MILWAUKEE - One of our region's biggest resources is facing some serious threats, and Great Lakes advocates are working to get their voices heard.

It's easy to identify one of southeast Wisconsin’s most significant assets. It's called a Great Lake for a reason.

“The recreation, the income it brings to the area is almost immeasurable,” Bruce Nason of the South Shore Yacht Club said.

Lake Michigan and its four counterparts are being threatened. So the 60-foot long, 100-foot tall Earth Voyager sailboat set off on a 13 city summer tour to raise awareness about the need to turn things around.

There are four key concerns…

“Invasive species, sewerage overflows, wildlife habitat and toxic sediments,” Peter Alexander from the Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives Tour said.

The sign unfurled along side the boat says it all: Our Water, Our Future.

Somewhat surprisingly, this is one issue where many environmentalists, politicians and business owners agree.

“You're right, 30 years ago it would've been just the hippies that would've been concerned about this but now we've got industries, over 120 industries right here in Milwaukee that really are related to water,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said.

Great Lakes advocates conclude today's work on the issue might mean tomorrow's generation could swim, sail and rest a bit easier.

The Earth Voyager will be docked at Discovery World Museum through Saturday morning.