LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: Join Us at the Great Lakes Harmful Algae Conference May 1-2.
Did you know EVERY Great Lake now experiences harmful algal blooms (HABs)? HABs can cause health impacts from breathing in the toxins or touching the impacted waters, and in some cases, HABs have shut down water systems completely. Manure from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations’ (CAFOs) is a leading contributor of pollution causing these blooms. You’re invited to the Great Lakes HABs & CAFO Conference to network on this issue, learn from experts, tour CAFO sites and more in Toledo, OH, May 1-2, 2024. Virtual attendance is also available. Register by Monday, April 25th and find out more here.
Next Week: Register for Freshwater Future’s New Mindfulness and Movement Monthly Wellness Sessions
Water protectors (that’s you!) are under a lot of stress in the fight to protect the people and waters of the Great Lakes. We see you, we appreciate you, and we invite you to a dedicated space to heal our hearts, minds, and bodies. Our facilitator, Jonathan Relucio, is a skilled practitioner of trauma-informed mindfulness, yoga, and meditation with over 20 years of experience advocating for social justice. Please join us for monthly wellness-focused sessions starting next week on April 25th at 11:30 am ET. Sessions will run for 45 minutes. Please register here and we hope to see you!
Save the Date: Wonders of the Great Lakes 2024 Online Auction
From May 17th-31st, join Freshwater Future’s 2024 Wonders of the Great Lakes Online Auction! You’ll enjoy bidding on regional food and gift items, recreational gear, tasting tours, event and museum passes, and boat and kayak tours. We are excited to feature businesses and organizations around the Great Lakes showcasing the wonderful places, experiences, recreation, and products in our region that make it so special. Stay tuned for more auction details as we get closer. Are you a part of an organization or business in the Great Lakes region that would like to donate an item, tickets, or service to the auction? We would love to have you join us! Please email leslie@freshwaterfuture.org for auction questions or further information regarding sponsorship opportunities.
Public Trust Podcast: Wisconsin’s Battle with Forever Chemicals
Last week, we shared that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s adopted standards for the toxic chemicals called PFAS (per and poly-fluoroalkylsubstances) A four-part podcast series by Midwest Environmental Advocates and Wisconsin Sea Grant explores Wisconsin’s response to PFAS contamination from the perspective of residents who have been directly impacted by “forever chemicals” in their drinking water. Listen and learn about how PFAS has made tap water unusable for an entire town, how PFAS affects tribal communities, and their fight for environmental justice.
