GLIN==> OHIO'S COASTWEEKS KICKS OFF AUGUST 23, 2OO3

[Jill Woodyard <jill_woodyard@ameritech.net>]

Ohio Lake Erie Commission
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2003
OHIO TO CELEBRATE COASTWEEKS AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 21
More than 40 events will recognize Lake Erie as Ohio's great natural 
resource

COLUMBUS, OH - This year's Coastweeks celebration 2003 is set for August 23 
to September 21 in dozens of communities along the Lake Erie shoreline, 
highlighting Lake Erie as Ohio's great natural resource.
This year, more than 40 events are scheduled in coastal communities from 
Toledo to Ashtabula. Each will provide an opportunity to explore and 
appreciate Lake Erie through enjoyable educational, environmental and 
recreational activities.
These activities include beach parties, sandcastle-building contests, 
interpretive hikes and canoe floats, beach cleanups, birding adventures, 
tours, open houses and more. The beachfront cleanups that are a major 
feature of Coastweeks are part of an international volunteer effort, 
sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy, to keep coastlines clean around the 
world.
The Sandusky River Clean Sweep is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 
23, at Junior Homes Park in Tiffin. Volunteers will receive t-shirts, 
gloves, trash bags, goody bags and lunch tickets for a day of debris 
removal along the Sandusky River. Call 419-443-7922 to pre-register.
Additional kickoff events are scheduled for Mentor Marsh, Headlands Dunes 
and Kelleys Island this weekend. An exploration of the woods and waterways 
of Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, 
August 23, at 8365 Harbor Drive in Mentor. Call 440-974-5720 to 
pre-register.
Preserve manager Charlotte McCurdy will lead a hike at Headlands Dunes 
State Nature Preserve in Lake County, beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 
24. Hikers should meet at the east side of Headlands Beach State Park for a 
tour of the North Coast sand dunes and their rare vegetation. Call 
440-974-5720 to pre-register.
The Glacial Grooves of Kelleys Island State Park will be the focus of 
"Glacial Glimpses" at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 24. Hikers will learn how 
prehistoric glaciers helped form today's Great Lakes. Call 419-746-2258 for 
information.
Ohio Coastweeks 2003 activities are coordinated by the Ohio Lake Erie 
Commission. The commission was established for the purpose of preserving 
Lake Erie's natural resources, protecting the quality of its waters and 
ecosystem, and promoting economic development of the region. It is made up 
of the directors of Ohio's departments of natural resources, environmental 
protection, transportation, development, health and agriculture.
Check the Ohio Lake Erie Commission web site at www.epa.state.oh.us/oleo 
for the most up-to-date Coastweeks 2003 event information; or call 
419-245-2514.
	###
Contact:
Jill Woodyard, Ohio Lake Erie Commission
(419) 245-2514
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860



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