Follow Me To ... the Great Lakes (#2)

Environmental Letter Writing Campaign

Did you know that you can do community service in your pajamas, sipping coffee at your computer?  Well, you can -- I did!  While searching for a volunteer project, I came upon the Izaak Walton League website, a national conservation organization, and clicked on "take action."  They asked interested citizens to take part in a letter writing campaign to help protect the Great Lakes and address other clean water needs.  It was easy!  I entered my zip code, was shown my list of representatives, and was provided with a template letter.  Did I have a particular interest in the Great Lakes?  No, not really but after reading about the issue, I was happy to get involved as political action is certainly an important community service.   

There were three letters to send.  First, to Representative Delaney and Senators  Cardin and Van Hollen requesting that they not cut funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by the proposed 97%.  Did you know that the Great Lakes holds 95% of the surface fresh water in the US providing drinking water, recreation, transportation, and power to over 30 million people?  It is also home to over 3,500 species of plants and animals.  Funding is needed to prevent invasive species and to protect and restore habitats while reducing bad run off.  The second letter was to President Trump asking him NOT to use Justice Scalia's opinion to define water protected by the Clean Water Act and to uphold the Clean Water rule as sound and provide funding as needed (Good luck with that!).  Lastly, I urged Rep Delaney to help ensure that the Dept. of Transportation studies the economic and environmental risks of hazardous spills and pipeline leaks in the Strait of Mackinanc (a strait that connects Lakes Michigan and Huron).  It felt good to be an engaged citizen while at the same time being in my pajamas!  

My Takeaways: (1) Not every act has to be big to make a difference; (2) You can do good things from the comfort of your own home; and (3) I was reminded how vital the Great Lakes are.   

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