A recent post on charter fishing boats in Lake Erie lead to a discussion about how to stop invasive species from the entering Great Lakes Ecosystems. (Click here to read) One commenter on last week’s article suggested a solution they felt would be quite easy: close the Welland Canal. But that begged for several other questions. What about Lake Ontario? What about the spread of aquatic invasive species through recreational boat users? Live bait fishermen? The construction of the Welland Canal connected Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior to Lake Ontario when its present version was completed in 1932. This…
Author: Great Lakes United
(This is the second of a two part interview with Captain Tom Marks, a charter fishing boat captain and member of the Great Lakes United coalition. To see the first part of the interview, click here.) Tom Marks has talked to thousands of people over the years about the real threats of aquatic invasive species. In addition to being a charter boat captain, Tom has been a part of more than half a dozen fishing and advocacy groups. All of the different positions he has held has allowed Tom the opportunity to talk to many groups and clubs as well…
(This is a follow up post on the Great Lakes Compact, an agreement to stop large –scale, out of basin water diversions from the Great Lakes. Great Lakes United did several posts on the Compact in January. To see those posts, click here, and here.) The eight Great Lakes states have sent a unified message to the rest of the country: our water is staying here. Along with our Canadian Great Lakes neighbors, Ontario and Quebec, the Great Lakes region has finally taken official steps to stop out of basin water diversions. This week, the last state, Michigan, has passed…
(This post highlights a member of the Great Lakes United coalition who lives in our Buffalo community. Throughout the summer, Great Lakes United’s Nate Drag will talk and visit a variety of environmentalists to discuss their lives, their groups and our lakes.) There is an old fishing saying that while Ponce de Leon was looking for the Fountain of Youth, he had the chance for eternal life the entire time he was on the boat. All he had to do was to use a pole to catch a fish. I spent a beautiful summer afternoon recently aboard a fishing vessel…
In a letter sent to David Ogrean, the Executive Director of USA Hockey, Inc., Senator Clinton enthusiastically supported our fair Buffalo as a potential candidate for hosting the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Under-20 World Championships. Senator Clinton highlighted Buffalo’s charm with shout-outs to Shea’s, the Zoo, nightlife, the Albright-Knox, Niagara Falls, and many more. Adding to Buffalo’s credentials, Senator Clinton did not fail to mention the great success the city has had in hosting other large-scale events. Events such as the recent Winter Classic, along with the NCAA basketball tournament, New York’s Empire State Games, The World University…
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is now accepting applications for their docent training class beginning this coming September. Applicants are not required to have a background in art history or art. However, applicants will be required to be enthusiastic about art, have a passion for sharing and gaining knowledge, along with a two year commitment after the training is completed. Training begins in September 2008 and will be every Thursday night from 6PM until 9PM. Classes will cover everything needed to succeed in the docent world at the Knox, including thorough coverage of the Permanent Collection and the necessary communicative skills…
B West Studio at 148 Elmwood kicked off the Allentown Art Festival weekend by opening its doors to show off their new exhibit. Benefiting Crisis Services the show will be running through June 29. After placing a call for artists earlier this spring, this show features 25 local artists who answered that call. Up to nine of the artists have never been showcased in a gallery before now. With so many diverse artists, it’s amazing that they managed to get a piece from every artist into the front room. That very room offers the perfect front window for showcasing an…
(Captain Wayne Jurs is the captain of the Earth Voyager, the fastest sailing vessel in the Great Lakes, which is docked in the Commercial Slip of the Inner Harbor all weekend. Buffalo is the first stop of the vessel on the “Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives Tour”. For recent posts on the boat and tour, click here.) “The Great Lakes are our treasure chest”. Some of the first words from my conversation with Captain Wayne Jurs sum the opinion of so many people in our region. Captain Wayne and the rest of the crew on the Earth Voyager arrived in Buffalo…
This Expo is one of many events occurring with arrival of the Earth Voyager, the fastest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes. To see a post about the vessel’s tour click here. To see a complete listing of events, click here. This Saturday you will have the chance to see the fastest sailing vessel in the Great Lakes up close and personal. The Earth Voyager, a trimaran over 60 feet long and over 100 feet to the top of the sails will definitely be a site to see in the new Commercial Slip in the Inner Harbor. The purpose of…
(This posting is a list of events occurring with arrival of the Earth Voyager. To see a post about the Voyager and the Tour, click here) For the first weekend in June, the discussion about Buffalo’s waterfront will have a different tone. In concurrence with the arrival of the Earth Voyager, the fastest sailing vessel on the Great Lakes, a coalition of organizations will be working to raise awareness of the need for serious and immediate restoration of the Great Lakes’ ecosystems. Event organizers have volunteered hundreds of hours to bring the Earth Voyager to Buffalo, and organize the schedule…