Beaches are an important indicator of the health of Great Lakes ecosystems. Many of the most serious problems facing the lakes — such as bacterial pollution and algae blooms that are fueled by sewer overflows, polluted runoff and invasive species — play out on Great Lakes beaches.
I wrote about this issue for the Great Lakes ECHO Web site. You can find the article here.
I grew up in suburban Los Angeles. Moved to Michigan to play college hockey. What? Seriously. Hockey didn't work out. Settled on journalism. Met girl of my dreams (now wife) while in college. Encountered the wondrous Great Lakes. Never returned to California. Blessed with three wonderful children. Worked as a reporter and editor for 25 years at several Michigan newspapers. Wrote two books. Left the newspaper industry in 2009. Started my own writing and media consulting business (J. Alexander Communications). Now a contract writer for hire. I enjoy kayaking, hiking, reading, watching pro hockey and college football, traveling, exploring the Great Lakes and occasionally trying to rise above the rank of world's worst angler. And I blog about the Great Lakes because these freshwater seas are, in a word, incredible. Thanks for visiting!
