Freshwater Future Weekly: January 20, 2023

This Week: More Funds Available for Spring Grants– Is Your Organization Eligible?; There’s Still Time to Register for Self-Care + Leadership at Water Watchers & Wellness; Passing the Torch and Preserving the Flame Ritual Seeking Nominations; Lack of Ice Over Great Lakes Causes Concern

More Funds Available for Spring Grants– Is Your Organization Eligible?

Freshwater Future has funds available to support our Spring Grants cycle! We award grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 (USD) for grassroots projects that promote water protection. Join us for a Q&A Webinar on Freshwater Future’s grant programs on February 8th at Noon, ET to learn more about how to apply to support your water work. Register for the webinar here.  Visit our website grant portal to learn more or contact Laurie Breighner at laurie@freshwaterfuture.org, or 231-348-8200, ext.1.  

There’s Still Time to Register for Self-Care + Leadership at Water Watchers & Wellness

Looking to gain leadership and self-care skills in the new year? Our Water Watchers & Wellness series kicks off in 2023 with 1-hour sessions per month aimed at providing a space for water leaders to grow know-how that supports your work and meet others working on water issues. Another highlight of these sessions is time for mindful meditation and self-care with movement. See the flier below for more details and register here

Passing the Torch and Preserving the Flame Ritual Seeking Nominations! 

Access to affordable, clean drinking water is one of the priority issues of Wisdom Institute, an African American woman and girl-focused nonprofit in Detroit. Their Passing the Torch Preserving the Flame project focuses on actualizing a water affordability plan in Detroit and building the foundation for a reimagined Detroit Human Rights Department. One part of the project is a celebration and ritual (planned for September 2023) that incorporates artmaking, dance and storytelling. This year Wisdom Institute is seeking nominations of Torch Bearers to be recognized  in their Passing the Torch Preserving the Flame Ritual and Celebration. Torch Bearers are proven leaders, activists, and advocates who work in Detroit to actualize Healing Justice and Gender Justice. Nominations are being accepted through March 2023 and selections will be announced in May 2023. Find out more on eligibility and how to apply here!  Freshwater Future, as a part of our Voice Builder Program, helped create the web page and form for their Passing the Torch and Preserving the Flame Nominations. We applaud Wisdom Institute’s work to make water a human right in Detroit.

Lack of Ice Over Great Lakes Causes Concern

The new year is bringing with it lower than average ice coverage across all the Great Lakes. According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) data, all five Great Lakes are near record low ice coverage.  Low ice coverage results in increased evaporation which influences lake levels.