About Great lakes protection fund
Great Lakes Protection Fund: Enhancing the Health of the Great Lakes Ecosystem
The Great Lakes are a vital natural resource that provides drinking water, recreation, and economic benefits to millions of people in North America. However, this ecosystem is facing numerous challenges such as pollution, invasive species, climate change and habitat loss. To address these issues and promote regional action to enhance the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem, the Great Lakes Protection Fund was established.
The Fundβs mission is to identify, demonstrate and promote innovative solutions that improve the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Since its inception in 1989, it has invested over $100 million in more than 300 projects across eight states and two Canadian provinces. These projects have focused on a wide range of issues including water quality improvement, habitat restoration, sustainable agriculture practices and environmental education.
One of the unique aspects of the Fund is its collaborative approach to problem-solving. It brings together stakeholders from government agencies, non-profit organizations, academia and industry to work towards common goals. By fostering partnerships between these groups with diverse perspectives and expertise on environmental issues affecting the region's economy and communities.
The Fund also serves as a knowledge hub for information related to protecting Great Lake ecosystems by compiling topics such as ideas for conservation efforts or questions about how best we can protect our environment while still maintaining economic growth within our communities.
Some examples include:
1) Water Quality Improvement: The fund has supported several projects aimed at reducing nutrient runoff from agricultural lands into Lake Erie which causes harmful algal blooms (HABs). One project involved working with farmers to implement best management practices such as cover crops or reduced tillage which can reduce soil erosion while improving soil health.
2) Habitat Restoration: The fund has supported several projects aimed at restoring wetlands along Lake Michigan shoreline which provide critical habitat for migratory birds like sandhill cranes or endangered species like piping plovers.
3) Sustainable Agriculture Practices: The fund has supported several projects aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture practices that reduce nutrient runoff into streams leading into Lake Superior while also improving soil health through cover cropping or reduced tillage methods.
4) Environmental Education: The fund supports educational programs designed for students ranging from K-12th grade about environmental science topics related specifically towards protecting our great lakes ecosystems!
If you have any questions regarding any aspect related to protecting our great lakes ecosystems please feel free contact us! We welcome your comments additions submissions challenges!