MANITOWOC (WLUK) — With hundreds of miles of shoreline and about a quadrillion gallons of water, Lake Michigan is impressive, experts say.

And in Manitowoc, dozens gathered Friday morning to celebrate successes and address challenges on Lake Michigan Day.

Fishing has reportedly been slow in Manitowoc Harbor, but many have been seen trying their luck. Conservationist Michael Mullen says parts of Lake Michigan’s shoreline are improving.

“Our work focuses on the streams and rivers, the catchments that flow into Lake Michigan. So we are slowly but surely working to improve those areas to increase water quality,” said Mullen, executive director of the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership.

From politicians to environmentalists, about 70 people crowded into the Riverview Room of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum on Friday. The keynote speaker was Sara Smith, a liaison for Midwest Tribal Resilience and a citizen of the Oneida Nation.

“When it comes to natural resource management, the perspective is very different. We talk about our relatives on the landscape and not so much our resources. Water is also one of our relatives. Water connects us all. Without water, there would be no life,” said Sara Smith, Midwest Tribal Resilience Liaison.

Smith says global warming is a big problem and dealing with the situation requires flexibility and respect.

“It will take a collective effort to adapt to what our human population has created over the years, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something at the individual level,” she said.

Smith says growing a garden and hunting and fishing locally can help reduce environmental impact. She remains optimistic, giving Lake Michigan an eight out of 10 rating. Mullen agrees.

“Lake Michigan needs a voice. And the conservationists who come today will be that voice,” he said.

It is the 11th annual Lake Michigan Day.