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As great lakes week moves forward, another thing to keep in mind is Michigan’s many beautiful beaches. And why not take some time to help clean up our coastlines with the alliance for the great lakes. The organization makes it very easy for people to sign up for a cleanup event, or even host on themselves. The Adopt-a-Beach program is not as formal as the state’s Adopt-a-Highway program that many people and organizations take part in. But adopting a beach does come with a formal process to collect data.
Collecting information on trash clean up in the great lakes is very important to understanding the future health of these bodies of water. And can give insight as to how wasted plastics and other trash end up on our beaches.
If you are interested in finding a beach cleanup event, or even hosting your own for your favorite spot on Lake Superior, check out the Alliance for the Great Lakes online. They have an interactive map showing clean up events each day, and many resources to educate the public on keeping our coasts clean and pristine for everyone.
Volunteer Engagement Manager, Juliann Krupa, says that there are dedicated team leaders already throughout the Upper Peninsula. And typically the Alliance sees more events in the area around the fall. The organization is holding a virtual training for team leads in July. Details are still being finalized, but more information should appear on their website in the next couple of weeks.
Unlike ocean plastics, that travel long distances from far away places before ending their journey at the coast. plastic pollution in the Great Lakes often are left behind by visitors or from other points inland. Plastic pollutants make up 80 to 90 percent of the trash picked up on the beach.
