UPDATED: Celebrate Lake Superior Day: Listen, volunteer, enjoy the Lake!

EDITOR'S UPDATE:  Keweenaw Now received incorrect information on the date of the radio interview listed below. The broadcast of the interview was actually on Sunday, July 7 in preparation for Lake Superior Day. Click here for part 1 of the interview. Click here for part 2 of the interview described below.

HOUGHTON -- On Sunday, July 15, Lake Superior Day, listen to "Copper Country Today" Interview with Michigan Tech Scientists at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. -- a program on "Health of Lake Superior and the new Michigan Tech Great Lakes Research Center": 8 a.m.  Sunday on WCCY 1400 AM; 9 a.m. Sunday on WHKB 102.3FM.
  
Citizens and visitors are responsible for protecting and maintaining the beauty of Lake Superior's waters, shores and wildlife. Celebrate Lake Superior!

Michigan Tech scientists interviewed: Dr. Marty Auer, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Dr. Noel Urban, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering; Joan Chadde, Michigan Center for Science and Environmental Outreach.

Topics discussed:
1. How each is involved with Great Lakes or Lake Superior research and education
2. How do scientists assess the health of the Great Lakes? Describe what is sampled and why: oxygen, temperature, light penetration, benthic organisms, plankton.
3. Are all of the Great Lakes healthy?
4. Describe Michigan Tech's new Great Lakes Research Center -- How will it enhance Great Lakes research and education?
5. What can citizens do to protect the Great Lakes?

Lake Superior Day was established by the Lake Superior Binational Forum as an annual day all around the basin to celebrate our connections to the world's largest freshwater lake. Everyone is invited to do something special on (or near) Sunday, July 15, to connect to the natural and human environment in the watershed, such as:

•   Clean up litter on a beach or pull invasive species.*

•   Take a photograph of your favorite spot in the Lake Superior basin and email it to  binationalforum@northland.edu. They'll share it on their Facebook pages and website.

•   Attend a special event **

•   Attend a special church service at a house of worship

•   Fly a kite, which is a symbol of clean energy. Clean air means clean water.

•   Bring educational materials to your family picnic, like the Forum's free paper placemat supported by a grant through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Forum members and volunteers have distributed almost 300,000 placemats to about 200 businesses all around the lake this year.

•   Get on the water! Kayak, sail, canoe, motor boat, personal water craft--whatever vessel you prefer! Or swim in the lake!

Editor's Notes:

* See our article on pulling spotted knapweed.

** Celebrate Lake Superior Day at Save the Wild UP's WATERPALOOZA in Marquette.

Visit the Lake Superior Binational Forum Web site to learn more about Lake Superior Day and their work.