Grand Rapids, Mich. (May 25)—Several of Michigan’s leading champions who are working to restore the Great Lakes by fighting invasive species and preventing sewage contamination joined a national coalition to announce the launch of the Great Lakes Story & Photo Contest.
“We’re searching for people’s wonderful stories and photos of the Great Lakes –- stories of family memories, of hardship and hope, of calm beauty and angry storms,” said Andy Buchsbaum, co-chair of the Healing Our Waters®-Great Lakes Coalition, which is sponsoring the contest. “The Great Lakes have their own compelling story to tell—one of a great resource under attack from sewage contamination and invasive species. We still have time to write a happy ending for the lakes, but only if we act now.”
U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Grand Rapids), Grand Rapids Mayor George Hartwell, Michigan United Conservation Clubs interim executive director Donna Stine, John Ball Zoo director Bert Vescolani, and Michigan philanthropist and former CEO of Steelcase Inc. Peter Wege joined with members of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition to announce the contest and tell their own personal stories.
U.S Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers (R-Grand Rapids), a long-time champion of the Great Lakes and current co-chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, spoke at the event, telling a story about how he was approached by a Congressional colleague who wondered why federal money was being spent to study the muscles of zebras—obviously unaware of the notorious Great Lakes invader, the zebra mussel, which has caused billions of dollars of damage in the region.
“I knew then that I had a lot of work to do in educating my fellow members of Congress about the problem invasive species pose to the Great Lakes’ ecosystem,” said Ehlers. “I am pleased to acknowledge that Michigan’s entire Congressional delegation has recently signed on to legislation to restore the Great Lakes.”
Millions of people depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water, economy, and quality of life, including generations of anglers, boaters, campers, hikers, bird-watchers and swimmers.
“It is important for people—especially children—to understand how important the Great Lakes are to people, fish and wildlife,” said Vescolani, director of John Ball Zoo, a member of the coalition. “This contest provides a wonderful opportunity to draw attention to an issue of great importance to people in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the rest of the country.”
Contest sponsors include: Akron Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, John Ball Zoo, Meijer, REI and Shedd Aquarium.
“The Great Lakes are essential to the economy and quality of life for millions of people, businesses and communities,” said Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, who is a member of the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a group of over 85 mayors from the United States and Canada working for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes. “I am hoping this contest gives momentum to the effort to restore the Great Lakes, because every day we wait the problems get worse and more costly.”
The <a href="contest seeks to inspire people of all ages to submit their stories and photos for a chance to win prizes. Sixteen prizes will be awarded every month in June, July and August. Grand prizes include two outdoor adventure packages—including a kayak, tent and sleeping bag—and two photography packages—including a digital camera and camera bag. Over $7,500 in prizes will be awarded.
“The story of the Great Lakes is still being crafted, and we have the opportunity to decide how the story ends,” said Donna Stine, interim executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “We don’t want the story of the Great Lakes to be about the one that got away.”
The Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives Campaign is directed by the Healing Our Waters®-Great Lakes Coalition. The coalition consists of more than 90 zoos, aquariums, museums, and hunting, fishing, and environmental organizations representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes.
Contact:
Jordan Lubetkin, National Wildlife Federation, (734) 904-1589, Lubetkin@nwf.org
Related posts:
- Great Lakes Story and Photo Contest
- Coalition Announces July Winners of Great Lakes Story & Photo Contest
- Great Lakes Story and Photo Contest – June Winners Announced
- Coalition Announces Winners of Great Lakes Story & Photo Contest
- Sample Contest Photo: Steelhead taken on the Grand River, Ohio