the great lakes

The Great Lakes

H. Huron

O. Ontario

M. Michigan

E. Erie

S. Superior

Lake Michigan ShorelineAWisconsin Jewel

Lake Michigan has a surface area of over 22,000 square miles – ranking it as the 5th largest lake in the world (Superior is 2nd, Huron is 4th).

Over 10,000,000 people live within it’s watershed.

You are here!

Who Uses the Water and the Watershed?

Residential – 39%

Recreation – 24%

Commercial uses – 12%

Agriculture – 20%

In Wisconsin steps are underway to improve our shorelines – one beach at a time.

How you can get involvedHow you can get involved

• A year round program

• September Adopt-a-Beach is part of an international event

• Data collection

• Pollution prevention and education

Make an immediate Make an immediate impact with every visitimpact with every visit

3-5 visits per year3-5 visits per year Identify trends in litter Identify trends in litter

type or quantitiestype or quantities Provide “hard data” to Provide “hard data” to

leaders in communityleaders in community Raise public awareness Raise public awareness

of issues along your of issues along your beachbeach

The first Adopt-a-Beach groups in Wisconsin formed in 2004

In 2007, adopters have adopted beaches all along both Lake Michigan and Lake Superior

How does Adopt-a-Beach work?

Adopters, using Alliance for theGreat Lakes data forms:

– Make a visual assessment of the beach and it’s facilities

– Collect and record trash items from the beach

– Conduct a water quality text for presence of E. coli bacteria

– Enter data into the Alliance for the Great Lakes database

The Beach Assessment Form

The Litter Monitoring Form

The Litter Tally Sheet

McKinley Beach Trash Profile 2004-2006

Tobacco products make up 29% of all collected material

Food related items make up 22% of all collected material

The Water Monitoring Form

In 2006 Adopters from around the Great Lakes

documented nearly 10 tons of trash.

154,000 cigarette butts154,000 cigarette butts

109,000 food related items109,000 food related items

7,600 balloons7,600 balloons

Taking ActionTaking Action

• Write a letter to your representatives to share you data and experience

• Invite others to join you on your beach visits

• Display results for public viewing

How else can you help?How else can you help?

It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Become A Member2. Become A Volunteer3. Tell Your Friends & Family About Us

Visit us at:Visit us at: http://www.greatlakes.orghttp://www.greatlakes.orgor

Write us at: adoptabeach@greatlakes.org