Freshwater Future Honored as the First Organizational River Hero from River Network!
Freshwater Future is proud to be honored as the inaugural organizational recipient of the River Hero award this year from River Network! River Hero awards recognize people and teams that are building the movement for healthy and resilient rivers, safe and affordable drinking water, and climate-resilient communities. We are delighted to accept this award from our friends at River Network and are invigorated to continue our mission!
Registration is Now Open for Freshwater Future’s Virtual Monthly Wellness Sessions – Join us on April 25th!
Water Watchers and Wellness has a new format this year! Water protectors (that’s you!) are under a lot of stress in the fight to protect the people and waters of the Great Lakes. With all the joys of this purpose-driven work, the mistreatment of our communities and environment takes a toll. We see you, we appreciate you, and we invite you to a dedicated space to heal our hearts, minds, and bodies. Our facilitator, Jonathan Relucio, is a skilled practitioner of trauma-informed mindfulness, yoga, and meditation with over 20 years of experience advocating for social justice. Please join us for monthly wellness-focused sessions starting April 25th at 11:30 am ET. Sessions will run for 45 minutes. Please register here and we hope to see you!
Speak Out to Protect Chautauqua Lake from Harmful Herbicides: Deadline March 20th!
The Chautauqua-Conewango Consortium is fighting the widespread use of herbicides to control nuisance aquatic plants in Chautauqua Lake in Western New York. Killing growing, aquatic plant species with herbicides adds the plant’s nutrients to the lake and can stimulate more aquatic plant growth. Herbicides are toxic to our pets, aquatic life, and the lake ecosystem! A comment period is open until March 20, 2024, on the permit applications submitted to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to use the herbicides this spring. Please use Freshwater Future’s simple form to submit your comment letter to the DEC today to share concerns about the use of these harmful chemicals.
Spring Project Grants are Open! Does Your Water Group Need Funding?
The deadline for Freshwater Future’s Spring Project Grants is March 30th! These grants provide financial support for community groups working to promote drinking water, river, lake, shoreline, wetland, and groundwater protection in the Great Lakes Basin through grassroots advocacy efforts. Interested in applying? Call Freshwater Future staff to share more about your idea before submitting a project grant proposal. Contact Laurie Breighner, laurie@freshwaterfuture.org or (231)348-8200 ext. 1, to check your eligibility, help with your application, or to ask questions. You can learn more about our Spring Project Grants here and sign up to attend the Q&A Webinar on Thursday, March 14th from 12-1 pm Eastern Time.
