Safeguarding water discussed at "Lake Michigan Day" in Manitowoc

MANITOWOC (WLUK) — Problems and successes in protecting the quality of the water.

It’s part of the discussion at the annual “Lake Michigan Day” event.

Lake Michigan Day 2026 (WLUK video)

From bright blossoms blooming, to birds bobbing in the water, to boats of many different sizes, River Alliance of Wisconsin Executive Director Allison Werner says parts of Lake Michigan have a lot to offer.

“It’s a very important resource for us. For us, we consider Wisconsin that we’re a water state. It’s something we value. It’s important to our culture, and our economy. So protecting all of the waters, especially these amazing Great Lakes we have is really important,” said Werner.

She was keynote speaker at the 13th Annual Lake Michigan Day. Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership Executive Director Amy Lentz says about 65 people attended the symposium Friday at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc.

“We have folks from Kenosha, up through Door County who all come together to network, and celebrate the work they do, and talk about what action still needs to be taken,” said Lentz.

Lake Michigan Day 2026 at Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, August 14, 2026 (WLUK/Eric Peterson)

“We’re also here to talk about challenges. How do we work with things like invasive species coming in? Pollutants that float into our water like phosphorus. PFAS has become a new emerging issue here in the state and around the country,” said Werner.

“It’s not a rural issue, an urban issue, it’s an everybody issue Unfortunately every nook and cranny every river in the state, every lake in the state has some level of water quality issue, that if we work together to address, we can find these solutions to those challenges,” she said.

Lake Michigan Day included awards given to “Champions of Conservation” for their contributions to environmental work.