Great Lakes

Rainfall Means Higher Lake Levels

Above average precipitation this year has resulted in higher lake levels in the Great Lakes region.  But just two years ago the Great Lakes were just three inches short of an all time low set in 1964.  Learn more about this by watching our interview on Fox TV.

When talking about lake levels it's important to recognize that the lakes are not a limitless resource.  We have 20 percent of the world's freshwater in our region but need to protect it in order to sustain the resource well into our future.  Water conservation is still very important no matter if the lakes are at an all time high or an all time low. 

--Posted by Kurt, fishes

World Ocean's Day

Last year, the United Nations designated June 8 World Ocean’s Day, creating an annual opportunity to raise global awareness of the challenges facing our oceans today and to instill a sense of duty in all of us to care for the world’s water.  Appropriately, the theme of World Ocean’s Day this year is “our oceans, our responsibility,” calling on residents living in the Midwest, Southwest, Great Lakes region or anywhere around the world. 

Shedd Aquarium’s Great Lakes conservation team generally finds more than 650 pounds of garbage and recycling plus an additional 2,100 cigarette butts in a summer season on the beaches of Lake Michigan.  According to the Ocean Conservancy, volunteers around the world collected 11,077 diapers in the Philippines, more than 19,504 fishing nets in the United Kingdom and more than 1.4 million cigarette butts in the United States during the 2008 International Coastal Clean Up.  Near and far these statistics tell us it is time to take action for a cleaner tomorrow.

Whether you live near Lake Michigan or a prairie in Kansas, please properly dispose of wrappers, cigarette butts, bottles and any debris that can blow into our waterways.  Your small actions have large consequences; make them positive.

Posted by Cheryl Mell, Conservation

Lake Levels Rising

In the past couple months water levels in Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes have been rising.  The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration website charts lake levels and records that information daily.

It is great for our ecosystem that water levels are rising but we must put this information in context.  Lake levels fluctuate two or three feet naturally over the course of 20 years.  Weather patterns and natural cycles of the earth contribute to this change.  Though the lake levels are rising right now we still need to be aware of the stresses that climate change may play on our water supply in the future.  We still need to make smart water choices in our homes even though it looks like we are awash in water right now.

--Posted by Kurt, fishes

Native Gardening Tips

Planting season has begun! If you are planning your garden this year here are four good water conservation tips to keep in mind:

• Conserve water – a healthy lawn only needs one to two inches of water per week.

• Minimize evaporation by watering your lawn or garden during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.

• Disconnect your downspout and direct it toward landscaped areas.  Or try catching rain in a rain barrel or cistern for later use.

• Consider a porous design for your garden path.  This allows water to reach the underlying soil and replenish groundwater.

Christine, horticulture 

Exclusive preview!

Come see the 2009 Chicago Flower & Garden Show before it opens!

Enjoy a festive evening of delicious food, cocktails and the exclusive opportunity to experience the 2009 Chicago Flower & Garden Show before it opens to the public!

"Evening in Bloom" -- a preview benefit, will raise funds for some of Chicago's best known cultural and greening organizations -- Friday evening, March 6, amongst the gardens in Navy Pier's Festival Halls A & B from 6:00-9:30 p.m.  Tickets are $100.

Be sure to visit WaterShedd, designed by Shedd Aquarium horticultural manager Christine Nye, in collaboration with Roy Diblik, co-owner of Northwind Perennial Farm.  WaterShedd illustrates effective and pleasing ways to compose a xeriscape garden -- an environment that requires no or minimal irrigation -- using native and non-native plant species.  For additional information or to purchase tickets click here  http://www.chicagoflower.com/party.cfm.

Protect your pastime

At Shedd, we have a special relationship with the creatures inhabiting the Earth’s waters. Even the smallest amount of mercury can be deadly to fish – and anything that eats them. In 1996, we took a first step in eliminating mercury through a lighting retrofit. By changing the kind of fluorescent tube lights that we use, we eliminated more than 61 grams of mercury, or the equivalent of 87 thermometers’ worth of the toxic substance, building-wide. The current tubes that we use, although ecofriendly, still contain trace amounts of mercury, so we dispose of burned-out lights through a company that recycles them within our specifications. Since 2002, we’ve prevented a further 11 thermometers’ worth of mercury from contaminating a landfill or as much as 16 acres of water.

I grew up in a small town and used to walk to a pond to go fishing. I just caught little sunfish and bluegills, but for a kid, it was a thrill. Wouldn’t it be a shame if kids today were deprived of this childhood ritual because the water or the aquatic life in their local pond was contaminated? By recycling these fluorescent tubes – and getting others around me to participate as well – I feel that I’m looking out for the future of our environment and for the future of those kids, wherever they may go fishing!

-- Posted by Susan, facilities

Great Lakes on the big screen

"If you could take everyone on this continent on an expedition from one end of the Great Lakes to the other, you would change the way that they look at these natural treasures."

That was the thought behind Canadian film producer David Lickley's movie Mysteries of the Great Lakes playing now at Imax and Omnimax theaters around the basin.  I recently saw this movie at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and absolutely loved it.  It was incredible to see footage of ship wrecks, caribou in the wild and the beautiful bluffs of Lake Superior.  Watching this movie made me proud to live in the Great Lakes region.  I give the film two thumbs up!

For teachers, the film has an educator's guide to use after your students see the movie.  Check it out!

--Posted by Elizabeth, conservation

My Quick Energy Fix

I noticed that I was wasting lots of energy by allowing my electronics to go into "sleep mode" when I didn't need them so the easiest thing I did to green my home was purchase three surge protectors for all of my electronics.  Every item that requires an outlet is hooked up to a surge protector so that I can turn everything off when not in use.   

My motivation was sparked by global warming and my desire to slow our dependence on fossil fuels but a lower energy bill has been a nice side benefit!

Posted by Nicole, conservation

Zero to Sixty...

...eventually. 

One simple thing I will do this year is drive slower.  I will be easier on the gas pedal when the traffic light turns and obey the speed limits on the highway.  This simple action will reduce the carbon emissions I create and allow me to stay away from the gas station longer.  I encourage everyone to give it a shot!

Posted by Sandy, conservation 

Seeing Green

At Shedd Aquarium we are always looking for ways to make our actions more sustainable for the good of the environment.  Often, the actions are simple and easy to adopt. 

Do you want to learn more about what our conservation department members are doing to be a little more earth friendly?  Keep reading!

To kick us off, I will share my simple change.  This year, I will make a concerted effort to carefully read labels and pay more attention to the ingredients in my products.  I will consciously buy products that work to positively impact the environment.  This means I have been looking for packaging that can be recycled, organic ingredients, small water footprint, small carbon footprint and other innovative eco-friendly elements.   I was inspired to make this small change after learning about the cradle to cradle certification.  Check it out!

Posted by Elizabeth, conservation