More than 300 residents, educators, resource managers and researchers from around Lake Superior will soon converge on Duluth for "Making a Great Lake Superior 2007."
This conference is the largest in scope ever to be held about Lake Superior for such a diverse audience.
The event, which will be held Monday through Wednesday at the DECC, will focus on climate change, aquatic invasive species, water levels and lake withdrawals, fisheries and aquatic ecology, nonpoint source pollution and economic and environmental sustainability.
If you haven't signed up yet to attend, you can register in person at the conference. If attending the conference isn't on your "to-do" list, there are other events associated with "Making a Great Lake Superior" that you might want to check out. They're available on a first-come, first served basis and best of all, they're free.
The first event is kite making at the Great Lakes Aquarium, held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28.
ADVERTISEMENT
Students and staff from Northland College will show you how to make a simple kite from household materials. You'll have time to make your kite and then fly it at nearby Bayfront Park. No preregistration is required. Materials are free.
The second is a climate change forum with Will Steger, which will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Holiday Inn and Suites in the lower level Great Lakes Ballroom, 200 W. First St.Steger, a polar explorer, will host a forum on climate change impacts and solutions with Fresh Energy, a nonprofit organization. Steger will describe his firsthand accounts of the effects of
global warming on the polar region.
Joining him will be Bishop Peter Strommen, who will offer a faith reflection on global warming; Dr. Lucinda Johnson, who will discuss the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems; J. Drake Hamilton, of Fresh Energy, who will describe global warming solutions for individuals, businesses and governments and Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon, who will offer a politician's perspective.
A resource fair and music by Duluth band Biochemical Characters will also be provided.
Another event, "Lake Superior from an Artist's Perspective," will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Gooseberry Falls Room at the DECC.
Join photographer Craig Blacklock on a photographic journey celebrating the natural landscape of Minnesota's North Shore. Blacklock will show images and movie segments from his new book, and discuss the Minnesota Land Trust's Lake Superior Protection Initiative as a means of handling development pressures. Kris Larson from the land trust will be on hand to discuss the new
initiative.
ADVERTISEMENT
From Monday through Wednesday, the Making a Great Lake Superior will also showcase art and movies featuring the lake at the DECC's Split Rock Room. (Visit Sea Grant's Web site, www.seagrant.umn.edu for movie times.)
Finally, a discussion on sustainable communities will be held from 8:40 to 10:40 a.m. Wednesday at the DECC's Lake Superior Ballroom.
Three mayors and a tribal official from around the lake will discuss successes and challenges in their efforts to protect Lake Superior.
