Good afternoon, and welcome everyone to the beautiful Green Lake Park located in Seattle Washington. I’m Emily and will be guiding you through a tour today of the Park highlighting some of the amazing features of the lake. However, I am also here to share with you all that this beautiful park needs your help. There are several environmental issues including invasive plant species, toxic algae, biodiversity harm, and pollution that have been damaging the lake and has all been human-caused. We need people like all of you to show this lake the care and love that it deserves to restore one of the most breathtaking and popular parks in Seattle. Green Lake was created into the park that it is today back in 1907. Ever since, people have been enjoying the 2.8 mile long loop around the lake perfect for walking, biking, and enjoying a nice sunny day. Not only can you enjoy the nature that the park has to offer but also there are many recreational activities such as renting kayaks, paddle boards, and row boats, as well as grabbing a snack from the cafe. There are also many tennis courts to enjoy as well as the Seattle Public Theatre. The lake is truly amazing in how much it has to offer us, so it is our responsibility to protect the lake that brings us so much enjoyment.We are meeting in this park today because of just how popular the park is. Families, friends, cyclists, walkers, our furry friends and everyone in between, come to enjoy the gorgeous lake and spend time away from the bustling city of Seattle. The tranquil lake offers a retreat from the busy life most citizens of Seattle live; an escape into experiencing the peace that the environment has to offer without leaving your home city.What do you feel when you first step into Green Lake? What do you see, hear, and smell? Do you see small clusters of friends divulging in conversation laying on the green grass? Do you hear the splash of oars in the water as people paddle around the lake in boats? Do you hear the chatter of ducks and geese as they swim over the large trout in the lake? Close your eyes and let your five senses really experience what the park is telling you. Nature offers us an escape that nothing else can, and it’s up to you to preserve this escape for your children and the generations to come. As we experience this tour, ask yourself this question: “What are some steps I can take to make sure my human impact on the environment is a positive one?