Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, form the Great Lakes system, which is the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. They collectively contain 95% of America’s fresh surface water and have shores along eight states. In 2010 the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative began efforts to protect and restore the lakes in these ways: cleaning up areas of concern, preventing and controlling invasive species, reducing nutrient run-off that causes harmful algae blooms, and restoring habitat for native species. This initiative is at risk of being defunded, and the All Hands on Deck event was created to defend and promote the Great Lakes and the need for the GLRI.
On July 3rd over 60 communities along the shores of the Great Lakes participated in All Hands on Deck to support and raise awareness about the threatened state of this crucial resource. Water supporters joined hands in the hopes of drawing awareness for water to be: non politicized, non monetized, not polluted, protected from invasive species, and for watersheds and feeders to be contaminant free.
Ohio Sierra Club partnered with Green Ribbon Coalition for Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore to host an All Hands on Deck Event at Wendy Park in Cleveland. The event had over fifty participants that heard from several speakers, including Northeast Ohio Sierra Club’s Water Committee Chair Fran Mentch, during the hand hold. Participants also signed a petition urging U.S. Senators and Congressional Delegates from Ohio, state and local government officials to continue supporting the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes. The event concluded with a beach clean up to help beautify the Lake Erie Shoreline.