You Can Become Eriesponsible!

Published: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
By: Norm Schultz

Don’t be irresponsible—become Eriesponsible! The name says it all. Eriesponsible is actually a notable initiative by Ohio boaters to tackle environmental problems in Lake Erie using a variety of means to get their message out. It deserves widespread support.

I had the opportunity to spend some time in January with the group’s director, Joshua Dykstra. He explained: “Eriesponsible is an organization started by a diverse group of individuals who share a love for Lake Erie and the bounties it provides, while also sharing a concern for its future health if the current situation goes unchecked.”

Members are looking to not only do their part but to make a cultural change when it comes to prevention, collection, and awareness of marine debris and invasive species in Lake Erie and our other freshwater lakes and tributaries. “Taking steps now to maintain the health of Lake Erie for future generations is our mission and mantra,” explained Dykstra.

The group operates a three-tiered program consisting of Education, Awareness, and Action. “We’ve found there are more than enough educational materials available, for example, from experts at NOAA, Sea Grant, and others,” Dykstra noted. ”So, we’re not about reinventing the wheel. Rather, we serve as an expeditor, making sure appropriate supplies are available in local outlets like schools, marinas, clubs, and the like.”

Tier two is Awareness. Eriesponsible members are out taking advantage of every opportunity to spread their message. A mainstay is the use of social media, the website, and title products in a merchandise section that includes clothing, hats, bracelets, stickers, and clean up devices. But the greatest emphasis is placed on face-to-face interaction.

Eriesponsible members go out speaking to children in schools; crowds at local Aquarium events; boaters in marinas and club meetings; junior sailing regattas; among others. Last year, it’s estimated the members made presentations to over 15,000 people, including a presentation in Detroit at the Sustainable Brands Conference. The group has also won the Mini Challenge Award for Reducing or Reusing Plastic Waste, sponsored by Sea Grant at the Ohio State University.

In addition, Erieresponsible has reached thousands more by manning exhibits at special events like: 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River Burning Celebration in Cleveland; at Cleveland Aquarium special events; at the Cleveland Boat Show; and from media coverage of multiple beach cleanup events; to note some.

The third tier, Action, consists of physical cleanups of the debris that plagues the lake. “We are truly a hands-on organization,” says Dykstra, “and we participate in the direct removal of trash. We clean up beaches, marinas, riverbanks, and any other areas we or our partners and volunteers have red-flagged as areas needing attention.”

And ‘Action’ isn’t only about the action of the members holding trash cleanups, it’s also about the indirect action of many others doing the same because of the attention drawn to it by Erieresponsible.

“We and our Eriesponsible partners spend time on the open waters and in harbors and tributaries cleaning and doing debris removal, too,” says Dykstra, “and this coming season we are expanding into an underwater cleanup effort. We’re organizing volunteer SCUBA events to give the lake bottom the attention it deserves while having a long-term goal of autonomous robotic development that can accomplish microplastic removal.”

For more information about marine debris control or to find out what you can do to get involved on Lake Erie or across our freshwaters, visit www.eriesponsible.org today.