It’s a scene that has been replayed countless times. In the midst of conversation about Michigan, especially locations in Michigan, someone plops their right hand down. Presto, an instant map.
From here, it’s easy task to orient listeners and give them a fairly good idea of what and where. This works especially well for the Lower Peninsula, of course. The UP? Not so much.
No matter. The point here is that Michigan is geographically unique, blessed with shores that touch four of the five Great Lakes, the largest concentration of fresh water in the world. Do we remember – do we really get – how special this state is?
For that reason alone, and for many others we could mention, it seems appropriate that we stop and ponder the gift of the Great Lakes and the role these treasures have played in the history of Michigan.
We should recognize what they contribute to our quality of life today and what, if we protect and defend them, they will mean for generations after us. There’s no better place to start such a self examination than the Alliance for the Great Lakes.
The Alliance began life as the Lake Michigan Federation nearly 40 years ago. It grew out of the impatience of Michigan citizens with the glacial pace of government in matters relating to lake protection.
In the words of their current website: “In 1970 citizens stood on the lakeshore and issued a powerful proclamation: ‘We don’t have to wait for governments or anyone else to protect Lake Michigan. We can take steps together to restore the lake we love.’”
In 2005, the organization became the Alliance for the Great Lakes, a move that signaled members’ recognition that decisions rendered by officials in other areas of the Great Lake basin affected Lake Michigan.
The mission of the new organization: “To conserve and restore the world’s largest freshwater resource using policy, education and local efforts, ensuring a healthy Great Lakes and clean water for generations of people and wildlife.”
To do the important work of conserving and restoring the world’s greatest freshwater resource, the Alliance has positioned the Great Lakes as a national treasure. Working through policy and education channels, the Alliance is spreading the word.
And by motivating local-level action and involvement, the group is mobilizing the citizens of the region. Teachers, legal specialists, scientists, government representatives, communities and individuals all play a part in the Alliance offensive.
Among Alliance initiatives are programs focusing on water quality, water conservation, habitat recovery, land use, clean energy and education/outreach. A small group of volunteers from throughout the Great Lakes region governs the group and coordinates a network of locally based organizations.
In the spring, I’ll tell you more about one of their programs especially appealing to folks at the local level – the Adopt a Beach effort. In the meantime, I urge you to learn more by visiting their website or contacting the Michigan office in Grand Haven (616-850-0745).
Photo courtesy of NOAA, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
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