ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE, CANADIAN FRESHWATER ALLIANCE, AND FRESHWATER FUTURE CANADA

The 5th annual #WeAreLakeErie social media event draws attention to the challenges Lake Erie is currently facing

Toronto, Ont. – As Lake Erie continues to be plagued by annual and often toxic algal blooms, Ontarians and Americans are answering a rallying cry on social media to demand urgent action to protect the lake and, along with it, drinking water for millions of people and many complex ecosystems.

August 25 is the 5th #WeAreLakeErie Day on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Throughout the day, social media users will be sharing their Lake Erie stories and photos by using the hashtag #WeAreLakeErie to help create a virtual wave of support for the lake. The event is a chance to demonstrate to decision-makers the important role the lake plays in the lives of so many people. 

The event was created in 2017 by three Canadian environmental organizations: Environmental Defence Canada, Canadian Freshwater Alliance, and Freshwater Future Canada. 

EVENT DETAILS:

WHAT: The 5th annual #WeAreLakeErie Day hosted by Environmental Defence Canada, Canadian Freshwater Alliance, and Freshwater Future Canada 

WHEN: Wednesday, August 25, 2021, All day

WHERE: Online. People will participate by sharing their Lake Erie stories and photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook with the hashtag #WeAreLakeErie. Anyone who participates will be entered into a draw to win a custom “I Love My Lake” tshirt.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

ABOUT FRESHWATER FUTURE (freshwaterfuture.org): Freshwater Future works to ensure the healthy future of our waters in the Great Lakes region. We help citizens engage in efforts to protect our natural environment by providing grants and offering consulting assistance to diverse communities and collaborators.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN FRESHWATER ALLIANCE (freshwateralliance.ca): The Canadian Freshwater Alliance builds, connects and supports freshwater initiatives across Canada. We work with NGOs, community groups, governments and businesses to strengthen citizen voices and participation in protecting our lakes and rivers. We are a project on the MakeWay shared platform (makeway.org).

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Lauren Thomas, Environmental Defence Canada, lthomas@environmentaldefence.ca

Raj Gill, Canadian Freshwater Alliance, raj@freshwateralliance.ca

Kristy Meyer, Freshwater Future Canada, Kristy@FreshwaterFuture.org