Celebrate Water Initiative Kicks off May 5

Stewardship of nature is one the foundational values of Door County. The beauty of the area’s natural environment has drawn visitors for generations, and none of these features is more vital to our health and economy than water.

This year, a new initiative has been launched by citizens to celebrate, advocate for, and protect the waters of Door County. Celebrate Water Door County hosts a kickoff event May 5 for a year of bringing attention to the issues that impact this important resource. The year of water will culminate in a Water Summit that will bring experts, politicians, journalists, and citizens together to discuss the health and threats to our water in June of 2019.

The initiative was started by a mother inspired by the words of her son. When journalist and author Dan Egan released his critically acclaimed book, The Death and Life of the Great Lakes, in 2017, his mother Anne was driven to action.

Egan wanted to draw upon Door County’s giving nature and the enthusiasm of preservation and conservation. One of her goals is to show visitors a united community of citizens dedicated to bringing this issue to the forefront. As the Celebrate Water slogan states, “Together we can make waves.”

“The response throughout the community has been amazing and has really evoked the pride we all have in what makes the Door County peninsula so unique – the water that surrounds us,” Egan said.

The year of water will include educational lectures, performances and art exhibits, articles and initiatives. You can join the cause with Celebrate Water on social media by using #celebratewaterdoorcounty. Share your pictures from their events you attend or any water related pictures that were taken on your adventures in Door County. If you happen to see their mascot Dewy the Droplet out and about, snap a selfie with him and share it using #doorcountydewy.

•••

All are welcome to participate in Celebrate Water Door County Day at Sawyer Park on May 5, 1-2pm. Hear brief talks from Rep. Joel Kitchens and Bret Bicoy, president and CEO of the Door County Community Foundation. Enjoy music from Cathy Grier and the New Day Singers with Open Door Bird Sanctuary holding a meet-and-greet with a few of their birds. Free tours of the USCG vessel Mobile Bay are also available. Take home a complimentary pack of Celebrate Water coffee courtesy of Door County Coffee & Tea and enjoy free pizza, popcorn and lemonade. Make sure to stop by the Celebrate Water table to meet the Celebrate Water mascot, Dewy the Droplet, and learn more about the initiative. For more information visit celebratewaterdoorcounty.org.