On this, the experts agree: The Sheboygan River near the waters of Lake Michigan is polluted. Polluted with a wide array of disgusting and dangerous toxins, from coliform bacteria and phosphorous to PCBs and nitrogen. It’s even been designated as an Area of Concern by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
What isn’t yet clear to experts is the most effective strategy to remediate it. That’s why the Lake Michigan Forum is hosting a free public seminar on Wednesday, April 13, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center in Sheboygan, Wisc. The event, called “Managing Biodiversity in Lake Michigan” is an opportunity for the public to join with experts from the Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to talk about what’s been done—and what’s still needed.
“Progress is being made to restore Lake Michigan and areas of concern like the Sheboygan River and harbor, but more work is needed to reach restoration goals,” said Victoria Harris, outreach specialist for University of Wisconsin Sea Grant and Lake Michigan Forum co-chair. “We invite the public to attend the evening forum, to hear about accomplishments and future plans and to share their ideas.”
Doug Pearsall, a senior conservation scientist with The Nature Conservancy, will talk about the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Lake Michigan, a document his organization will spend the next two years developing. The end result will serve as a working framework for conservationists. U.S. EPA specialists John Perrecone and Kevin O’Donell will also speak.
The Blue Harbor Resort is located at 725 Blue Harbor Drive in Sheboygan. For more information on the seminar, contact Todd Parker at 517-482-8810 or tparker@delta-institute.org.
