Lake Erie Challenge up for ECO award

REGIONAL — The Lake Erie Challenge, a local event that brings together athletes, residents and businesses, has been announced as a finalist for ECO Canada’s Community Impact Award.

The Lake Erie Challenge is hosted annually by the Canadian Freshwater Alliance to protect Lake Erie from threats like toxic algal blooms and the

2021 challenge involved local paddle boarders, canoeists and wingfoilers.

ECO Canada’s Community Impact Award recognizes groups and communities that continuously show their dedication to Canada’s environmental growth and make a positive impact on the environmental workforce through their actions. The Freshwater Alliance’s event is one of six finalists for this people’s choice award.

The winner will be selected based on votes received by day’s end on February 2nd.

Every summer, the Lake Erie Challenge brings together a wide range of volunteers.

Pelee Island Winery, Caldwell First Nation, Pelee Wings Nature Store and athletes from across the watershed, were part of a diverse team that worked together over several months in 2021 to organize, educate, train and raise funds.

On August 28, the athletes covered over 100 km on Lake Erie via wingfoil, canoe and stand-up paddle boards for the event.

“This event is driven by a strong and diverse community who loves and cares for Lake Erie,” said Raj Gill, Great Lakes Program Director with the Canadian Freshwater Alliance. “The athletes, local businesses and community groups, youth and council members from Caldwell First Nation, the Pelee Island community, they all made the 2021 Lake Erie Challenge the success that it was, and we are thrilled that their dedication is being recognized.”

Voting is open to the public now until end-of-day on February 2 at: https://ecoimpact. ca/community-impact/ eco-community-impact-award-2022-finalists-en/.