Biodiversity Project’s Great Lakes Forever campaign is pleased to release new drink coasters for 2012. These two coasters feature beautiful art from the 2011 Great Lakes Forever Photo and Art Contest winners: Deborah Maris Lader and Kayla Lewis.

For the past seven years, Great Lakes Forever worked with local artists and photographers to document our beautiful lakes in the annual photo and art contest. You can view the 2011 winners here.

As photographers and artists, every time we capture a sunrise on film or paint a summer storm we are sharing the beauty of our region with others. That’s important because our Lakes need all the help they can get. Pollution, invasive species and irresponsible use threaten the health of the Great Lakes. These are massive problems that require active solutions from both federal and local governments and everyday citizens.

Congratulations to the contest winners and thank you to all the hundreds of participants who submitted art and voted for their favorites.

Note: The 2011 winning photograph and drawing were pictured on compelling Great Lakes Forever/Budweiser drink coasters. Unfortunately, Deborah Maris Lader’s credit appeared without her last name on the final printing of the coaster. We are embarrassed and terribly sorry about this mistake. Please visit Deborah’s website to learn more about this talented Chicago-based artist.