From Little Lake to Great Lake
Connectedness to the life sustaining waters of the Earth
Given the state of the world, now is a good time to take a walk and be near water. There are significant mental health benefits to being in what some call blue space; essentially, near water. There is research to support being in nature brings many health benefits. I can attest from personal experience that it is true.
I grew up on the shores of an inland lake. I would spend hours catching small fish with my bare hands. Once you focus on such a task, you tend to forget about all else.
Most of the time, I experienced the lake from the shore. I learned to appreciate the pristine nature of its beauty, how it changes from season to season. To ponder where water comes from, and where it flows. We never had a boat, so rarely did I explore further than what I could see from the shore.
This lake was part of a chain of several lakes. The river between them flowed further south to a distant place I could only imagine as a child. I would eventually learn that it lead to Lake Erie.
Once I understood how connected the water was to the Great Lakes, it dramatically influenced how I thought about my role as a steward. It wasn’t just one lake. It was much bigger. I learned to regard the quality of water as a noble cause.
My sense of stewardship deepened with every passing season.
It is no secret that without freshwater, the Earth cannot support life as we know it. This is one of many reasons that freshwater ecosystems are an important environmental conservation priority and why the United States and Canada agreed to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The idea is that the water should be clean and safe enough to fish, swim, and drink (tip: don’t drink it).
There are several large freshwater lake systems on the planet. Notably, the Laurentian Great Lakes, the African Great Lakes, and Lake Baikal are most significant (Global Great Lakes). Somewhere I read that Lake Baikal is named for the sense of awe and nobility it instills when caring for such a regal natural feature of the earth. I am not sure if this is true of the name, but it is a nice sentiment and certainly relevant.
At this point in my life, it is with the Laurentian Great Lakes that I am acquainted. Currently I live within the greater Lake Erie watershed, with the open waters of the western basin of Lake Erie nearest to me. I am honored that I’ve had the opportunity to live across such extraordinary geography. While I appreciate the uniqueness of each lake, I am quite fond of the lower Great Lakes— Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
In particular, I have an affinity for the nature preserves and islands of Lake Erie. They are a significant haven for wildlife, making it an important regional ecosystem for biodiversity. It is also a haven for my artistic sensibilities.
There are many people in the birding, fishing, and artist communities who know and love the natural features of this area, although I am not sure enough people know how important these areas are in the Great Lakes region. Any of the island archipelagos, in fact, as there are several throughout all the lakes. The shallow waters create habitat for fish and birds and numerous other species.
For humans, these waters instill a sense of awe—we feel replenished when we experience such wonder and wilderness. It is emotionally restorative to spend time near water and nature. It is even more nourishing to be where the ecosystem is flush with wildlife, reminding us of the natural rhythms of life. It heals us as living beings.
So where to find a shore?
There are several scenic trail ways around the Great Lakes that lead to public beaches and nature areas. Sometimes called a circle tour around each of the five Great Lakes, or the Seaway Trail in upstate New York; any of these will lead you to the shores. Ohio puts together a very nice public access guide to their Lake Erie shoreline and it is worth the effort to get a hard copy in your hands.
I hope that I have now persuaded you to go for a stroll. Be sure to dress for the season.
Across the national landscape, there are a multitude of nature preserves, research reserves, wildlife refuges, state and national parks and lakeshores. The National Park Service explains some of the differences in public lands of the United States. Research reserves and wildlife refuges are more restrictive of human activities and presence, while state and national parks and recreation areas offer more integrated human accommodation.
As a society, balancing conservation and recreation is an ever evolving process. Being aware, conscious, and conscientious of our own actions will help safeguard delicate ecosystems. Rather than sculpting the natural environment to our liking, we should develop existing human spaces to allow and integrate nature.
In other words, we should seek to coexist.
The integrity of a life sustaining Earth rests on our respect for nature. Cultivating our protective instinct is critical, and matters now more than ever. When you do spend time in nature and near the shores, be mindful as you meander.
Reflecting on one’s own life while immersed in nature is a reflection on nature itself.
It will heal you.
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© Dawn Nelson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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Thank you for reading!
I live in Wisconsin with lots of lakes and agree with your sentiment.
ah yes Wisconsin is amazing! I appreciate that you can relate. Thanks for reading!