A social media movement is looking to raise awareness on the concerns around Lake Erie and the importance it holds as a Great Lake.
Ashley Wallis, water program manager with Environmental Defence, says they're hoping to get people active on social media, using the hashtag "#WeAreLakeErie" on August 28.
Wallis says they would like to see people share why they think Lake Erie is worth protecting and then share it on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram.
"We're hoping to draw some awareness, just to the awesomeness of Lake Erie in an effort to get the government to move [towards] helping the lake," she says.
Algal blooms in Lake Erie have posed as a major problem and groups are in the process of creating action plans to tackle the issue.
"We're hoping that through this campaign, not only will the public be more aware of the issues that are impacting Lake Erie but the government will recognize that Lake Erie is something that the community really relies on," says Wallis. "[The government] will feel motivated to make sure that the final action plan is strong and ensures a healthy lake in the future."
Wallis say an added incentive is that anyone who uses the hashtag to comment on Lake Erie, will be entered into a draw to win a t-shirt that says "I Love My Lake."
The social media event is being encouraged by the Environmental Defence (@envirodefence), Freshwater Future (@freshwaterfuture), and the Canadian Freshwater Alliance (@freshwateralliance).