Happy Holidays from Freshwater Future!
As we celebrate this season of giving and reflection, all of us at Freshwater Future want to extend our most sincere gratitude for your steadfast support and dedication to safeguarding our waters and communities in the Great Lakes region. Your belief in the importance of clean, safe water inspires us daily and powers the critical work we do. Your involvement—whether through donations, advocacy, or spreading the word—creates meaningful change in the Great Lakes region. Thank you for your trust, generosity, and commitment! We look forward to continuing to work together to build a brighter, healthier future for the Great Lakes region.
Win! Energy Permitting Reform Act Voted Down
The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 was voted down in the U.S. Senate. This bill would have sacrificed crucial environmental safeguards and limited community voices for the sake of corporate convenience. Check out Freshwater Future Executive Director Jill Ryan’s article in the Hill for more details. Over 800 of you have emailed and called your senators to say this legislation would be dangerous for our Great Lakes – and they heard you! We are so thankful for all of you who called, emailed, and shared the action, your advocacy made a difference.
Protect our Great Lakes and Communities with Your Year-End Gift
Now more than ever, Freshwater Future is dedicated to supporting the needs of our Great Lakes community. The challenges to our Great Lakes region are pressing, but when we stand together, we can make a lasting difference. Please consider your year-end gift to help safeguard the Great Lakes and support our communities. The Great Lakes region faces many threats: pollution, climate change, unaffordable water, and more. With your support and collective voice, we’re committed to working even harder for future victories. Your Year-End Gift is more important than ever! Every dollar you give will help make a lasting impact on the health of our water resources and communities that we depend on and love.
Start 2025 Off With Our Grant Writing Webinar and Mindfulness & Movement Sessions
Kick off 2025 with a commitment to gain expertise and self-care skills by registering for two upcoming events. The Grant Writing session will provide step-by-step tips on how to prepare a successful proposal. The Mindfulness & Movement session will provide a space for healing through trauma-informed mindfulness, led by our practitioner Jonathan Relucio.
- Water Watchers: Practical Grant Writing Tips on January 9, 2025, at 1 pm ET
- Mindfulness & Movement with Jonathan Relucio on January 30, 2025, at 11:30 am ET
December 29th Deadline: Take Action to Protect Michigan’s Wetlands from Potash Mining!
A Michigan potash mining operation has requested a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to impair or destroy 21 vital wetlands as a part of their proposed mining facility in Mecosta and Osceola counties. This project threatens vital Bullkill Creek and Muskegon River watersheds and the potash company plans to utilize nearly 3,000,000 gallons of freshwater per day in their mining operation. Their recent permit request now looks to expand their operations into vital wetlands and interconnected watersheds. EGLE is accepting public comments on this project till December 29, 2024. Use Freshwater Future’s simple form to take action now and submit a comment. Use your voice to demand that EGLE host a public hearing and share concerns for our wetlands and public health using this simple form!
Register: Join Us in Rochester, NY on March 27th, 2025, for All About Water
All About Water invites you to the 2025 Convening on March 27th, in Rochester, NY. Join us along with other grassroots and community organizations to learn, discuss, and connect over pressing water issues like replacing lead service lines and harmful algal blooms. Limited funds to assist with travel costs are available on a first come, first served basis – Don’t wait to sign up! Please share this with your colleagues, friends, and fellow water protectors who call the Great Lakes home. We can’t wait to see you there!
