What matters most to me about the lake is how intimately important it is in my personal and family sense of place and well-being; its power is centered during calm and storm; its long reach is to both my ancestors and my descendants; it has been terrifying and comforting all at the same time; its beauty mystifies and inspires every time I come upon it in the hurrying of my life. —Frank Ettawageshik, Native American leader and water rights advocate, Harbor Springs, Michigan
What matters most to me is that the water level doesn’t drop anymore so we can keep jumping off the dock, and that the lake stays clean. —Kaela Steele, sailing student at Ephraim Yacht Club, Ephraim, Wisconsin
Ephraim Yacht Club sailing students, Ephraim, Wisconsin (clockwise from top left): Alyssa and Jonathan Graham; Nicolas Gonzalez; Ingrid, Gretchen, and Annika Pearson; Steven Richter
Piper Grant, Kay Piper, and Ginnie Piper Grant, longtime vacation property owners, Harbor Springs, Michigan
Mackinac Bridge workers, St. Ignace, Michigan: (clockwise from top left) Ned McLennan, Keith Ginop, Dan Sheber, Gordon Shunk
