Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition

Healthcare. Gasoline. Electricity. Mortgage rates. Water bills. Up. Up. Up. Up. Up. The cost of basic goods and services – now a leading issue in the midterm elections – continues to rise and Americans are feeling pinched. Read Brett Walton's story at www.circleofblue.org #WaterAffordability…

A new study detected PFAS in Manoomin (wild rice) across the #GreatLakes region - while levels were low and unlikely to pose consumption risks, it highlights potential exposure pathways for harvesters and can help to inform tribal food sovereignty initiatives www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

NEMWI has updated its Great Lakes and Water Legislation Tracker to reflect updates over the past month. Visit the tracker here: www.nemw.org/federal-grea...

Need election information? See what's on your ballot and check your registration at www.vote411.org #GetOutTheVote

Data centers’ land needs are expected to triple in the next five years. ↗️ New demand from data centers can place additional pressure on the watersheds, groundwater supplies, and municipal systems that farmers and rural residents rely on. 🚰 📲 https://ow.ly/ynql50ZYzcm #AI #DataCenters #farmland

Check out The cost of AI data centers with Rachel Havrelock: How can we preserve fresh water? today.uic.edu/podcast/the-... #NoMoreSingleUseWater #AI #DataCenters #Chicago #GreatLakes

Sturgeon Fest released 1,500 baby sturgeon into the Maumee River to help restore historic populations. 1,200 visitors came to help with the restoration effort and learn about the fish Story by @michiganpublic.bsky.social: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/10/21/b...

Michigan lawmakers are the closest they’ve been in years to passing a statewide septic code that would increase inspections to guard against human fecal waste leaking into the state’s lakes, rivers and groundwater. Story by @circleofblue.bsky.social: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/10/14/m...

If you're mailing in your absentee ballot, do it today! #Vote2026

Staff at the research lab has been cut by more than a third. Scientists are worried about its capacity to foresee crises. Story by @michiganadvance.com: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/10/12/g...

Back in September, the EPA granted the removal of the Beach Closings Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) at the Maumee Area of Concern, moving the site closer to delisting. Read more about the Maumee AOC in our spotlight from earlier this year here: www.nemw.org/aoc-spotligh...

Last week the Bipartisan Affordability and American Jobs Act was introduced. The bill modifies the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act in an attempt to speed up energy permitting processes. Read more here: conta.cc/4j7uPC7

Michigan is the only state in the nation without a statewide septic code. After nearly 40 years of debate, lawmakers are closer than ever to changing that. SB 771 would require inspections of Michigan’s 1.3 million-plus septic systems every 10 years, as fecal bacteria shows up in 78% of the…

The Northeast-Midwest Institute held a virtual briefing on the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee’s (ICRCC) annual Invasive Carp Action Plan last week. If you missed it, view the recording here: register.gotowebinar.com/recording/50...

Registration for the 2026 GLOS Annual Meeting - November 10th, in Ann Arbor, MI - is now open! We hope you can join us! glos.org/news-events/... #greatlakes #greatlakesobservingsystem #GLOS20

Fishing is more than recreation! In Lakes Letter, IAGLR IDEA+ scholar Emma Rice explores how Great Lakes fishing supports food security, sovereignty, and community. Apply for the IDEA+ Research Scholarship by Nov. 1! Read Emma’s research in Lakes Letter: https://bit.ly/47elzF8

We're so excited to be up in Duluth for next year's Great Lakes Conference! We hope to have you join us in the Land of 10,000 Lakes 💦 #GreatLakes #Minnesota

"The threat of invasive carp is becoming increasingly urgent as they move closer to Lake Michigan. Without action, we will be dealing with irreversible damage to our waters, native fish and local economies." www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/09/30/g...

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Great Lakes Conference! These pictures are just a few of the many highlights, from field trips out on the water, energizing sessions, and a fun reception. We hope to see you next year in Duluth! #GreatLakes #Detroit

Thank you to all of our partners in the region who advocated for the GLRI's passage! And thank you to members of the Great Lakes delegation who moved this important legislation through, includ. leadership of @peters.senate.gov, Senator Moreno & Senator Husted www.healthylakes.org/latest-news/...

The piping plover has made a remarkable recovery in the Great Lakes region over the past 40 years. However, a memo released last week by the Trump Administration could disrupt this and change what it means to protect endangered species. Read more here: conta.cc/4y9gfP2

This Thursday October 1st, at 2:00 pm, the Northeast-Midwest Institute will host a briefing on the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee’s (ICRCC) annual Invasive Carp Action Plan. Register for the briefing here: attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/846...

Post a vampire that isn't Dracula (Great Lakes edition)

Last week, Freshwater Future staff attended the @healthylakes.org Healing Our Waters Conference in Detroit. We enjoyed reconnecting with many of our community partners, building new relationships, and learning about important Great Lakes issues! #GreatLakes #HealingOurWaters #Detroit #waterislife

Join a team of divers and scientists working to uncover what happens beneath the ice in the first part of a new documentary. And learn how specially treated trees could help slow the spread of spotted lanternflies. Watch the new episode MONDAY, 9/28 at 7:30p ET on Detroit PBS: youtu.be/8OuihpmYC2Q

The Northeast-Midwest Institute will host a briefing on the Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee’s (ICRCC) annual Invasive Carp Action Plan on Thursday, October 1st, at 2:00 pm. Register here attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/846...

Fish kills are not uncommon in the Great Lakes region. Recently, more than 24,000 fish were killed on Ohio’s Maumee River. www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/09/16/o...

Last week, we joined the @healthylakes.org to thank @durbin.senate.gov for his leadership in protecting the Great Lakes and to highlight the importance of continuing this work. We're committed to building on this progress to fight for a healthy Great Lakes for generations to come. 🌊

Online registration for the Great Lakes Conference ends TODAY at 5 PM Eastern! After that, registration will only be available onsite during the conference. Go to bit.ly/GLConference26 to get that registration in! #GreatLakes

Long before Trump’s tariff war and attempts to change the name of Lake Ontario, Canada and the U.S. made an agreement to clean up the most polluted sites on the Great Lakes. Just recently, Nipigon Bay became one of the success stories. Story by @thenarwhal.ca: www.greatlakesnow.org/2026/09/16/o...

The Great Lakes are one of the Midwest’s most valuable resources, and I take seriously the commitment to preserve its beauty and health. Today, I met with @healthylakes.org to discuss how we can protect our waters for future generations to enjoy.

Attending the Healing Our Waters Conference in Detroit this year? Join us on Fri Sept 25 for a panel on Sustainable Water Management Solutions in Data Center Development.

Online registration closes at 5 PM Eastern this Friday for the #GreatLakes Conference! Onsite registration will be available during the conference. We hope to see you there!

Efforts to address Lake Whitefish population crashes in the #GreatLakes are growing. We need more capacity and resources, but the ball is gaining momentum. Kudos to @kellyhouse.bsky.social & @bridgemi.com for staying on top of this. #fisheries #PureMichigan #whitefish bridgemi.com/michigan-env...

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment met last week to discuss legislation to reauthorize the Drinking Water SRF and protect ratepayers from data center water consumption More here: conta.cc/4xLviys

Though everyone knows about the Edmund Fitzgerald, there are way more shipwrecks than that in the Great Lakes! #GreatLakes #FunFact

Trump #EPA Stalled A Survey Of #PFAS In #Wastewater, Former EPA Officials Say Michael Phillis reports for @apnews.com apnews.com/article/trum...

US Forest Service Closing 23 Research Facilities Under Trump Cuts Matthew Brown reports for @apnews.com apnews.com/article/fore...

"The #GreatLakes should not become collateral damage in political games" Good news: the unexplained stop-work order on the Brandon Road barrier was lifted yesterday (Sep. 2) - important given recent finding of juvenile silver carp only 80 mi from Lake Michigan www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...

Help shape the future of IAGLR! We’re seeking members of the Great Lakes research community to serve on our Board of Directors. Bring your perspective, help guide the association, and make an impact. Nominations due Oct. 2: https://bit.ly/4gCFyCU

All the cool kids are part of the Coalition 😎 Learn more about our work and how to join at HealthyLakes.org/become-a-member #GreatLakes

The stop work order on Brandon Road has been lifted! Thank you to everyone across the region who spoke out in support of the construction, including Great Lakes Taskforce Co-Chairs, Rep. Bill Huizenga, @repmarcykaptur.bsky.social @debbiedingell.house.gov & Rep. Dave Joyce

NEW on “Paper Trail”: More likely than not, there are ”forever chemicals” in your blood. Here’s the thing: 3M knew that these chemicals had seeped into people’s blood for decades — and continued making them. We found out how they kept this secret. Listen to the full episode:

Lake Ontario was named centuries before the United States existed. President Trump just ordered it renamed "Lake America" anyway. The August 27 executive order directs federal agencies to rename Lake Ontario across all maps, documents, and communications — but researchers warn it could disrupt…

You've heard the warnings about harmful algae blooms: Don't go near the scum. It's dangerous to drink or touch. But what about to breathe? Scientists at U-Toledo and U-Mich race to learn more about the risk. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...

Did you know there's a sinkhole in Lake Huron that looks like Earth 2.5 billion years ago? We're presenting the first-ever livestreamed exploration of this underwater world on 9/16 at 11am ET with @hiddenbelow.bsky.social and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: www.greatlakesnow.org/hiddenbelow/