Environmental management of large lakes
The location of the Great Lakes, their proximity to large forests and their abundant water resources, have encouraged the establishment of numerous industries that are predators of the natural environment: metallurgies, paper mills, chemical and automotive industries. Urban residential and tertiary activities, as well as agriculture, also contribute to the degradation and pollution of ecosystems. Aqueous and atmospheric effluents (from acid rain) are deposited in lake waters, contaminating 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 water quality in the lakes and the St. Lawrence, and have led to multi-partner action programs to reduce pollution. The results are still uneven and need to be pursued. The Premiers of Quebec and Ontario, along with the governors of the eight American states concerned, signed the Great Lakes Charter in 1985, with an appendix in 2001. The " Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement ", ratified in 2005, adds to this framework, laying the foundations for concerted 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 observation, walking, cycling and canoeing. Several national parks protect these exceptional ecosystems.
Isle Royale National Park: located on an island, this is a haven of peace that can be explored by canoe or on foot. This small natural area will delight any visitor in search of peace and quiet. 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 south of Lake Superior is a must for nature lovers. It's best explored on foot or by kayak. The western part offers magnificent, colorful cliffs, while the eastern part is characterized by dune landscapes. These environments are home to remarkable flora and fauna, including birds, black bears and wolves.
Apostle Islands National Park: this string of islands (21 in all) is a veritable paradise of caves, cliffs and forests. A migratory stopover, it is home to almost 300 species of birds. In summer, you can explore the islands on foot or by kayak.
Pukaskwa National Park, in Ontario, northwest of Lake Superior, can also be explored on foot or by canoe. Numerous 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 on the shores of Lake Superior in Canada in 2018. This is the Black Bay Protected Area, which aims to protect remarkable spaces: forests, rivers and lakeshores, habitats for threatened bird species such as olive-sided flycatchers, Le conte's sparrows, sandhill cranes and American pelicans. The flora of these environments is also fragile, as in the case of the marsh marigold orchid.
Chicago: the garden city
Chicago was conceived in a somewhat unnatural way, as its builders undertook a major project to drain the subsoil, constructing foundations more than 30 metres below Lake Michigan. What's more, the city is elevated 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. In practical terms, this means creating community gardens and urban farms, planting trees and greening rooftops. This greening initiative, which gave rise to another of the city's nicknames ( Green Roof City), was certainly the most emblematic and visible. Beyond this, the Chicago Climate Action Plan (CCAP), launched in 2008, sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, compared with 1990 levels, by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, optimizing transport and promoting renewable energies. It also aims to reduce waste and urban pollution. However, much remains to be done. While Chicago is second only to New York in terms of the number of green spaces (parks and gardens), a study by the Chicago Park District revealed that in 2011 the ratio of green spaces per inhabitant was 11m2, which is rather low, with Paris at 14.5m2. Among the 570 municipal parks, we recommend a stroll through Lincoln Park, which includes a botanical garden, Grant Park, located along Lake Michigan, or Jackson Park, for birdwatching. The city's development plans include targets for "green infrastructure" and biodiversity. However, these documents have no legal force, 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 ag" movement in the United States is more likely to benefit affluent socio-professional groups, who are more interested in healthy, balanced food. As for the city's "green" offering, many signs are green: self-service bicycles, organic stores and businesses, from grocery stores to hairdressers, all promoting short, local circuits. Visitors will be able to enjoy eco-friendly tourism to the full.
