Two NMU students and two alumni successfully completed their quest to circumnavigate Lake Superior by kayak to raise awareness of the importance of clean water and funding for nonprofits that protect the Great Lakes. They departed in May and paddled the final leg of their 1,500-mile journey into Presque Isle beach Aug. 30.
The group is composed of senior digital cinema major Ryan Busch, senior environmental science major Jared Vanoordt, environmental studies and sustainability alumnus Drew Etling and wildlife and fisheries management alumnus Karol Rajski. All had previous guiding experience at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
They collected water samples that can be tested for microplastics by the Superior Watershed Partnership for microplastics. They also will make a documentary about their journey and hope to screen it at film festivals in the Great Lakes region.
Read a more expansive story about the group's mission and goals written early in their adventure here. Or visit fourthewater.com for more information.