Register to Join Us in Benton Harbor for the All About Water Convening on October 4th, 2023!
Freshwater Future invites you to join us for our Fall 2023 All About Water Convening! We will be in person for the first time since the pandemic and we are so excited for everyone to join us in Benton Harbor on October 4th. You won’t want to miss the incredible slate of presentations planned including: Community Successes on Water Issues, Utility Efficiencies and Cost Reductions, Regionalization, Consolidation, and Privatization, and much more! Register here to join us and view the agenda. We can’t wait to see you there!
Show Your Love for Lake Erie with #WeAreLakeErieDay, August 16, 2023
Join us in celebrating Lake Erie for #WeAreLakeErie day on August 16th! Despite being the smallest Great Lake, it is the most biologically diverse and twelve million of us live within the Lake Erie watershed – relying on its waters for drinking, fishing, and playing. While there is much to celebrate about Lake Erie, the lake also needs our help as it is plagued by harmful algal blooms. These blooms are caused by nutrient pollution, primarily from agricultural runoff. Lake Erie deserves our support and protection. Share your pictures, memories, and stories of Lake Erie with #WeAreLakeErie and create a wave of support for our littlest Great Lake. We will be sharing some of our favorite posts in the coming weeks!
Landmark Victory: Minnesota Supreme Court Overturns PolyMet Water Pollution Permit
In a watershed moment for environmental accountability, the Minnesota Supreme Court declared the approval of PolyMet’s water pollution permit by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) “arbitrary and capricious.” After a five-year legal battle, WaterLegacy and allies including the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa emerged victorious. The court’s decision reiterates the need for regulatory transparency and holds the MPCA responsible for upholding regulations. “This victory not only safeguards our environment but also underscores the potency of collective determination” remarked Paula Maccabee, Advocacy Director & Counsel for WaterLegacy. “We are incredibly grateful for Freshwater Future’s ongoing financial backing, which enabled us to navigate the complexities of this challenging case,” added Maccabee. We appreciate the hard work and commitment of WaterLegacy and all the partners to fight to protect waters from mining pollution.
Op-ed: Tell Legislators to Ensure Affordable Water for All Michiganders
Imagine the struggle of Michiganders who live everyday without water in their homes, unable to afford their water bills. Unfortunately, this is a reality, as over a third of the state’s residents are struggling to pay their water bills. Access to water is essential to individual and public health and a thriving economy. The Water Equals Life (WEL) Coalition, composed of water justice advocates including Freshwater Future, We the People of Detroit, and the National Wildlife Federation, have been working hard to influence a legislative package to ensure a statewide affordability program is created in Lansing. Some stakeholders continue to work hard to water down this program akin to an assistance program, therefore, the WEL Coalition founding members call on Senator Chang to stand with millions of Michiganders and make water affordable for everyone in their new opinion-editorial.
Freshwater Future Welcomes New Board Member: Bettina Marshall!
We would like to introduce you to another of our newest board members, Bettina Marshall! Based in Chicago, Bettina has made significant contributions to several non-profit organizations, including Alliance for the Great Lakes, playing a crucial role in their growth and development. Since November 2018, she has been an instrumental part of People’s Action Institute, establishing their human resources team. With extensive expertise in people and culture management, Bettina has been a driving force in implementing best practices and ensuring compliance in HR. She excels in employee relations, talent management, training, and performance management. She values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that all decisions are made with these principles in mind. Bettina holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management, along with a Human Resources Certificate from DePaul University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communications from Columbia College Chicago. We are so lucky to have her on the Freshwater Future board!
Need Funds for Water Work in Your Community? Apply to Freshwater Future’s Fall Project Grants!
Freshwater Future Fall Project Grants provide funding ranging from $500 to $5,000 (USD) for grassroots projects that promote water protection through advocacy efforts. Have a project that needs funding? Freshwater Future is here to help. Contact Laurie Breighner laurie@freshwaterfuture.org to check your eligibility, help with your application or to ask questions. Visit our website to see past grant projects and learn more about our grant programs at freshwaterfuture.org/grant-
