IJC poll suggests recreation is a top Great Lakes priority
On July 10, 2018 the IJC Great Lakes Water Quality Board released the results of its Second Binational Great Lakes Basin Poll. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper Mark Mattson presented the poll results with fellow Great Lakes Water Quality Board member, Kelsey Leonard.
The poll's findings provide insight into how people experience the Great Lakes. One key finding focused on the importance of recreational activities. Out of all surveyed participants, 89 per cent believe protecting the Great Lakes for recreation is important.
From the IJC's poll report: "Almost nine in ten or 89% feel it is important that the Great Lakes are available for recreation, a 3% increase from 2015. "
Of those polled, 35 per cent have used Great Lakes beaches or been swimming in them, and 27 per cent have used the lakes for fishing or boating of various kinds.
Experiencing your local waters strengthens your connection with them. This could be through paddling, swimming, fishing, surfing, camping or any other experience. These connections then motivate us to protect those same waters.
So how can you connect with Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes?
Discover Great Lakes activities near you by visiting the new Great Lakes Guide, here: https://greatlakes.guide.
For the Great Lakes Water Quality Board's press release on the poll, click here.
To watch the webinar recording, featuring Lake Ontario Waterkeeper Mark Mattson, click here.
For more information on the IJC Great Lakes Water Quality Board’s Second Binational Great Lakes poll, find the poll report below: