Freshwater Future Weekly: June 10, 2022

This Week: Over 5,000 Gallons of Oil Spilled in St. Mary’s River + Freshwater Future Hosts Two Environmental Fellows + Freshwater Future Staff Member, Kristen Haitaian Joins Water Advocates at National River Rally + Registration Deadline for All About Water Virtual Event this Friday, June 10th! + Bottled Water Reminder
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Over 5,000 Gallons of Oil Spilled in St. Mary’s River

On Thursday, 5,300 gallons of oil spilled from a steel mill in Sault Ste. Marie Canada into the St. Mary’s River.  The spill extends from the steel mill to the north end of Sugar Island. Canadian, U.S. and Tribal agencies are coordinating to assess the damage and cleanup. While we wait to learn more about the impacts, this disaster is a reminder that oil spill accidents are a very real threat to our Great Lakes water resources and stronger protections such as shutting down Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac are needed to avoid future catastrophes.

Freshwater Future Hosts Two Environmental Fellows

Freshwater Future is proud to host two graduate students, Anna Bunting and Carla Lopez Lloreda, from the Environmental Fellows Program this summer.  The Environmental Fellows Program operates out of the Yale School of the Environment, providing opportunities for historically underrepresented students in the environmental workforce to gain work experience in environmental philanthropies, the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, and government agencies. Learn more about this program and the projects Anna and Carla are working on this summer on our Blog.

Above: Anna Bunting is currently a master’s student at University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability specializing in environmental justice and sustainability & development. 
Right: Carla López Lloreda is a Puerto Rican Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech studying water quality and carbon cycling in streams and wetlands.

Freshwater Future Staff Member, Kristen Haitaian Joins Water Advocates at National River Rally 

On June 6th, 2022, staff member Kristen Haitaian attended the River Rally in Washington, D.C., an annual water conference for professionals invested in a sustainable water future hosted by the River Network. Read more about Kristen’s experience attending this year’s conference.

Above: Panelists discuss past mistakes and future opportunities to influence equitable climate and water outcomes at the local level. 
Right: Kristen Haitaian, Freshwater Future with Michael Harris of the Flint Community Lab connect at River Rally.

Registration Deadline Extended Until June 10th for All About Water Virtual Event! 

Don’t miss out on the upcoming All About Water Virtual Event, June 22. With a lineup of experts with diverse perspectives, we will share what you need to know about accessing federal funding to improve your community’s drinking system.  Learn more about the speakers here:

  • Jonathan Nelson, Senior Advisor for Technical Assistance and Community Engagement to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water 
  • Eric Pocan & Paul McDonald, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
  • Jason Cole, Michigan Minority Contractors Association 
  • Nicholas Leonard, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center.

Deadline has been extended until June 10th, sign-up today and share with your friends!

Bottled Water Reminder