<p>
	Water can be a blessing or a curse.&nbsp; It is a curse when we receive too much of it in the form of a hurricane or flooding.&nbsp; Who can forget the awful scenes from Hurricane Katrina as she brought her devastating deluge upon the southern delta region of the United States?&nbsp; It is a blessing when one is fortunate enough to live in the Great Lakes region where lakes, streams, bogs, and marshes seem to be everywhere!</p>
<p>
	Limnology &ndash; &ldquo;the study of inland waters&rdquo; -- is a new word I learned when Bob Barr called me to ask if I would let Au Sable students in Dr. John Korstad&rsquo;s Limnology class use our pontoon boat to conduct some experiments on Little Twin Lake where I live.<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}002.JPG" style="width: 250px; height: 188px; float: right;" /></p>
<p>
	What a pleasure it was to watch these students work with their professor to study and learn about the health of our inland waters in Northern Michigan.&nbsp; I was surprised to learn that these students were from all over the United States, such as Kansas, Oklahoma, California, and Wisconsin.&nbsp; They were bright, energetic and enthusiastic.</p>
<p>
	As lake monitor for Little Twin Lake, I work with the Blue Lake-Coldsprings Civic Association to monitor our lake&rsquo;s well-being.&nbsp; Our association partners with the Michigan Clean Water Corps to test our lakes and document changes over time.&nbsp; The way I see it, the more individuals and groups that care about our most precious natural resource, the better!&nbsp; As the old saying goes &ldquo;many hands make light work.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}003.JPG" style="width: 150px; height: 199px; float: left; " />Where would Michigan be without its most notable feature&mdash;pure, clear water.&nbsp; With the many hands of Au Sable students, environmental groups, and local citizens, we can help preserve the health of our lakes and streams.&nbsp; After all, as we Michiganders know, our state is made up of two hands&mdash;the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula&mdash;and all that beautiful blue water in between!</p>
<p>
	Let&rsquo;s all put our hands together to make sure we keep it that way.</p>
