Great Lakes Forever c/o Biodiversity Project 4507 N Ravenswood #106 Chicago, IL 60640 773-496-4020 phone 773-906-1303 fax project@biodiverse.org   Intro :: At the Beach :: Gone Fishing :: Wildlife :: In Our Homes :: Memories Each year, 60 million people visit the beaches of the Great Lakes. The beachs are perfect for splashing and playing Marco Polo with the kids or taking a solitary, contemplative stroll along the shore.   Our five Great Lakes offer a multitude of beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes and hidden coves. Our many national parks on the Great Lakes, as well as dozens of state parks, encapsulate some of the best of these beaches. Whether it's on the cobbly shores near Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota, or the fine-grained white sand of Indiana Dunes, our beaches are a treasure!   However, beach closings are a problem in the Great Lakes. Sewage treatment plant discharges, polluted runoff from nearby fields and lawns industrial pollution can make these waters unhealthy if we are not careful. Read more about the water quality of the Great Lakes.   Fortunately, organizations and initiatives like Blue Wave Campaign , Alliance for the Great Lakes' Adopt-A-Beach program , and the EPA's BEACH Program are working to clean up our beaches.   You too can help avert beach closings and other public health emergencies. Click here to learn what steps you can take to keep our Lakes, rivers and streams clean and safe.     Learn More About Great Lakes Beaches Great Lakes Beach Cast Find out about the conditions at your favorite Great Lakes beach. Learn more about beach closings and what causes them. Alliance for the Great Lakes This site contains specifics about Lake Michigan’s beaches, but their “Prescription for Healthy Beaches” is applicable to all the Great Lakes.