Watershed Conservation Plan - Destination Erie

Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies (http://www.bayfrontcenter.org)
The Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies is a not for profit, 501 (c)3 community-based corporation
whose mission is to design and deliver unique, hands-on, maritime-related educational, vocational, and
recreational opportunities for all members of the community. BCMS began operation in May 1998 and has
worked with thousands of area youth creating positive learning experiences through building boats, sailing
aboard one of the Center's boats, learning about our environment, and having fun on beautiful Presque Isle
Bay and Lake Erie.
Benedictine Sisters of Erie (http://www.eriebenedictines.org/index.html)
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie have lived and worked in Erie for 149 years. They are dedicated to
remaining an integral part of this community, with a special outreach to the poor and marginalized. The
corporate commitment of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie is: to model the Benedictine charism of peace, PAX,
by working for disarmament, ecological stewardship, and social justice in solidarity with the poor and
oppressed, especially women.
Erie County Conservation District (http://www.erieconservation.com/Home_Page.php)
The The Erie County Conservation District (ECCD) was established over 50 years ago and has become
a leader in addressing environmental concerns. Its mission is to set an example and provide assistance to
citizens in Erie County for wise use, management, and development of our natural resources by addressing
conservation issues through education and outreach.
ECCD is a natural link between local, state, and federal entities. Outstanding partnerships have been
formed between resource people, educators, local government, and concerned citizens. It is the District's
philosophy to use a voluntary approach to solve natural resource problems. Our continued emphasis has been
placed on problem-solving through cooperation.
Erie County Environmental Coalition (http://eriecountyenvirocoalition.blogspot.com)
The Erie County Environmental Coalition is a conglomeration of organizations committed to dealing
with environmental issues in Erie County. Its members include both local organizations and local
representative of larger national organizations. Its members have been defending the environment in the Erie
area for over 20 years.
Gaia Defense League (http://awareearth.net)
The Gaia Defense League is not for profit, 501 (c)3 community-based organization dedicated to
protecting natural resources, including water, air, habitat, and native species. The GDL recognizes the legal
rights that citizens hold to defend natural and cultural resources, and to ensure the preservation of a healthy
environment for future generations of all forms of life. The group recognizes that the Earth is a living
organism, a complex adaptive system, whose survival is threatened by a global market system that exploits
and in many cases destroys the cultural and biological diversity necessary to sustain life on earth.
Great Lakes United (http://www.glu.org)
Great Lakes United is an international coalition dedicated to preserving and restoring the Great Lakes
and St. Lawrence River ecosystem. The organization's 180 member organizations include environmentalists,
conservationists, hunters and anglers, labor unions, community groups, and citizens of the United States,
Canada, and First Nations and Tribes. Great Lakes United develops and promotes effective policy initiatives,
carries out education programs, and promotes citizen action and grassroots leadership to assure clean water
and clean air for all, better safeguards to protect the health of people and wildlife, and a conservation ethic
that will leave a healthy Great Lakes.
Healing Our Waters Coalition (http://www.healingourwaters.org/)
Healing Our Waters Coalition is a project of the Wege Foundation of Grand Rapids, Michigan, which
was founded on the principles of education, environment, ethics, empathy, ecology, and economy. Since its
inception in 1968, the Wege Foundation has supported a number of causes, including the environment,
education, health care, and community development. In May 2004, the Foundation helped to convene a
meeting of more than 70 leading environmentalists, ecologists, scientists, and academicians. During the
two-day "summit," these leading conservationists worked together to form the Healing Our Waters Coalition
and thereby outlined a plan for restoring and protecting America's greatest freshwater resource, the Great
Lakes.
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