[edit] Communications challenges for Michigan's AOCs

Four panelists from diverse backgrounds addressed how their respective fields of study and occupation work to communicate Great Lakes issues. Sometimes, as the panelists said, they must work interdependently to ensure the public, as well as themselves, are as informed as possible. Take a look at their four different perspectives and read and watch video of how these panelists suggest delisting AOCs.

• Dave Poulson from Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism offered a Media Perspective.
  
• Al Steinman from the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University offered a Scientific Perspective.
  
• Frank Ruswick of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality offered a Policymaker's Perspective.

• Sen. Jerry Van Woerkom,R-Mich., offered a Legislator's Perspective.
  

[edit] "Healthy Waters, Strong Economy"

The Benefits of Restoring the Great Lakes Ecosystem; Soren Anderson, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Michigan, Department of Economics
Anderson's said that a significant message to communicate is that restoring the Great Lakes has huge economic benefits. Those benefits are even greater for the Areas of Concern, and people need to understand the even larger returns generated from investment in cleanup. His presentation was based on a study by the Brookings Institution. He is co-author of "Healthy Waters, Strong Economy," a report based on Brookings Institution research and the GLRC Strategy.

[edit] "Messaging" Great Lakes Restoration Healing Our Waters campaign ad Jordan Lubetkin, communications director of the National Wildlife Federation, discussed marketing and advertising for engaging the public on water policy reform. "We are not looking to educate people, but to inspire them," he said. Lubetkin discussed the trials of a marketing firm determining a target audience for Great Lakes issues. And he explained the Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives campaign by the Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition that seeks to restore Great Lakes water quality by building public support necessary to motivate legislators. See video and highlights from Lubetkin's presentation at "Messaging" Great Lakes Restoration.

[edit] The status of Michigan's Great Lakes Areas of Concern

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality representative Rick Hobrla offered a perspective on what the DEQ is doing to delist AOCs. The DEQ is commonly a middleman between the public and legislators in effecting change to AOCs - heeding calls from local support groups while encouraging congressmen.
Two representatives from local Areas of Concern White Lake and Muskegon Lake spoke about their experiences working in community activism.