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Michigan Ag News Headlines
Earth Day History Began in the Great Lakes
By: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality - 04/21/2017

Did you know? The very first Earth Day was organized by a Great Lakes Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin

Senator (and later, Governor) Nelson supported emerging grassroots efforts and prepared a series of nationwide environmental events held on April 22, 1970. The 1970s marked a period of environmental awakening in much of mainstream America as public outcry grew over toxic air and polluted waterways.

The swell of support for pollution control and environmentally-progressive policies led to the swift passage of the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Endangered Species Acts. These Acts had huge impacts for the Great Lakes.

Since 1970, the Great Lakes have benefited from cleanups of contamination, point source pollution control, recycling initiatives, brownfield redevelopment projects, and the implementation of green infrastructure techniques. More recently, initiatives like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative have supported massive progress in removing toxic chemicals like mercury and PCBs from the region's lakes and rivers.

So what does Earth Day mean for the Great Lakes today?

The good news is, we've come a long way, but now is not the time to stop making progress.

Today's threats to the Great Lakes are complex, and less obvious than the burning rivers or piles of trash of the past. Some of today's most pressing Great Lakes threats include:

- Aquatic invasive species hitchhiking into Great Lakes waterways

- The unknown effects of emerging contaminants like fire retardants and pharmaceuticals

- The proliferation of microplastics in Great Lakes waters and sediments

- The need for accurate spill prevention strategies

- Harmful algal blooms threatening drinking water supplies and wildlife

- The need to invest in our region's infrastructure to protect health and water quality

Our region's globally-significant Great Lakes resources are relied upon by millions for drinking water, constitute 20 percent of the world's fresh water, and are a biological treasure called home by unique plant and wildlife communities. They are also valuable for transportation of goods throughout the world, powering a national and global economy.

Continue the spirit of the first Earth Day by pledging to be a Great Lakes steward. Take the next step today by getting involved locally to protect our precious water resources. Participate in citizen volunteer water monitoring through the MiCorps program, organize an Adopt-a-Beach event, register for a Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership workshop, or take steps to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by cleaning, draining and drying boating equipment.

Learn more about how the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes works to protect, restore, and sustain the Great Lakes at www.michigan.gov/deqogl.


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