Put-in-Bay, Ohio Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Lab and education partners across South Bass Island will host Lake Erie Awareness Day on August 11 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Aquatic Visitors Center, the Boardwalk Restaurant, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, Cooper’s Woods Preserve, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center and South Bass Island State Park.

This free family-friendly event will highlight the cultural and historic significance of the islands, address pressing environmental issues such as aquatic invasive species and plastic pollution, draw attention to land conservation efforts, showcase island wildlife, and create more awareness of aquaculture and safe and clean boating programs. Participants will receive a prize after completing activities at each station, with one grand prize up for grabs to a lucky winner who visits all six stations.

“Paddling, fishing, birding – Lake Erie provides a great spot for outdoor recreation and a place for wildlife to thrive,” said Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz. “We take pride in the great strides being made to protect this amazing body of water, one of Ohio’s greatest and most important resources. I encourage people to come to this event and learn about those efforts and to find out how they can contribute to the health of Lake Erie.”

Island residents, families, and visitors are encouraged to attend. More information about the event, including station locations, is available at go.osu.edu/LakeErieAwarenessDay.

“Lake Erie is one of Ohio’s greatest treasures. We hope Lake Erie Awareness Day can highlight the beauty of our lake and encourage people to be environmental stewards, ensuring protection and sustainable use for generations to come,” said Jill Bartolotta, Extension educator for Ohio Sea Grant. “We are very excited to offer this education event for island residents and visitors.”

The event is hosted by a partnership between Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Laboratory, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Lake Erie Foundation, the Great Lakes Island Alliance, the National Park Service, the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, Eriesponsible, the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, and the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce. Funding support comes from the Center for Great Lakes Literacy and The Ohio State University.

The Ohio Sea Grant College Program is part of The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. For more information, visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu.