Freshwater Future Fall Project Grants Deadline Today!
The deadline for Freshwater Future’s Fall Project Grants is midnight tonight-September 30th. This is a great time to apply for funds because we currently have more dollars available to support this program. If your community’s or organization’s advocacy efforts focus on protecting or improving drinking water, rivers, lakes, wetlands, shorelines, and groundwater in the Great Lakes region you may be eligible for these grant funds. Any questions regarding applications can be directed to laurie@freshwaterfuture.org, or alana@freshwaterfuture.org. To call, 231-348-8200. To view a recording of our Grants Q&A Webinar we hosted on August 24th, click here. Visit our grants portal to find out how to apply!
Need New Technology? Share Your Opinion and be Entered to Win Gift Cards
Want to be a part of the change in Freshwater Future initiatives to help communities protect water? Please share your opinions to guide Freshwater Future’s new Strategic Plan for the coming three years. These plans ensure we align our short and long-term goals strategically based on the needs of our members and partners. There are two ways to engage:
1. Take five minutes to provide your feedback by answering some quick questions here. Complete our survey to help us with planning and you will be entered into a drawing for $250 and $100 Visa gift cards. The survey closes on October 10th, so make sure to have your voice heard now!
2. Participate in Virtual Conversation:
Sign up for our October 5th Virtual Strategic Planning Conversation
Sign up for our October 6th Virtual Strategic Planning Conversation
Michigan Accepting Grant Applications to Address High Water Infrastructure
Michigan communities that need help with infrastructure and planning to address impacts of severe weather events such as flooding, coastline erosion, urban heat, and stormwater management may be eligible for a grant. The High Water Infrastructure Grant Program will provide infrastructure and planning grants that directly address these impacts and vulnerabilities. For more information on eligibility and application forms, visit the website.
Bigger Is NOT Always Better: The Impacts of Water System Regionalization
In August of this year, a water main break in the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) system caused a loss of pressure that had massive repercussions for the water safety of hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents. Ultimately, the water main break resulted in Governor Whitmer declaring a state of emergency for Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Claire counties to mobilize resources toward the repairs and affected families. On the morning of August 14th, nearly a million people woke to find they were under a boil water advisory. In subsequent days, the number of communities under this boil water advisory fell from 23 to 7, but water quality test results revealed new consequences. Lapeer and Imlay City, two communities that were affected by the main break and had to use back-up community water systems, were found to have pervasive lead contamination. In our blog post this week, we consider how regionalized systems like the GLWA come with both heightened risks and justice issues for their customers.
Making the Motor City a Solar City Event, Saturday, October 1
The first annual Making the Motor City a Solar City Tour 2022 is happening this Saturday from 10am-3pm, with virtual and in-person options to learn about solar power. Sponsored by the North End Woodward Community Coalition and Solar Neighbors, the event has interactive projects, and guided tours or you can take a self-guided tour. Registration required, click here to register and learn more.
