The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Sea Grant, The Ohio State University Stone Laboratory, along with many education partners across South Bass Island, will host Lake Erie Awareness Day on Aug. 6, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at six locations, including Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, the DUFF Homestead, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, South Bass Island State Park, The Lighthouse, and the newly renovated ODNR Aquatic Visitor Center This free, family-friendly event will highlight the cultural and historic significance of the islands, address pressing environmental issues such as aquatic invasive species and plastic pollution, draw attention to land conservation efforts, showcase island wildlife, and create more awareness of aquaculture and safe and clean boating programs. Island residents, families, and visitors are encouraged to attend. Event attendees can spend the day touring South Bass Island while learning about Ohio’s greatest water resource and visiting education stations to learn about island history, native plants and animals, the dangers of plastic pollution, and boating safety. The event is hosted by a partnership between Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Laboratory, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Lake Erie Foundation, the Great Lakes Island Alliance, the National Park Service, H2Ohio, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, Eriesponsible, the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, The University of Toledo Lake Erie Center, and the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce. Funding support comes from Shores and Islands, the Center for Great Lakes Literacy, and donation of island maps comes from Put-in-Bay Official Tourism Bureau.
