A Year in Review: Protecting the Great Lakes with People-Power!
Freshwater Future is honored to work alongside dedicated water protectors like you all across the Great Lakes region. Through your initiatives and support, we achieved many wins for our communities in 2024:
- We secured new and improved lead in drinking water protections for the United States;
- A mining company withdrew an expansion permit after hundreds of you spoke out with concerns of wetland destruction;
- Secured improvements in how drinking water infrastructure funds in Great Lakes states are awarded;
- Stopped the Energy Permitting Reform Act that sought to invest further in fossil fuels and jeopardize our Great Lakes with mining waste;
- We won a critical decision from Michigan’s Supreme Court to uphold the environmental agency’s ability to implement permits on factory farms;
- More than 50,000 people were informed about how to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.
These wins would not have been possible without you! Thank you for stepping up and speaking out for the people and waters of the Great Lakes – As we enter 2025, we will continue to bring you critical opportunities to take action – we hope you continue to help create wins!
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:
- Water Watchers & Wellness: 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
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. Register today for the Grant Writing event and the Mindfulness & Movement session.
Thank You! Your Year-End Gift Is At Work to Protect the Great Lakes
Thank you to everyone who donated to our year end fundraiser! Your gift, big or small, is already at work to fight for clean, safe, and affordable drinking water from source to tap.
Now more than ever, Freshwater Future is dedicated to supporting the needs of our Great Lakes community. From legacy pollution and climate change to lead in drinking water, challenges to our region are pressing, but when we stand together, we can make a lasting difference. It is not too late to give! Please consider your year-end gift to help safeguard the Great Lakes and support our communities. With your support and collective voice, we’re committed to working even harder for future victories. We look forward to another great year with you!
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!
Indigenous Circle of Experts to Advise International Joint Commission on Great Lakes Stewardship
The International Joint Commission (IJC) is working to uplift Indigenous stewardship of the Great Lakes by prioritizing collaboration with Indigenous Peoples in transboundary water governance. The Indigenous Circle of Experts, consisting of leaders from Indigenous Nations, Canada, and the U.S. will provide guidance on weaving Indigenous science, spirituality, and ceremony into IJC policies and practices. We applaud this step forward that values listening and learning from Indigenous perspectives to develop meaningful partnerships.
