Satellite image of the Great Lakes.

Currents of Change

Dive Deeper: The Work Supporting our Great Lakes

What you’ve discovered in this exhibit is just the beginning. Across the region, dedicated organizations and initiatives are actively working to restore ecosystems, improve water quality, and support the Great Lakes for future generations. Browse the resources below to learn about ongoing efforts and find ways to turn knowledge into action.

Featured

2026 Shared Priorities for the Great Lakes

Developed and endorsed by a bi-national coalition of Great Lakes organizations, the 2026 Shared Priorities outline key actions to restore the lakes and support the region’s economy.

Endorsed by: Great Lakes Commission, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus, Great Lakes Business Network, and Lake Carriers’ Association

Shared priorities logos

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Launched in 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is a major collaborative effort to protect and restore the world’s largest freshwater system by addressing pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and harmful algal blooms. Through thousands of projects, it has improved water quality, restored habitats, and strengthened ecosystems and communities across the region.

Alliance for the Great Lakes

A nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes through advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation efforts that engage communities across the region.

American Great Lakes Ports Association

Represents U.S. ports on the Great Lakes, advocating for policies and infrastructure investments that support maritime commerce and strengthen the regional economy.

Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division designs and manages critical water infrastructure—supporting navigation, restoring ecosystems, and reducing flood risk across the Great Lakes region.

BGSU Center for Great Lakes & Watershed Studies

An interdisciplinary research center advancing solutions to environmental and societal challenges impacting Great Lakes watersheds, with a focus on water quality, ecosystem health, and community connections.

Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority

A tribal organization that manages and protects Great Lakes fisheries and natural resources, ensuring sustainable use and honoring treaty rights for member tribes.

Cleveland Water Alliance

A nonprofit that accelerates innovation in water technology and data to address freshwater challenges, positioning the Great Lakes region as a global leader in the water economy.

Council of the Great Lakes Region

A cross-border organization that brings together leaders from business, government, and academia to advance economic growth and regional cooperation throughout the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region.

Cuyahoga County Fresh Water Institute

The Fresh Water Institute is a Cuyahoga County initiative designed to catalyze a culture of freshwater stewardship and position our region as a global freshwater leader. We are dedicated to convening and collaborating with our region’s water leaders to increase educational programming, grow our sustainable water economy, expand access to our waterfronts, and advocate for our freshwater resources.

Delta Institute

Works with communities and partners across the Great Lakes region to implement sustainable, science-based solutions that improve environmental resilience, water resources, and climate outcomes.

Freshwater Institute (The Conservation Fund)

Conducts applied research and develops advanced aquaculture systems to improve water quality and create sustainable, land-based fish production. Its work supports healthier freshwater ecosystems and informs practices that can benefit regions, including the Great Lakes.

Friends of Euclid Creek

A community-based organization dedicated to restoring and protecting Euclid Creek and its watershed through education, stewardship, and habitat improvement efforts that ultimately impact Lake Erie.

Great Lakes Business Network

A coalition of businesses working to promote clean water and sustainable practices while advocating for policies that protect the Great Lakes and support a strong regional economy.

Great Lakes Centers for Fresh Water & Human Health

A research collaborative studying the links between Great Lakes water quality and human health, with a focus on harmful algal blooms and their impacts on communities.

Great Lakes Coastal Assembly

A regional partnership of agencies and organizations working collaboratively to conserve and restore Great Lakes coastal ecosystems using science-based strategies and shared priorities.

Great Lakes Commission

An interstate agency that brings together Great Lakes states and provinces to coordinate policies, share data, and promote the sustainable use and protection of water resources.

Great Lakes Fishery Commission

A binational organization that manages shared fisheries between the United States and Canada, focusing on sea lamprey control, scientific research, and fishery sustainability.

Great Lakes Now

A public media initiative that produces in-depth journalism and storytelling to inform and engage audiences on environmental, economic, and cultural issues affecting the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)

A nonprofit providing coordinated, real-time data and monitoring systems that support research, policy, and decision-making across the Great Lakes.

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

A coalition of mayors and local leaders working to protect and restore the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River through policy advocacy, collaboration, and local action.

Healing Our Waters Great Lakes Coalition

A partnership of organizations advocating for federal investment in Great Lakes restoration, supporting projects that improve water quality, habitat, and community resilience.

International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR)

Brings together scientists, researchers, and partners to advance the study and management of Great Lakes and large lake ecosystems through collaboration, conferences, and publications.

Keep Toledo Lucas County Beautiful

A local nonprofit promoting environmental stewardship through litter prevention, recycling, education, and community beautification efforts that support healthier regional waterways.

Lake Carriers’ Association

Represents U.S.-flagged vessels operating on the Great Lakes, supporting policies that ensure safe, efficient shipping and the continued movement of essential raw materials across the region.

Lake Erie Commission

A state agency focused on preserving Lake Erie’s natural resources, protecting water quality, and coordinating efforts to manage and improve the lake’s ecosystem.

Lake Erie Foundation

A nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring Lake Erie through advocacy, education, and support for sustainable solutions addressing issues like harmful algal blooms and invasive species.

Lake Erie West Regional Council – Water (TMACOG)

A regional planning partnership that coordinates water quality initiatives, policy development, and public education efforts to improve and protect the Lake Erie watershed.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (NOAA GLERL)

NOAA GLERL and its partners conduct innovative research on the dynamic environments and ecosystems of the Great Lakes and coastal regions to provide information for resource use and management decisions that lead to safe and sustainable ecosystems, ecosystem services, and human communities.

The Lake Erie & Aquatic Research Network (LEARN)

A collaborative network of researchers and institutions working to advance aquatic science, education, and policy through shared research and resources across Ohio’s water systems.

The Ohio State University Stone Laboratory

A freshwater field station providing hands-on education, research, and outreach focused on Lake Erie and Great Lakes science.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. EPA helps guide funding and collaboration to address critical environmental issues and accelerate restoration across the region.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports efforts to reduce pollution, control invasive species, and protect habitats across the region.

U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center

The USGS Great Lakes Science Center provides research and data to support the management and restoration of Great Lakes ecosystems, including work on invasive species, native fish recovery, and coastal habitat health.

UToledo Lake Erie Center

A research and education facility studying environmental conditions, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems in western Lake Erie and its watershed to improve long-term sustainability.

Wings Over Water Research Institute

An organization advancing Great Lakes conservation through long-term bird research, water-quality monitoring, education, and community outreach. Founded in 2025, the Ann Arbor-based organization builds on more than 40 years of environmental science to protect waters and inspire change.

Wisconsin Watch

A nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization that produces in-depth reporting to hold power to account, train journalists, and strengthen communities through informed, fact-based journalism.

Additional Resources

Wisconsin Watch | Pest or climate ally? DNR weighs new beaver management plan under mounting scrutiny

Nature Conservancy | Restoring Streams and Wetlands Through the Ohio Mitigation Program

Nature Conservancy | Stories of Hope: Conservation Success in the Midwest