Lake Erie Alive is a growing grassroots campaign supported by Freshwater Future Canada, Freshwater Future, and Environmental Defence along with a growing list of bi-national partners. The yearly #WeAreLakeErie initiative unites the community through social media, fostering a powerful movement to cherish and preserve Lake Erie.

Lake Erie is essential to the physical, economic and spiritual health of the central Great Lakes region.  The goal of Lake Erie Alive is to unite communities as they work together to protect and restore this treasured waterbody.  Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are one of the most serious threats to Lake Erie.  HABs are caused by blue-green algae (cyanobacteria).  Naturally occurring in most waterbodies, blue-green algae become harmful when it multiplies rapidly and forms algal blooms.  Storm runoff for agriculture and urban areas contains high levels of nutrients, especially phosphorus, that feed blue-green algae.  Excess nutrients combined with warm waters leads to explosive growth of blue-green algae into HABs.  HABs can suffocate fish and make water unsafe for drinking and swimming.  These blooms are threatening local fisheries, tourism and drinking water sources all around the lake.

However, there are solutions.  Fifty years ago, Lake Erie was declared dead because excessive nutrients and other pollution was leading to extensive algal blooms and fish death.  Coordinated action by federal, state, and provincial governments and local communities addressed these threats and Lake Erie was again a lake that we could drink, swim and fish.  This type of coordinated effort is required again.  We must work together to protect Lake Erie from increasing nutrient loads and climate change.

Show Your Lake Erie Love on Social Media with #WeAreLakeErie