Environmental management of large lakes
The location of the Great Lakes, their proximity to large forests, and their abundant water resources have favored the establishment of numerous industries that predate on the natural environment: metallurgy, paper mills, chemical and automobile industries. Urban residential and tertiary activities, as well as agriculture, also contribute to the degradation and pollution of ecosystems. In concrete terms, aqueous and atmospheric effluents (from acid rain) are deposited in lake waters and contribute to the contamination of the entire food chain: heavy metals, including mercury, microplastics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen, cyanobacteria, persistent organic pollutants, etc. A cocktail of different pollutants was found in a sample of beluga whale blubber from the St. Lawrence Estuary. Since 1978, agreements between Canada and the United States have been aimed at improving the water quality of the lakes and the St. Lawrence and have resulted in multi-partner action programs to reduce pollution. The results are still uneven and need to be pursued. The Premiers of Quebec and Ontario, as well as the Governors of the eight U.S. states concerned, signed the Great Lakes Charter in 1985, with an annex in 2001. The " Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement ", ratified in 2005, adds to this framework to lay the foundation for cooperative management between the two countries.
In addition to the Great Lakes, the national parks
The Great Lakes are also a mosaic of remarkable landscapes, expanses that lend themselves to contemplation and naturalist observations, walking, biking, or canoeing activities. Several national parks protect these exceptional ecosystems
Isle Royale National Park : located on an island, it is a true haven of peace, which can be discovered by canoe or on foot. This small natural area will delight any visitor in search of tranquility. It is also home to wolf and moose populations, which are being studied as part of a scientific program.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore: This protected area located south of Lake Superior is a must-see for all nature lovers. It is best explored on foot or by kayak. The western part offers magnificent colored cliffs, while the eastern part is characterized by dune landscapes. These environments are home to remarkable flora and fauna, including birds, but also black bears and wolves.
The Apostle Islands National Park: this string of islands (21 in total) is a true paradise of caves, cliffs and forests. A migration stopover, nearly 300 species of birds find refuge there. It is possible to explore the islands on foot or by kayak during the summer months.
Pukaskwa National Park, located in Ontario, northwest of Lake Superior, can also be discovered on foot or by canoe. Many trails allow you to discover its ecosystems: lakeshores, forests. For the more adventurous, we recommend the White River Suspension Bridge Trail.
A new protected area was created in Canada, on the shores of Lake Superior in 2018. This is the Black Bay Protected Area, which aims to protect remarkable spaces: forests, rivers and lake shores, habitats of threatened bird species, such as olive-sided flycatchers, Le conte's sparrows, sandhill cranes or American pelicans. The flora of these environments is also fragile, such as the orchid called marsh malaxis.
Chicago: the garden city
Chicago was conceived a little unnaturally, since its builders engaged in an entire construction site to drain its subsoil and built foundations more than 30 meters below Lake Michigan. Moreover, the city is elevated, in order to avoid the nuisance of overflowing water. Since the 2000s, the city has been working with nature to become a model green city. Its motto " urbs in horto " means the city in a garden. Concretely, the city has turned to the creation of community gardens (shared gardens) and urban farms, the planting of trees and the greening of its roofs. This greening action, which gave rise to another nickname for the city ( Green roof city), was certainly the most emblematic and visible. Beyond that, the Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP), launched in 2008, sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, compared to 1990 levels, by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, optimizing transportation and using renewable energy. It also aims to reduce waste and urban pollution. However, many efforts still need to be made. Although Chicago is the second city in the country after New York for the number of its green spaces (parks and gardens), a study conducted by the Chicago Park District revealed that in 2011 the ratio of green spaces per capita was 11m2, which is rather low, as Paris is at 14.5m2. Among the 570 city parks, we recommend a walk in Lincoln Park, which includes a botanical garden, but also in Grant Park, located along Lake Michigan, or in Jackson Park, for bird watching. The city's development plans include goals for "green infrastructure" and biodiversity. However, these documents have no legal value, as they are not enforceable against third parties. Another point is that not everyone benefits from community gardens, even if some are located in poor neighborhoods. Studies show that the urban agriculture movement or "urban ag" in the United States benefits more the wealthy socio-professional categories, concerned with healthy and balanced food. As far as the city's "green" offer is concerned, many signals are green: self-service bicycles, organic stores and businesses, from grocery stores to hairdressers, which favor short and local circuits. The visitor will be able to fully practice an "eco-friendly" tourism.
