In 2009 and 2010, boats made out of post-consumer recyclable materials floated on Lake Erie during a unique event to help raise awareness about the impact of plastic on our environment. Come join us for:
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Co-sponsored by
Cleveland Metroparks |
The Third Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Boat Launch at 10 am
Lower Edgewater State Park Beach
Cleveland, Ohio
Boat Building Workshop
Join Marcus Eriksen at CMNH on Wed, Aug 3, and learn how to build a plastic boat! See below to learn more.
Build and float your plastic boat in Lake Erie!
Winners will be recognized in three categories:
- Fastest Boat
- Best Use of Recyclable Materials
- Most Artistic Style
- L'il Sailors
The "Best Use of Recyclable Materials" winner will have their boat recycled by Polyflow.
Polyflow offers an innovative technology that for the first time allows true recycling of mixed dirty plastic and rubber waste.
Learn how to make a plastic boat
Boat Building Workshop and Update on Marine Debris Research with Marcus Eriksen
Wednesday, August 3; 6 to 8 pm
Murch Auditorium, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Free with Museum admission!
In preparation for the Third Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float, join Dr. Marcus Eriksen, Director of Project Development for the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, as he shares hints for building your own boat out of recyclable materials. Marcus built The Cola-hoga, his 13th plastic boat, for the 2009 Great Lake Erie Boat Float and is best known for sailing across the Pacific Ocean on JUNK built out of 15,000 plastic bottles. Marcus will also give an update on his latest research from the world’s oceans.
If you can't attend the workshop, you can watch Marcus' videos for ideas on how to make a plastic boat.
Beach Clean up by Drink Local. Drink Tap.
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Photo credit: Nancy Hughes
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Recent reports tell of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located in the Pacific Ocean, but we don't have to go to the ocean to see the impact of plastic on our environment. The beaches on our own Lake Erie tell a similar story.
Come watch the boats float on September 10, and bring along a garbage bag to pick up plastic trash along the beach.
Beach clean up sponsored by Drink Local. Drink Tap.
You Can Make a Difference: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The Great Lake Erie Boat Float is being held in conjunction with the Eighth Annual Conservation Symposium presented by The Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This year's theme is Climate Change. Learn more about the Conservation Symposium here.
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| Photo credit: Nancy Hughes |
Registration Information
Registration is required for all participants floating their boat in the Third Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float. There is no registration fee but all participants must sign a liability waiver and will be required to wear a life jacket while in the water.
Registration Form
L'il Sailors Registration Form
The Li'l Sailors category is for children 12 years of age and younger who would like to build a small boat out of post-consumer recyclable materials. All Li'l Sailors boats will be displayed on the beach before the start of the Boat Float. The winner of the Li'l Sailors category will be determined by a judge and prizes will be awarded in this category at the conclusion of the Boat Float. Li'l Sailors' must fill out a registration form by September 4 to be considered for a prize.
Registration Deadline: Sunday, September 4, 2011
For more information, contact Cathi Lehn by email at: clehn@cmnh.org.
Launch site and course
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Lower Edgewater State Park Beach
Cleveland, Ohio
Boat Launch will be at 10 am from the Lower Edgewater State Park Beach. Spectators welcome!
Transportation to and from Launch Site
All participants will be responsible for the delivery and removal of their boats and all components of their boat to and from the Park. A map of the launch site is available here.
Recycling or Re-use of Materials
It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that their boat is composed entirely of post-consumer materials and that all materials are transported from the Park and disposed of in a responsible manner at the conclusion of the Boat Float.
Sponsors