Home    Happenings    June 2005 Happenings

Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula June 27, 2005   Press Release © 2005 Lake Superior Binational Forum. Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson.

Celebrate Lake Superior Day, July 17

ASHLAND, WIS. -- The largest freshwater lake in the world has its own day of recognition held annually on the third Sunday in July (July 17 this year). Communities, businesses, industries, civic and community groups and clubs, churches, schools and individuals or families are invited to hold activities or events that celebrate this world-class lake. Any one can organize an event or activity that symbolizes a connection to the Lake Superior basin.

The Lake Superior Binational Forum is promoting this basin-wide event to highlight the personal, environmental, economic, and spiritual connections people have to this unique world treasure. 

Lake Superior shoreline at Bete Grise South on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The "singing" sand at Bete Grise, as well as unique wetlands, will now be protected for future generations, thanks to a partnership organized by the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The Bete Grise Preserve will be dedicated on July 9, 2005.  (Keweenaw Now file photo  2004 Michele Anderson)

Groups around the lake are already organizing special actions for July 17. Many elected and tribal officials in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario are signing proclamations that designate the third Sunday in July as Lake Superior Day. Some cities, such as Superior, Wisconsin, are holding special events. Organizers in Superior are sponsoring a dragon boat race and a beach clean-up. 

For more information, email the Forum at lakesuperiorday@northland.edu. 

The Lake Superior Binational Forum is a multi-sector stakeholder group of American and Canadian volunteers who work together to provide input to governments about these efforts and to educate basin residents about ways to protect and restore the lake. Members come from Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario.

The Forum is located in the United States at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College in Ashland, Wis., and in Canada at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Forum is funded in the U.S. by a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office and in Canada by Environment Canada.

Visit the Web site of the Lake Superior Binational Forum for ideas on how to celebrate Lake Superior Day. The Forum Web site offers ideas for Anglers and Boaters, Local Governments, Faith Community, Environmental Groups, Libraries and Small and Large Businesses. Find out how you or your group can participate in this effort  to remind people how important the lake and its natural resources are to our everyday living and to encourage each of us to take action to protect it. 

Visit the Keweenaw Now discussion forums to comment on this article.