Short, but sweet, summer on the Lakes

Mary McKinney: Schmidt Lake Michigan sunsets ~Enlarge

Dear Friends,

I am looking forward to being among the inspiring Great Lakes advocates at the Healing Our Waters 5th Annual Conference in Duluth, MN over September 10-12. Lake Superior’s north shore is a perfect place to celebrate our accomplishments and re-energize our spirits to further advance Great Lakes restoration and protection priorities basin-wide.

Annually, the Healing Our Waters Coalition honors those Great Lakers that have demonstrated a strong commitment to restoring and protecting our Great Lakes, in five categories: citizen, public official, member of the media, business, and lifetime.  Jennifer Heller with National Wildlife Federation is accepting nominations for the 2009 Great Laker awards until July 24, 2009.  To nominate a Great Laker or for more information, contact Jennifer Heller at hellerj@nwf.org

I typically spend the week following Labor Day on the sugar sand beaches of Lake Huron on Michigan’s sunrise side.  Just north of the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse in Harrisville, MI is my family’s little piece of paradise.  This year I plan to head up to Lake Huron earlier, in August, so I can return to Lake Superior’s deep blue water and dramatic shoreline in early September.  Following the conference, I plan to spend time with family and head up to Ely to kayak the boundary waters in celebration of the 100th anniversary of our bi-national commitment to our shared waters.

Before we know it, fall will be here.  Two important Great Lakes meetings will be held in Buffalo on October 22-23th.  The Clean Water Network is hosting a storm water caucus entitled: Smart, Green, and Clean:  21st Century Water Management in the Great Lakes on October 22-23 to discuss opportunities, examples, and strategies to reduce polluted run-off in the Great Lakes Region.  Space is limited, so register early for this rich and thoughtful discussion to advance sustainable water management.  Scholarships may be available, contact   for more information.

On October 24, the New York State Healing Our Waters Coalition will host the 4th annual meeting focusing on priorities to restore and protect Lake Erie and Lake Ontario at the same location.  The annual meeting is free and open to the public and registration will begin in August.  Contact greatlakes@citizenscampaign.org for more information.

Our summers are short, but sweet.  It is our charge to savor the sweet rain and warm sun.  Catch sunrises and sunsets on the horizon from the shores of our Great Lakes that never seem in end.

See you on the shores!

Dereth

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