Lake Erie Paradise: All Is Not Lost
The event held on August 15, 2024 at 7:00 PM in the Community Clubhouse was very well attended by Hanford Bay residents and from elsewhere such as from Sunset Bay.
Thirty six people gathered to hear Katherine Jones, Director of Education and Conservation for the Aquarium of Niagara Falls provide a message of hope and action for the future of this valuable resource that we all enjoy.
She gave us a powerful message that although Lake Erie like the other Great Lakes has had its share of near-death experiences going back at least 100 years, the lake is quite resilient and able to heal itself if problem sources are reduced or eliminated.
She began her presentation by explaining that humans have been the cause of many of its problems such as wide-spread pollution via human waste contamination, chemical contamination, and allowance into the Great Lakes of many Invasive aquatic species. Collectively, these invaders dramatically upset the ecosystems in the lakes that result in the decline of native species and the industries related to them such as commercial and sport fishing. Another example that she gave us was the ongoing presence in the summer months of harmful algal blooms primarily towards the west end of Lake Erie. These blooms are a two-fold threat in that they can severely deplete the oxygen levels in the water and thereby kill fish in the area and give off toxins that can harm or kill people. More importantly, ongoing pollution of the lakes may have a negative effect on our health since the lakes are our source of drinking water. Specifically, she reminded us of the ever present forms of plastics and especially micro and nano plastics that researchers are increasingly finding present in our bodies and are now studying the potential health effects of these materials.
Yet, she went on to tell us that definitely all is not lost. Thanks to the implementation of several laws over the years such as the Clean Water Act and subsequent efforts to control the “invaders”, Lake Erie in particular has the capacity to heal itself. Being the shallowest of the Great Lakes, it turns over its water volume every 2.6 years. Subsequently, there are signs that the lake’s ecosystem has improved. For example, she told us that Lake sturgeon are again found in the lake in greater quantities. Their presence should strengthen our resolve to continue our efforts to help control the “invaders”! For example, since all of us in the bay are Baykeepers, we will continue to do what we can to remove plastics from our shore and reduce our use of plastics.
The audience showed their appreciation for her presentation by applauding her and afterwards engaging her in many conversations about Lake Erie as well as the new expansion at the Niagara Falls Aquarium: Great Lakes 360 which has 16 new exhibits to delightfully immerse visitors of all ages in the diverse ecosystems of the Great Lakes. Here is a link describing the new venue at the Niagara Falls Aquarium: Greatlakes 360 -Aquarium of Niagara.
Another benefit of attending the presentation was that a raffle was held for a basket full of several non-plastic items worth $50.00 such as a bamboo toothbrush, metal cups, a body bar, a Swedish dish cloth and a metal basket. Kathy Shanahan was the winner!
