Presque Isle Bay, Erie. Photo: Sea Grant PA

On May 20, students, educators and hundreds of area bicyclists will participate in the 4th annual Bike Around the Bay in Erie to raise funds for the non-profit organization Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force located in Erie and Pittsburgh.

Bicyclists will have the option to bike 10, 30 or 50 mile routes and an opportunity to learn more about the Lake Erie Watershed at various rest stops and enjoy beautiful views of the lake and bay…….areas where Earth Force students work each year to protect and positively impact the quality of water in our streams, bay and lake

Pat Lupo, OSB, Director of Earth Force Programs, said “using our most precious resource, water, as a backdrop for the bike tour, will remind people that it is up to each and everyone of us to protect our waterways.”

Earth Force is a process that challenges the students to solve real world problems by exploring and implementing policies and policy-making processes which will create lasting changes in their community.

Earth Force directly benefits the community twofold: youth in schools and after-school programs are empowered to become active citizens and environmental concerns are addressed with sustainable solutions.

The Bike Around the Bay event goal is to raise funds to provide Erie area youth the opportunity, resources and innovative tools to engage them as community leaders and environmental problem solvers in keeping Erie a healthy community.

For more information, visit the Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force webpage.

5/12/2006