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Biodiversity loss in lake michigan:

The Lakefill Graveyard

Project Proposal for COMM_ST 395:

Environmental Art and Advocacy

Evelyn, Mary Kate, Trevor, and Juliana

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OVERVIEW

01

Current problem

02

Our solution

03

Advocacy campaign

04

logistics

05

Assessment

06

Final appeal

Explaining the biggest issues with biodiversity in Lake Michigan

What we propose for individual purposes and what is being done on a bigger scale

Overview of the pitch for our artistic installation on the Lakefill

Diving into the logistics, budget, and timeline for the art installations

What we believe this proposal will do for the problem we are addressing

Comprehensive overview through a serious request

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The problem

01

Loss of biodiversity in Lake Michigan due to invasive species, climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction.

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Deeper dive

POLLUTION

Invasive Species

CLIMATE CHANGE

Habitat destruction

Evelyn:

Invasive species can infiltrate a new ecosystem and entirely shift the food web which creates irreversible problems. Invasive species are primarily spread through unintentional human activity, as well as large ships and boats. Now, there are over 180 non-native aquatic species that have penetrated the Great Lakes.

Climate change has caused temperatures to rise in large bodies of water, shifting species' usual patterns, consequently having a drastic effect on entire ecosystems. Sport and bait fish populations have increased their range boundaries northward by about 10 miles over the last 35 years. So, these typically “southern” fish are now comfortably acclimated to the northern latitude lakes. Also, climate change has an effect on biodiversity loss through severe weather such an hurricanes and droughts that can destroy habitats and harm species.

Habitat destruction is also seen through dams, culvert block rivers, and the development on top of wetlands all contribute to a loss of biodiversity in Lake Michigan.

Pollution from sewage, toxic contamination, atmospheric pollution, and runoff all severely hurt natural life in Lake Michigan. These can be split into point-source pollution, non-point source pollution, and atmospheric pollution.

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The Solutions

02

VOTE, SIgn, & Donate

EDUCATION & DISCOURSE

Future partnerships

Lifestyle Changes

Evelyn:

Here is an array of individual solutions that can help preserve Lake Michigan and the species that call it home.

1: (VOTE/SIGN/DONATE) There are a number of direct actions that can work to preserve and help Lake Michigan. Donating to an organization such as the Alliance for the Great Lakes, which does notable work on protecting the health of the Great Lakes, can directly aid projects that are working towards lake conservation. Signing petitions for various actions that are occurring against the preservation of Lake Michigan is a simple way to get involved. Petitions to limit Nestle’s water withdrawals from Lake Michigan, to protect Lake Michigan communities from toxic coal ash, are a few of the petitions circulating around today. Finally, voting. Being a dutiful citizen means exercising your right to vote. Learning about what candidates stand for, and voting for those who care about the environment and will enact real change should be the people in office. Every election matters from the local to federal level.

2: (LIFESTYLE) Incorporating simple changes by limiting water usage, properly recycling and disposing of waste, modifying yard care, and shifting boating, swimming, and fishing practices can all be effective in doing one’s part in lake conservation.

3: (EDUCATION/DISCOURSE) The most simple solution is education and discourse. Keeping up on contemporary issues and movements regarding climate justice, especially prevalent issues regarding location or background, is crucial in propelling the climate justice movement forward. Then, the step after that is sharing this information. A voice is a very powerful thing, and it should be utilized to its full advantage. Also, engaging in artistic expressions to maximize that voice can be very effective. Items such as educational art installations, which can draw people in and then educate them, are a fantastic example of how knowledge can be spread during this crucial time.

4: (PARTNERSHIPS)

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Advocacy Campaign

03

The Lakefill Graveyard

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OUR OBJECTIVES

Educate

Inspire Action

Create Change

The issue of biodiversity in Lake Michigan tends to hide beneath the water’s surface. We strive to highlight the relevance and severity of the biodiversity loss, educating the community by bringing this seemingly distant issue and forcing acknowledgement.

By forcing acknowledgement and awareness of our role in the loss of biodiversity, we hope to inspire a desire to help. It is imperative to receive support from the Evanston and Chicago communities to instill lasting policy and lifestyle change.

Ultimately, we hope to make lasting change in the loss of biodiversity in Lake Michigan - changing human practices, creating policies, and restoring lost life.

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The Lakefill Graveyard

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Inspirations

I. A Place of Light & Wind (For Lost Prairies) - by Jenny Kendler

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Inspirations

II. Dead Whale - by Biboy Royong

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Inspirations

III. The Photo Ark - by Joel Sartore and National GeographiC

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Inspirations

IV. Biodiversity - by Clare Börsch

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Inspirations

V. cancer alley graveyard - by Giles Clarke

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Lakefill Graveyard

Step One - Starting the Walking Tour

The Goal

The Vision

Get attention at the start of the exhibition
“The dead fish” - a giant sculpture made of pollutants and fishing materials
Engage people walking by, encourage them to scan the large QR code with their phone
QR code takes them to a website of walking tour of the Lakefill Graveyard

Grab attention of the Evanston community
Inspire reflection
Create emotion - fear, guilt, confusion, anger
Create desire for more information

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Lakefill Graveyard

Explore A Prototype of OUr walking Tour

Or follow this link:

https://prezi.com/p/edit/bxrnsggr8z_g/

Scan this QR Code:

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Lakefill Graveyard

The Goal

The Vision

Step Two - Providing An Overview

QR code: interactive walking tour of the Lakefill Graveyard
It gives the audience an overview, providing instruction and direction

Establish an understanding and encourage participation on the tour
Expose overview of the different species in Lake Michigan

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Lakefill Graveyard

The Goal

The Vision

Step Three - Introducing the ISsue

The audience is prompted to click on the first bubble to begin their tour
This introduces the issue, creating an understanding of the importance of the biodiversity in Lake Michigan and the harmful human activities that contribute to this issue

Establish concern and fear for the current loss of biodiversity in Lake Michigan
Educate on the human activity that is leading to the loss of biodiversity

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Lakefill Graveyard

The Goal

The Vision

Step Four - Discussing Specific SpecieS

5 different species that are either extinct or endangered in Lake Michigan
Paint a rock “tomb stone” for each of these species, creating a memorial for the place they once inhabited
The rocks are visible in person -> the website provides education on the species

Create a connection and sense of loss between the species and audience
Incite guilt and anger by explaining why the species is dying
Juxtapose this guilt with hope by providing what work has been done to help this species
Inspire a desire for action by combing a feeling of severity with accessible action

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Lakefill Graveyard

Step Four - Discussing Specific Species (continueD)

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Lakefill Graveyard

The Goal

The Vision

Step FIVE - Inspiring Action and Change

To end the tour, recommendations on how audience can help
Lifestyle change, policy changes, advocacy opportunities, and monetary donations

Inspire direct and immediate action in the Evanston Community
Appeal to the wide range of community members (from monetary contributions to direct involvement)
Inspire awareness and demand change

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Lakefill Graveyard

Our Appeals

Hope

Advocacy

Change

Awareness

Discomfort

FRUSTRaTION

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Lakefill Graveyard

Audience Analysis

Evanston Community: Residents and NU students
Accessibility: common walk pathway
Persuasion to: change lifestyle, donations, demand policy protection

"A new wave of action came in December 2020 to prevent the invasion of Asian carp. A bill passed in the U.S. House to provide 80% federal funding for a new barrier to keep invasive fish out of Lake Michigan."

Evanston Community Members: We primarily want to attract Evanston residents through the accessibility of our art exhibition, located on a common walking path and easily accessible through any cellular device. We plan to target changes in lifestyle, increased awareness, and increased in advocacy through this audience.

Evanston donors: We strive to motivate Evanston donor involvement by making the issue of biodiversity very present in the community. This makes a seemingly distant issue relevant and demanding of aid.

Policy makers: By encouraging the voices of Evanston community members amplifying attention on the loss of biodiversity, we hope for an increase in policy protecting the habitat of Lake Michigan.

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Lakefill Graveyard

Audience Analysis

Inattention: audience might not notice/understand meaning of rocks
Negligence: audience might not agree that biodiversity loss is an important issue
Direct action: audience might not feel compelled to engage in change

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Lakefill Graveyard

Engaging the Community

Encourage involvement of the Evanston community both through help in installation of and interaction with the installation

Participation of volunteers to paint the rocks -> volunteer will be encouraged to pass out educational fliers explaining the significance and importance of the project

Creation of the art as well as the installation to be a form of activism
Include booths with conservation experts from the Shedd aquarium to explain to the Evanston Community how they can help and get involved

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Lakefill Graveyard

Expanding Our Vision

Spread awareness and support for the loss of biodiversity in all of the Great Lakes
Encourage similar low cost educational campaigns in areas near the Great Lakes including Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Canada, and New York.

Aim to increase the relevance and focus on the loss of biodiversity by promoting conservation efforts

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Logistics

04

Diving into the logistics, budget, and timeline for the art installations

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Logistical Timeline

Step 1 (1 week - 2 months) : Getting the greenlight from Northwestern University to be able to paint the rocks, but more importantly set up the initial fish structure marking the start of the tour

Step 2 (1 month - 2 months) : Create and gather a community of Northwestern students and Evanston residents passionate about Lake Michigan biodiversity

Step 3 (1 month - 2 months ) : Help educate the community about our mission, goals, and what we are trying to accomplish with our the Lakefill Graveyard

Step 4 (1 day - 1 week) : Set up a date and plan a small event for the community to help paint the rocks

Step 5: Have the public enjoy the exhibition and inspire positive change for Lake Michigan’s biodiversity

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Budget

Paint and Painting Supplies: $1500

Fish Sculpture: $2500-$3000

QR Codes and Website: $100

Etc (water and food for painters, flyers): $100

Total: $4200-$4700

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Assessment

05

What we believe this proposal will do for the problem we are addressing

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Assessment

With this project we set out to positively impact biodiversity in Lake Michigan by focusing on the 4 factors damaging biodiversity

We understand the reach that only being in Evanston and Northwestern affords us.

Greater biodiversity around Evanston and the Chicagoland Area

An increase in donations to organizations that can help on a bigger scale

Change in lifestyle to be more cognizant of the factors that harm Lake Michigan’s biodiversity

Unify a community passionate about Lake Michigan biodiversity

Create awareness for people in Evanston and NU that there is a need for urgency in Lake Michigan’s biodiversity

Add real pics here

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FINAl Appeal

06

Comprehensive overview through a serious request

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FINAL APPEAL

Combination of physical + virtual components
Inspirations from class and beyond (research) to come up with a creative idea
Detailed proposal with effective steps for implementation
Variety of proposals for different ways to take action
Local community based project that can be expanded to other regions

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The Lakefill graveyard

ANy questions?