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DNR: Aquatic invasive species decal law changes
Alexandria Echo Press (5/16)
A slate of new laws designed to curb the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) was approved in a recent bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature and signed by Governor Mark Dayton.
Lake St. Clair fest teaches students importance of preserving natural resources
The Detroit News (5/16)
About 1,600 Macomb County fourth- and fifth-grade students gathered Tuesday at Macomb Community College to explore concepts of water conservation, preservation and safety at the fifth annual Lake St. Clair Water Festival.
Learn about your environment: Research buoy back in Erie
Erie Time-News (5/15)
Four new buoys will help scientists at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab in Ann Arbor, Mich., model current patterns in Lake Erie as they also help students learn more about lake processes.
Students ready to set sail aboard Erie's Niagara
Erie Time-News (5/6)
After three weeks of training and tutoring aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, a majority of people who participate in the Niagara's public-voyage program leave as functional members of the crew.
COMMENTARY: Snake bites part of work
The Toledo Blade (5/6)
Kristin Stanford was recently honored with the 2012 Wildlife Diversity Conservation Award by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for her work in restoring the endangered Lake Erie water snake.
NYPA awards two grants for St. Lawrence River studies
Watertown Daily Times (5/2)
Two projects that will contribute to the greater understanding of the St. Lawrence River ecosystem were awarded funding earlier this year from the St. Lawrence River Research and Education Fund (SLRREF), established by the New York Power Authority (NYPA).
What's going on in your neighborhood this month? Meet other people and learn together at recreational and educational events! Our new dynamic calendar is updated daily with current educational events.
Introduction to the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes watershed
Lake Superior
Lake Michigan
Lake Huron
Lake Erie
Lake Ontario
The Great Lakes--Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario--and their connecting channels form the largest fresh surface water system on Earth. 
If you stood on the moon, you could see the lakes and recognize the familiar wolf head shape of Lake Superior, or the mitten bounded by lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie.
The Great Lakes, in their current state, are actually one of the youngest natural features on the North American continent. Covering more than 94,000 square miles and draining more than twice as much land, these Freshwater Seas hold an estimated 6 quadrillion gallons of water, about one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water supply and nine-tenths of the U.S. supply.
Fun Facts
Spread evenly across the contiguous 48 states, the lakes' water would be about 9.5 feet deep.
All five of the Great Lakes are among the world's 18 largest lakes by area and volume.
The Great Lakes and islands within them have more than 10,000 miles of coastline.
More about the Great LakesGraphics: North America from space; Lake Michigan beach.
