GLIN==> Release: The Race to Save the Lakes to Arrive in Duluth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release

July 28, 2010

 

Great Lakes United *** Shedd Aquarium

 

The Race to Save the Lakes to Arrive in Duluth

As Tall Ships sail into town, threats to the Great Lakes such as the Asian
carp take centre stage

 

As a fleet of tall ships prepare to arrive at the Tall Ships Duluth
festival, Great Lakes United and Shedd Aquarium are gearing up to talk to
the public about critical issues facing the lakes like water use, and the
serious threat of the Asian carp. 

 

"The recent discovery of a live Asian carp within 6 miles of Lake Michigan
means we need immediate action from the federal government," said Derek
Stack, Executive Director of Great Lakes United. "In Duluth, we'll be urging
citizens to speak out to President Obama and demand that he address this
crisis immediately."

 

As part of Great Lakes United's exhibit, two mounted Asian carp will be on
display, as well as other samples of invasive species. Great Lakes United
will be encouraging citizens to sign postcards to President Obama demanding
that he pursue the physical separation of the Great Lakes basin from the
Mississippi basin, as it is the entry point the carp will use to invade the
Great Lakes. This citizen action will tell the government that, like the 5
states that recently sued over the Asian carp, the people of the Great Lakes
refuse to let this invasive fish deplete these waters. 

 

Duluth is the fourth stop in the Great Lakes United TALL SHIPS CHALLENGER
2010, a port-to-port race sailing across the world's largest source of fresh
surface water.  As the vessels race from port to port, they are carrying a
message of water conservation and preservation to the millions of people who
will travel to see the tall ships. 

 

"The Great Lakes are amazing bodies of water that deserve to be celebrated
and protected," said Melanie Napoleon, director of Great Lakes conservation
at Shedd Aquarium.  "Each person who visits the festival will learn
something new about the largest freshwater sailing vessels, the majestic
Great Lakes and what they can do at home to make a difference."

 

One of the highlights of the festival will be the Great Lakes United Green
Village. The Green Village brings together a host of environmental and
conservation groups, green businesses, and others, to showcase the
importance of water to our way of being, and how people can make choices
that offer a lighter footprint on our natural world and resources. From
interactive displays to presentations, the village focuses on sparking the
imagination and showing people how they can help ensure a healthy Great
Lakes ecosystem.

 

The fleet of visiting ships will be open for dockside deck tours daily,
starting July 30th and running through August 1st. Boarding Passes must be
purchased to gain access to the festival and to the ship decks. For more
information about the festival and purchasing tickets, please visit
http://www.visitduluth.com/tall-ships/.

More information on the Tall Ships festivals can be obtained at
www.glu.org/tallships. 

Contacts:

 

Brent Gibson

Great Lakes United

613-867-9861

bgibson at glu.org

 

Elizabeth Latenser

Shedd Aquarium

312-692-3364

elatenser at sheddaquarium.org

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________________________
Lauren Cheal
Communications Assistant
Great Lakes United
613-482-1324 (ext 507)

 <mailto:lcheal at glu.org> lcheal at glu.org |  <http://www.glu.org/> www.glu.org

 

 

Join our mailing list:  <http://www.glu.org/en/mailinglist>
www.glu.org/en/mailinglist   

Racing to protect the Great Lakes:  <http://www.glu.org/en/tallships>
www.glu.org/en/tallships  
 

Represented by UAW Local 55

 

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