The five Great Lakes, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario with their connecting waters are the world’s largest freshwater system; about 20 per cent of all the fresh surface water on this planet. Each lake differs from the other and yet these connected lakes are one flowing system connected to the Atlantic through the St. Lawrence River. Unique ecosystems evolved in these lakes since the last Ice Age but in the last 200 years commercial fishing and the Lamprey Eel wiped out larger fish. Shipping on the Great Lakes from all parts of the world has brought exotic species that threaten to topple food pyramids. Pollution carried through the air and water damages life in and around these lakes. Through knowledge, and the democratic process, The Dynamic Great Lakes encourages us to appreciate and understand these lakes and to get involved in finding answers to their problems.
Worked on grassroots committees to improve the environment: West Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan Pesticides Council, and The League of Women Voters.
Wrote feature articles as a correspondent for the Grand Rapids Press for seven years. Contributed feature stories and poems to many outdoor magazines, newspapers and poetry magazines.
Taught writing, literature and liberal studies at Grand Valley State University for eight years.
Developed writing courses based upon environmental studies at G.V.S.U.
Consulted experts to write a critically acclaimed non-fiction book, The Dynamic Great Lakes: These experts included geologists, naturalists, fish biologists, and environmental activists
My published books are: The Dynamic Great Lakes, a critically acclaimed non-fiction book about the Great Lakes ecosystems. This is a green book.
The Wilderness Within is a book of poetry and essays from wild places and their peoples in the world.
Sophia's Lost and Found: Poems of Above and Below is drawn from the deep wells of nature and is spiritual in content.
Promotes environmental literacy by speaking to civic groups, museums and schools.
Featured on several radio, television and podcasts.
Contributes comments to government hearings on environmental issues.
Maintains several blogs and websites:
Sophia's Lost and Found www.freewebs.com/barbaraspring This is my poetry and art website. I have a page dedicated to how to write a poem.
The Dynamic Great Lakes Blog http://bjspring.wordpress.com
Photos, maps and information
Dynamic Great Lakes http://barbara-spring.blogspot.com This one has Great Lakes videos and up to date news about the Great Lakes.
Books by Barbara Spring http://barbaraspring.yolasite.com Reviews of my books and photos.
