Join us for Great Lakes Day in Washington, D.C., March 6-7, 2013
Hamilton Crowne Plaza
1001 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
With your help, the effort to restore the Great Lakes has made significant progress over the past three years. However we need your help now more than ever to ensure that funding for essential Great Lakes programs do not get cut.
Please attend Great Lakes Day 2013, March 6-7, in Washington, D.C. Your participation is vital in maintaining support for essential Great Lakes programs by the U.S. Congress and the Obama Administration.
Attend Great Lakes Day March 6-7 in Washington, D.C., and:
- Learn about critical issues facing the Great Lakes
- Attend training sessions to become a more effective advocate
- Meet with your members of Congress and urge them to support Great Lakes restoration.
Your help is needed now more than ever. As federal public officials discuss how to balance the federal budget, there is tremendous pressure to cut programs, including those that are vital to restore and protect the Great Lakes. Attend Great Lakes Day to voice your support for the Lakes.
Great Lakes advocates have been instrumental in winning more than $1 billion in federal support to clean up toxic hot spots, restore critical habitat, and confront invasive species through programs like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Great Lakes programs are producing results—but there is more work to do. We won’t quit until we’ve put an end to drinking water restrictions, beach closings and fish consumption advisories. Your presence at Great Lakes Day 2013 will help us do that.
It is imperative for the Great Lakes community to continue to speak with a unified, strong voice—reminding members of Congress and the Obama Administration that Great Lakes restoration programs are a solid federal investment that produces results.
Attend Great Lakes Day 2013, March 6-7, in Washington, D.C.—and stand up for a resource that more than 30 million people depend on for their drinking water, jobs, health and way of life.
ABOUT
Each year, regional organizations including the Healing Our Waters – Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes Commission, Northeast-Midwest Institute, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and Tribal agencies bring approximately 150 people from the region to Washington.
Annual features of Great Lakes Day include an evening reception at the Canadian Embassy, a Congressional Breakfast on Capitol Hill and visits with Congressional offices.
Read the preliminary Great Lakes Day 2013 Agenda.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Coalition has reserved a block of rooms for Wednesday, March 6, at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, 1001 14th Street, Washington, D.C., 20005. As a Great Lakes Day attendee, you’ll be sharing a hotel room with a roommate. Please find a roommate—and indicate on the registration form who your roommate will be.
If you are new to the Coalition and need assistance with finding a roommate, please indicate this on the registration site and coalition staff will help you find one.
PLEASE NOTE: It is not mandatory for attendees to have a roommate for Great Lakes Day. However, people choosing not to have a roommate must pay for half of the room for January 6. Coalition staff will make your reservations so please indicate your preference on the registration form.
If you are staying in Washington, D.C., more than one evening (i.e. later than March 6), please indicate this on your registration form. Coalition staff will make the reservation for you. The coalition will pay for the room on March 6 and you will be responsible for any additional nights.
TRAVEL
Please book your travel arrangements today. Plan to arrive early the morning of March 6, as the training session starts at 10 AM. Depart late in the afternoon or early evening of March 7. Reagan National Airport is the closest airport—although flights can be expensive. Baltimore Washington International Airport offers a lower-cost alternative, with the MARC commuter train offering a convenient way to get to Washington, D.C.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship recipients will receive up to $225 in travel reimbursements.
MEETINGS
Coalition state leaders from each of the Great Lakes states will set up meetings with members of Congress and their staff. However, if you have any special needs or relationships that we should be aware of, please contact Martha Borie Wood – Great Lakes Day Coordinator, at martha@healthylakes.org.
GREAT LAKES CONGRESSIONAL BREAKFAST RECEPTION
The Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast Reception will be held Thursday, March 7, from 8 AM-9:30 AM. The reception includes a continental breakfast sponsored jointly by the Great Lakes Commission and Northeast-Midwest Institute. Invited guests include members of the Great Lakes Congressional Delegation, Great Lakes governors, mayors and tribes, and congressional staff.
Healing Our Waters members can take advantage of the reduced rate fee of $25 to attend the Congressional Breakfast. To register for the Congressional Breakfast please go to: www.glc.org/greatlakesday and use the HOW reduced rate code 989.Location of the breakfast TBD.