We Are Lake Erie Day!
Yesterday, August 8th, many of you showed an outpouring of love and concern for Lake Erie. #WeAreLakeErie celebrates and highlights the need to protect Lake Erie with advocates and community members sharing their photos and stories about the lake. Read more in our blog about how the challenges to the health of Lake Erie are challenges to our own well being- and how we can all make a difference. Right now, the lake is plagued by harmful algal blooms that threaten wildlife, drinking water, and our ability to be in the lake. Thank you to everyone who helped create a wave of support for Lake Erie – check out some of our favorites below:
Elaine shared on Facebook, “Have been going to Presque Isle my whole life! I’m 72 and this is one of my fave places on earth! Have been kayaking so many times, hiking, swimming, parties at the lodge there, PI Days celebration. Just to hang out with friends over the years. My mom took her 6 girls to the beach for entertainment, cook meals on the grills, ice skated on the Bay! I even wrote a story in middle school about Presque Isle! Beach glass collecting too. Love our great Presque Isle!”
Bald Eagle nest at Lakeview Park in Lorain, Ohio shared by Brad Charles Melzer
Lake Erie sunset in Dunkirk, NY by Lynda Serafin Marquardt
Trumpeter Swan. Photo courtesy of Chuck Robbins
A Landmark Victory for Great Lakes Water Protection: Michigan Supreme Court Upholds EGLE’s Authority
The Michigan Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) authority to enforce protective conditions for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) marks a significant victory for the Great Lakes and Michigan communities. With this ruling, the court affirmed EGLE’s ability to develop stringent permit conditions aimed at safeguarding water quality. Freshwater Future, along with other environmental groups, acted as intervenors in the legal battle, supporting stronger regulatory measures to prevent contaminants from CAFOs from polluting Michigan’s waters. Read more about this long-fought victory in our blog post!
Fall Grant Cycle is Open! Does Your Group Need Funding for Water Advocacy?
Could Freshwater Future help support your advocacy campaign? Our Fall project grant cycle is open for submissions until September 30th, 2024! These grants provide financial support for community groups working to promote drinking water, river, lake, shoreline, wetland, and groundwater protection in the Great Lakes Basin through grassroots advocacy efforts. Interested in applying? Call Freshwater Future staff to share more about your idea before submitting a project grant proposal. Contact Laurie Breighner, laurie@freshwaterfuture.org or (231)348-8200 ext. 1, to check your eligibility, help with your application, or to ask questions. You can learn more about our Fall Project Grants here and sign up to attend the Q&A Webinar on Thursday, September 12, 2024 – 12-1pm (EST).
Join Us on August 22nd for Freshwater Future’s Virtual Monthly Wellness Session
Our waters depend on community leaders like you and we know the work can be as stressful and draining as it is rewarding and critical. Join us this month on Thursday, July 25th at 11:30 am ET to learn and practice proven methods that reduce stress and help you re-energize to continue your water work. 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. The event is FREE and everyone is welcome – share with family, friends, co-workers, and volunteers. Click here to sign up!
One Year Later: Lake Ontario Chemical Spill Clean Up Failure and Cover Up
In August 2023, a major fire at a chemical facility in northwest Toronto resulted in a significant oil spill. The spill involved toxic sludge composed of oil, firefighting foam, and water used to extinguish the fire. This contaminated runoff flowed through Mimico and Humber Creeks, killing wildlife. About a week after the spill, a rainstorm and insufficient cleanup response resulted in the breaching of containment dams and pollution flowing downstream and into Lake Ontario – the drinking water source for nine million people. Concerned residents’ calls to provincial and local agencies about potential breaching of the dams and the pollution were not heeded. Freshwater Future appreciates the efforts of all the residents who contacted officials. We will track this issue and keep you informed on the cleanup’s status.
