Great Lakes Restoration: What We Can Do 

    For every time we’ve enjoyed the inland beaches of the Great Lakes, for every county-owned public dock system, for all the local food sourcing we enjoy— there are more than enough reasons to care about the wellbeing of the Great Lakes. 

      Northern Nail Polish has partnered with the Alliance for The Great Lakes, an organization whose straightforward intention to conserve the Great Lakes is impacting our beloved waterways daily. Aside from sourcing locally to impact economic stimulation within the community and supporting a business for good, there are various ways we as individuals can play a vital role in the restoration of the Great Lakes.

How Are We Impacting the Great Lakes? 

       To resolve the current ecological crisis, we must recognize our role within the ecosystem. As members of the Great Lakes communities, our responsibility to maintain the waterways is clear. There is a plethora of angles to the predicament that has developed within our relationship with such a valued element of our livelihoods. Due to behaviors that we have developed without awareness of the scope of damage that ripples back into the Great Lakes, it has become a front doorstep issue.

    One of the wearier concerns include the pollution to the diverse wildlife that live within the lakes. Plastic pollution has become just as much a concern in a very similar way as that of which is affecting the oceans. Research out of Rochester Institute of Technology describes data of potentially 22 million pounds of plastic annually finding its way into the Great Lakes. The plastic pollution can come from our remnants of a camping trip, the flipping of a kayak, or even as slyly as that of the microplastics in our laundry as it drains into the water supply. Being mindful of where our plastic waste goes to is a great first habit to build, as the issue is one of the larger concerns.

            Other concerns include invasive species transfer, which can happen even when transferring within local waters. The threat is real—what may be destroying algae species downstate this spring season does not need to find a way into the lakeshores upstate. Fertilizer runoff is another concern, and though it is being addressed on a community-government level, there are still roles we as individuals can play in the process of better controlling the pollution that is caused by fertilizer use. 

            The Great Lakes are facing massive water toxicity levels from the inappropriate disposal of medication. This can become detrimental to the biodiversity beneath the waterscape, and though it has seen more direct effects within the riverways, the Great Lakes are not immune to the problem. What the lakes have in their favor, though, is the dilution that can come from the size of the body of water. The medication that has now found its way into the bay area is luckily less impacting than that which may reside in the Boardman River due to the sheer amount of water to disperse it safely. 

            Being engaged in the wellbeing of our Great Lake system is not only empowering but it is also necessary. As time passes by, the concerns will only grow, and the severity of the impact will as well. Whether it be by bringing carry cases/bags with you on your boat trip, or driving 10 minutes out of your way to stop at a medication drop-off facility, the reward of acting is found in the awareness of how much better off the wonderous lakes of Michigan will be if one were to choose to be more responsible than otherwise is presented. 

            Here are five straightforward ways to take responsibility as a resident of the Great Lakes state. 

5 Ways to Be a Steward of The Great Lakes

       Don’t think too hard about these, as if by doing all of them simultaneously will make it more effective. Choose one or two to target for habit building and go from there. The intention is to do our best, not to be the best, when it comes to sustainable living and habit building. 

1.  consider reducing plastic

       Plastic is a massive contributor to dysfunction in our present waterways worldwide. From the impact on marine life to food sourcing, the concern is high. Overall, the primary polluting substance found on beaches and waterways has been cigarette butts, food wrappers, and beverage containers. It is safe to say that all of these items are quite simple to spot on our beaches.

             During the various times we find ourselves enjoying the atmosphere of the freshwater beaches in Michigan, remain aware of what you bring to the space— to ensure you take it back out with you. Great Lake pollution is an accumulation problem, as the lakes make great basins for the waste to rest at the bottom and create lasting toxicity throughout the water, impacting almost every element of the ecosystems— including those which we source for consumption. 

            When you are planning a river float or a night on the boat, bring a water-resistant bag- such as an old potato bag- to put any collected waste in. Using the right container will make all the difference if there is an incident where the boating device tips, as then it is at least all contained for easy retrieval, whether by you or someone else. Consider reducing single-use plastic entirely from daily habits to help contribute to the lessening of waste that is cultivated yearly along the edges of the lakes (and throughout the globe). We’d be surprised to see the amount of litter we produce yearly, without us even realizing it. Plastic has worked its way to being one of the main contributors.

2.   free our farms from pesticides 

         Reducing pesticide use both within industrial agriculture and at our home garden can impact the water pollution that is affecting the Great Lakes. Pesticide’s runoff into the waterways during rainfall, which all eventually lead into the lake system. These can be natural, and luckily, we are in an area that values sustainable food systems, but the reality is that they are often dangerous when entering the local ecosystems. 

            There are three ways an individual can provide relief to the impact that pesticides create on the local ecosystems. The first way we can better our relationship with the Great Lakes through reimagining the agricultural standards is by practicing healthy gardening habits at our home. Utilizing waterway safe pesticides when there is a need to is a direct way to improve our personal impact. If you are not equipped with a personal garden, consider speaking out locally on opinions and suggestions related to shifting the normal forms of pesticides to a waterway safe alternative. 

            A third way is to simply ensure that you are consuming food products that are sourced from sustainable farms, primarily organic as that is a sure way to avoid pesticide use. One of the great things about Michigan is how simple it can be to source staple items, and even more exotic ones, locally. By keeping the supply chain minimum and the products simple, a person can easily trace impact back to reduction of runoff into the Great Lakes— to give scope to how involved everything is with one another. 

3.   be mindful of invasive species transfers

         When traveling throughout the Great Lakes region, consider that each area of the shoreline, river headways, and all the expansive space that extends beyond the beaches and dunes is unique. The ecosystems are diverse in their own way, and where one area may have large amounts of an insect with no concern, the other may be struggling to manage the over population that has arose that spring. This can become even more complicated when invasive species are brought into the equation. 

            Invasive species are species that are foreign to habitats, but are capable of surviving, typically thriving. This can have serious impact as the species may consume food sources necessary for the already present residents of the ecosystem, they may produce an enzyme that is detrimental to the algae population, or worse they may be a consumer and feed off of the life that call the waters home. The Great Lakes have a surplus of diversity within every region, which is why managing species transfer is essential.

            As an individual, we can take small steps to prevent species transfer and protect our lakes from invaders. Start by making habits to clean outdoor gear— even if you are just going from one region to the next. This includes shoes, tents, kayaks, coats, and so forth. We can also bring awareness to the situations that are already underway. Investigate the local DNR website for your area and learn about what “local” species are of focus. Being aware of these things can enhance our ability to act on part of the local ecosystem naturally, as well as equip us enough to engage in important conversations when the time is right. 

4.   appropriate medication disposal habits

         Medication disposal is not as simple as throwing the left-over capsules into the trash or toilet. This is surprisingly what many individuals have answered to be the thought appropriate measure of eradication thanks to a private poll conducted on Reddit. Medication is soluble, meaning it breaks down when exposed to water as it is intended to the same thing when it enters our digestive system. Consider the impact these medications may have on our local life in the Great Lakes when broken down and consumed consistently by all that is in radius of. 

            There are various facilities throughout the state where one can drop off medication appropriately. Some of these include simple drop-boxes within community-hub buildings and at other times they consist of police and EMT officials managing booths and tents in local places for secure drop-off, as well as conversation on the topic. Utilizing these facilities is the best way to ensure that your leftover medication is disposed of in a way that will not end with polluting the Great Lakes.  

5.   involve yourself 

         There are various organizations, groups, programs, and initiatives that are present with the focus of improving the state of our Great Lakes. Involving oneself with these events or programs is a wonderful place to start developing awareness. The Alliance of The Great Lakes provides so many activities throughout the warmer seasons that are community-orientated and are intended to spark thought and conversation around the restoration and preservation of the Great Lakes. 

            You can even choose to go clean a beach on your own. No one is stopping anyone from taking the day to collect micro plastics from the sand, plastic bags from tumbling brambles. If you are unsure about where to start, choose the areas that are more populated. This gives room for conversation, and engagement around the topic. It is one thing to develop mindful habits regarding waterway sanitation, but it is another to be a steward of the cause, promoting its value through words and actions. This is not the place we are all striving to be, but the opportunity is present for those who are eager to be involved with something bigger than themselves. 

The Bigger Picture

            Preserving the Great Lakes means preserving biodiversity, both within the waterways and within the communities we reside in. The lakes are alluring to people all over the globes, providing a natural location with waters unlike any other. As residents, tourists, or just plain enthusiasts of water, it should be natural for us to want to act on behalf of ensuring the waterways are nourishing, not toxic. The true trial within the situation is presenting this information and public need to those who aren’t as emotionally connected to the concerns within the Great Lakes. This is where footwork comes into play. If you were not motivated before, through an even growing awareness, aspire to become so, as the more dialogue there is on this topic, the more impact there is the potential for. 

            When facing a big picture problem, conversation is always the best place to start, and a great place to stay present in. When sharing conversation about the restoration of the Great Lakes, make sure to mention Northern Nail Polish and their recent engagement with the Alliance for The Great Lakes. With each subscription box shipped out through May and June 2021, Northern Nail Polish has donated funds to the organization with intention to see the restoration of the Great Lakes succeed. 

            The Alliance for The Great Lakes is focused on various target objectives, such as protecting the water that we consume as well as that which is at risk of being polluted by our waste. They initiate annual beach clean-ups, offer “adopt a beach” programs, provide online education programs on the Great Lakes for kids (this is great for homeschooling families!), and plenty of other enriching activities and engagements for the community on behalf of the lakes. The idea behind these events and groups is to create a community awareness of the importance regarding ensuring we are acting with the wellbeing of the Great Lakes in mind. 

            If you are still seeking suggestions on how to improve your habits to better the impact you have on the Great Lakes, investigate the Alliance for The Great Lakes website, or even reach out directly.