Nimble Government Email Appeals to Save Lake Michigan

“We are outraged at the exemption BP has received from state environmental laws by Indiana state regulators threatening the efforts of the last 30 years to preserve and protect the Great Lakes, our region’s greatest natural resource.”

In a strongly worded letter, Timothy J. Mitchell, General Superintendent & CEO, Chicago Park District (CPD) used the power of email to rapidly and cost effectively galvanize the attention of tens of thousands of Chicagoans who live, work and play on the world’s largest body of fresh water. His urgent initiative on July 19, 2007 calling for a petition drive on July 21, 2007 to “Save our Lake,” came just a few days after Indiana’s actions.The incident is noteworthy not only for the rapid and decisive action in the face of an imminent environmental threat but that a massive public solicitation was enabled by email, permitting instant personal appeals to targeted Chicago citizenry.

Since the launch of its website, CPD has invited site visitors to subscribe to its newsletter. And they do by the scores everyday, resulting in a healthy and growing permission-based email list of residents interested in their city’s parks, recreational activities and environmental quality.  It was this list that Tim Mitchell turned to mobilize action quite literally for taxpayer’s fractional pennies per contact.

When decisive government officials use technology effectively, the results can be, well, maybe we can Save Our Lake.

Are you a Chicago area resident? To start getting signatures in your neighborhood, click here to download a copy of the petition.