Michigan Joins Global Effort to Protect Freshwater Resources
State agency spotlights public participation and youth education programs for the United Nations initiative.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and its Office of the Great Lakes are encouraging residents to participate in international freshwater conservation efforts as part of the United Nations World Lake Day on August 27.
The global initiative focuses on preserving, celebrating and managing the world’s lakes and surrounding aquatic ecosystems. State officials are highlighting community stewardship and youth educational resources to help protect inland lakes, streams, aquifers and the Great Lakes.
Residents can participate through local conservation activities, including joining beach cleanups, reporting potential harmful algal blooms to state regulators, and following responsible recreation guidelines while boating, fishing or paddling on state water trails. State programs such as the Michigan Clean Water Corps also offer opportunities for volunteers to collect water quality and habitat data across local watersheds.
Educational opportunities organized around the initiative include an international webinar co-hosted by AquaVox and Water Solutionaries, featuring state environmental leaders discussing global lake preservation, science-based solutions and youth-led action. Additional resources are available through the state’s Great Lakes stewardship webinar series and regional library collections focused on freshwater science.
Youth-focused programming remains a key component of the state’s outreach. Programs such as the From Students to Stewards Initiative, the MiSTEM Freshwater Literacy and Stewardship playbook, and resources from the Center for Great Lakes Literacy aim to integrate place-based and problem-based environmental education into elementary and secondary school curricula.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is Assistant Editor of EPOnline.com.
