mississippi Flyway levels. He was personally involved in the transfer of trumpeter swan eggs from Alaska to Michigan, and developed and fine-tuned the process of releasing the birds into the wild. Johnson also helped stage the successful return of Canada geese to Michigan as a resident species. Please help be the voice for these innocent, family oriented birds. Contact: The Governors office : rick.snyder@michigan.gov - 517-373-3400 John Byrd : byrdj1@michigan.gov 517-335-7858 (Constituent Services) DNR Director: Keith Creagh : creaghk@michigan.gov – 517-284-6367 / 517-284-6237 CONTACT 7 ACTION NEWS: General/Breaking News: PHONE: 248-827-9407 EMAIL: news@wxyz.com The Investigators: PHONE: 248-827-9252 EMAIL: tips@wxyz.com Call For Action : PHONE: 248-827-3362 the Local 4 Defenders investigative team: 313-962-9348 - news@wdiv.com