LAST CHANCE: Urge the U.S. EPA to Protect Families from Lead in Drinking Water by February 5th!
Don’t miss your chance to speak out–Monday, February 5th is the last day to provide comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft Lead and Copper Rule, which regulates how water utilities test for, respond to, and prevent lead in drinking water. It is time to “Get the Lead Out” of our drinking water. The more comments the EPA receives that applaud the positive changes in the proposed rule and recommend strengthening other requirements, the better. Freshwater Future has a simple form to send comments urging the U.S. EPA to have the strongest possible Lead and Copper Rule. Submit comments by February 5th and share far and wide!
Happy World Wetlands Day! Celebrating the Great Lakes Wetlands
Happy Friday and World Wetlands Day everyone! This day recognizes our all-important wetlands across the globe, but of course we want to celebrate the unique wetlands of the Great Lakes! From marshes and bogs to swamps and fens, wetlands enhance water quality (they are sometimes called “earth’s kidneys”) but also control erosion, store carbon, and provide a home to at least one-third of all threatened and endangered species! Over the past year, we have shared that wetlands across the U.S. are under threat after the Supreme Court has removed protections for many of the nation’s wetlands – So show our precious freshwater ecosystems some love today and visit a wetland near you or get involved in protecting your local wetlands!
Meet One of our Fall 2023 Grantees: WaterLegacy
In the spring and fall of each year, Freshwater Future awards project grants to grassroots organizations advocating on water issues in Great Lakes communities. This fall, we are grateful to support WaterLegacy as they inform critical science to protect the St. Louis River Watershed from contaminants. WaterLegacy is an award-winning grassroots non-profit formed to counter the threat of sulfide mining proposed for Northern Minnesota. WaterLegacy uses science, law, and organizing to ensure that sulfide mining does not destroy water quality and wild rice, increase mercury contamination of fish, and impair human health or tribal resources, particularly in the Lake Superior Basin. With their project grant, they are ensuring that a water quality study of the St. Louis River properly accounts for sulfate and mercury contamination of fish. This work is done in partnership with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Good Coffee Starts with Clean Water – Buy a Lead Water Testing Kit and Get a Free Bag of Coffee from Superior Coffee Roasting Co.
Delicious coffee starts with clean water. Superior Coffee Roasting Co. in collaboration with Freshwater Future and the Flint Community Lab, is offering a lead water testing kit for $40 with the bonus of receiving a complimentary 12oz. bag of coffee. If you’ve never had your home’s tap water tested for lead, now is the perfect opportunity to take action! You can purchase the kit through Superior Coffee Roasting Co. The kit includes testing supplies, instructions, and a box with free return shipping to the Flint Community Lab where your water sample will be tested for lead. After analysis, you will receive a report from the Flint Community Lab. Take advantage of this great deal to indulge in the pleasure of a great cup of coffee from Superior Coffee Roasting Co. and gain information about lead in your drinking water. To purchase a kit, click HERE now!
Climate Innovation Town Hall Featuring Freshwater Future February 13th!
Join Great Lakes Now for a PBS Climate Innovation Town Hall focused on climate solutions, resilience, and innovation on February 13th at 7 pm Eastern Time! The town hall will feature excerpts from the documentary, “Ted Explores: A New Climate Vision,” and a panel of researchers, journalists, and advocates at the frontlines of addressing the climate crisis with rigor and imagination. Associate Director of Freshwater Future, Ann Baughman, will present on our climate work with our many grassroots partners! Find more information here.
