June 24, 2004

The Department of Environmental Quality has announced that Ashley Vayko of Simpson Middle School in Flatrock has been selected as the winner of Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Poster Contest. This contest was launched in April, 2004, by the DEQ’s Office of the Great Lakes for students in grades 6-8 to demonstrate their knowledge of Great Lakes aquatic invasive species and the impacts they cause on Great Lakes ecosystems.

Over 200 poster entries were received from schools statewide. A framed replica of the winning poster was signed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and was presented to Ashley on Michigan United Conservation Club’s Out-of-Doors Television on June 3. Ashley’s poster was used as the official Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week poster, held June 7-13, and was reproduced and distributed statewide to school libraries, nature centers, visitor centers, and several other locations. Winning and honorable mention entries are posted on the DEQ website at www.michigan.gov/deqaquaticinvasives.

Funding for the poster contest was provided by Peter M. Wege. For copies of the poster contact the Office of the Great Lakes at 517-335-4056.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised June 24, 2004 by Pat Watson