Become a Coastal Steward
What is a steward? Environmental stewardship is a growing effort where businesses, industries and individuals voluntarily choose to participate in activities.
Take the pledge below to become a Michigan Coastal Steward. Just five minutes of your time to complete the following form will provide you with useful tips and links about how to protect and you will be entered to win a free full color poster.
Coastal Stewardship Pledge
I pledge to protect Michigan’s coastal areas and Great Lakes by taking the following actions:
- Properly dispose of oil, gas, chemicals, electronic equipment and unused medicines
Tip: Unused medicines should be wrapped and placed in the trash – NOT flushed.
- Shut off water while brushing teeth, take shorter showers and consider low flow bathroom fixtures.
Tip: The Energystar website provides great information on appliances that reduce water use.
- Learn more about how fish, plants, water and animals are connected.
Tip: See the Food Web Fact sheet and the Sea Grant library. Also, see Coastal Birds
Note: add the FLOW Food web fact sheet to the library
- Protect habitat for fish, birds and plants by following best practices for shoreline management.
Tip: Replacing hard sea walls with “softer” materials, can enhance the value of your property see: Details
- Encourage leaders to incorporate lesson content about the Great Lakes into classrooms
Tip: Point a teacher to Fisheries Learning on the Web, free lessons aligned to content expectations.
- Reduce the spread of invasive species by properly cleaning your boat.
Tip: Review the How You Can Help section about invasive species
Participate in local stream, river and lake clean-up activities in your community.
Tip: Protect drinking water supplies by not dumping chemicals or debris in storm water drains.
- Learn more about the five Great Lakes, channels, straits and locks.
Tip: Use the acronym HOMES to remember the names of the lakes -- Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior.
- Hard surfaces -- impervious to water -- allow sediment and chemicals to enter the Great Lakes through runoff.
Tip: Use a broom, not a hose to sweep driveways and walkways.
- Plants absorb carbon dioxide, help prevent soil erosion and provide wildlife habitat.
Tip: Preserve and plant native trees, bushes and perennial plants.
- Reduce, reuse and recycle plastics, paper, metal, cardboard and any other materials possible.
Tip: Reuse stores with “gently used” goods are a great source for cottage furniture.
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