More than 20 percent of the world’s freshwater surrounds Michigan — it’s a fact we often take for granted as Michiganders. Our Great Lakes provide us with numerous recreational activities, habitat for the fish that sustain our multi-billion dollar sportfishing industry and scenic views that can be found nowhere else in the world.

With the threat of Asian carp knocking on our door, there is no better time than now to shed light on the wonderful resource that surrounds us and what could happen if our Great Lakes suddenly became not so great.

It is our pleasure at Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the largest state-specific conservation organization in the nation, to invite you to Great Lakes Day at the Capitol at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19 in Lansing.

Great Lakes Day at the Capitol is a day to connect our membership and the public with the policy work that we do. Since 1937, MUCC has worked to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.

MUCC is pleased to host such a relevant and crucial event, said Nick Green, MUCC public information officer.

“In the history of our Great Lakes, we have never had a threat like the Asian carp and the devastation it could cause,” Green said. “Our job at MUCC and as conservationists is to protect and enhance our state’s greatest resource so that our children can enjoy the Great Lakes as we have.”

More than 20 legislators will be in attendance at the event. The Department of Natural Resources and Natural Resources Commission have also been invited. During the event, there will be 15-minute blocks setup for attendees to meet with their representatives and talk about Great Lakes issues.

The day’s schedule is as follows:

  • 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.– Registration and Orientation (Senate Committee Rooms 402 & 403)
  • 11:15 a.m. – Noon– Rally on the East Lawn (Front Steps) of the Capitol
  • Noon – 2:00 p.m.– Networking Lunch (Capitol Building, 1st Floor, North and West Wings)

Topics of conversation include: Asian carp, grass carp, the Brandon Road Draft, Lake Erie algal blooms, aquaculture and the Great Lakes funding initiatives, among others.

For more information, contact Nick Green at ngreen@mucc.org or MUCC Policy Assistant and event coordinator Ashley Bur at abur@mucc.org.