Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News The Newsletter of the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund Volume 11, Number 1 • Early Spring 2003

Great Lakes Residents Love Their Lakes but Worry About Pollution

The results of a three-phased research project, conducted by Beldon Russonello and Stewart for The Joyce Foundation and the Biodiversity Project, 2002, indicate that Great Lakes residents feel strong personal responsibility for the health of the Great Lakes. Some key points from the poll:

• People who live near the lakes believe they are “vital to the
region’s economy” (70%); a “place for recreation” (63%); and “one of the natural wonders of the world” (57%).
• Nearly all survey respondents (94%) agree that each of us has
a personal responsibility to protect the lakes.
• Nearly all survey respondents (96%) agree that we need to do more to protect the Great Lakes from Pollution.
• Seven in ten residents oppose exporting Great Lakes water to other regions.

For more information about how the research was conducted or to receive a copy of the report, Protecting the Great Lakes: Responsibility to Awareness to Action, Public Opinion research in the Great Lakes States, please contact the Biodiversity Project, 214 N. Henry St. Suite 201, Madison, WI 53703, (608) 250-9876 or visit their website at www.biodiversityproject.org.

Return to Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News Index