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Michigan is home to a plethora of natural resources, including one that is known around the world; WATER. Did you know that YOU are never more than 6 miles away from a water source in Michigan; a river, lake or one of the Great Lakes? We also have more than 11,000 INLAND LAKES. Can you even fathom that?
If you’re like me, you grew up on the lake, in the lake and enjoying the lake in any manner you could; swimming, boating, tubing, skiing, fishing and kayaking to name a few. I was also taught from a very young age that the water was important and to NEVER pollute it. This meant picking up trash along the shoreline, fishing a plastic baggy out of the river and always putting my trash in the right place (ie. not the water).
As I have grown into an adult, one thing I have noticed is that the lakes and rivers are beginning to change. While many are seeing more use, recreationally or due to increased construction, they are also experiencing new invasive species and man-made pollutants. Once they have gained access to our waters, it has become increasingly difficult to rid or clean them up. These “uninvited” culprits are quickly changing the eco-system for the wildlife that depend on the water and also the quality and clarity of the water for humans.
So, what can I do? Well, there are many groups that work hard to promote the quality and character of fresh water and one I’m personally involved with is ESLA (Elk Skegemog Lake Association) . This non-profit serves to;
” dedicated to preserving and protecting the quality of the precious waters we love. We’re talking about those fishy, deep (Elk), shallow (Skegemog) lakes and connecting waters with their spectacular sunrises and sunsets that brought and keep us here.
The group welcomes new members and donors and has great resources for anyone wanting to brush up on their water knowledge. Together, WE CAN make effective progress and protect the water we so dearly love. 
