Lake Champlain Basin Marine Debris Coalition
Marine debris is any human-made material that ends up in our waterways. It impacts the environment, human health, and the economy. Despite its name, marine debris is not restricted to oceans. It is also found in freshwater bodies like Lake Champlain, Lake George, and their tributaries. Marine debris comes in all shapes and sizes, from sunken boats to microplastics, which are plastic pieces smaller than a pencil eraser. Plastic foam, like Styrofoam, is a type of marine debris commonly found during cleanups in the Lake Champlain Basin. Its abundance reflects our reliance on foam in our daily lives, since foam-based marine debris includes everything from dock floats to packaging material.
Established in fall 2024, the Lake Champlain Basin Marine Debris Coalition is led by Lake Champlain Sea Grant, Rozalia Project, Lake Champlain Committee, Conservation Law Foundation, Vermont Boat and Marine Association, and Lake George Association. This effort is made possible by funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Coalition will:
- Bring together organizations and communities with a shared commitment to reduce marine debris in the health of our local waters;
- Create and deliver lesson plans to engage youth in marine debris education;
- Support lakeshore businesses and private dock owners in their efforts to prevent plastic foam from entering our lakes and streams;
- Organize cleanup events; and
- Track areas of marine debris accumulation in Lake Champlain Basin.
Get in touch with the Coalition
The Coalition is seeking new partners to join its growing network! Whether you want to have a cleanup in your community, report the location of marine debris along Lake Champlain or Lake George, contribute resources, or be part of a collective voice to help reduce the presence of marine debris in our waterways, please contact the Coalition’s coordinator, Aude Lochet, at aloch001 [at] plattsburgh.edu.
The Coalition is also offering free education outreach and programming. If you know of a community group or youth program that is interested in learning more about marine debris, please contact Nicole Chochrek at Nicole [at] RozaliaProject.org.