National Wildlife Federation: Great Lakes Restoration - Great Lakes Natural Resource Center

Great Lakes Regional Center

Great Lakes Restoration

The National Wildlife Federation, as co-chair of the Healing Our Waters® - Great Lakes Coalition, is leading a national campaign to urge Congress and the President to enact a comprehensive restoration plan that will modernize sewage treatment, clean-up polluted harbors, restore wetlands, and prevent unwanted, new species from invading the lakes. We must act now to restore the lakes and safeguard our Great Lakes way of life.

Immediate Invasive Species Threat

Right now, Asian carp are in the Des Plaines River directly beside a Chicago canal that leads straight into Lake Michigan. A barrier must be built immediately between the two waterways before the next big rain.

Contact the Corps of Engineers

If you live in Illinois, you can also contact the IL Dept. of Natural Resources

Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives

The National Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association and over 85 additional orgaizations are working together in a campaign to restore the Great Lakes. Visit HealthyLakes.org to learn more.

Protecting Wetlands
Over half of the wetlands in the Great Lakes region are gone. How well are states protecting the vital wetlands that remain? A new report details how Great Lakes states are protecting and restoring their wetlands.
Read more.

Good News for the Great Lakes Less Sewage, More Jobs
The Great Lakes will benefit from investment in upgrading failing wastewater infrastructure that spews billions of gallons of sewage into the Lakes every year. Fixing the problem will benefit wildlife and create tens of thousands of new jobs.
Read more

Election of Barack Obama Holds Promise for Great Lakes
President-elect Obama championed the restoration of the Great Lakes during his tenure as a senator from a Great Lakes state and proposed a restoration plan to address the serious threats to the Great Lakes during his campaign for the White House. Read more

Legacy Act to Clean-Up Harbors Passes With Low Funds
The Great Lakes Legacy Act funds the clean-up of toxic harbors around the Great Lakes. Toxic sediment pollution is the largest major source of contaminants to the Great Lakes food chain, and are responsible for the impairment of over 2,000 miles of shoreline. Despite the strong support of many in Congress, an important funding increase was not included. Learn more

Comments on Proposed EPA Ballast Water Permit Released
The National Wildlife Federation and partners are urging the EPA to strengthen the proposed permit regulating ballast water. The Great Lakes will remain vulneratble to invasive species if a weak EPA permit goes into affect.
View the comments (8-1-08)
Press Release (8-5-08)

Restoration Key to the Great Lakes' Future
A new report by the Great Lakes Natural Resources Center synthesizes current climate change science and presents the likely impacts warming temperatures will have on the lakes, including lower lake levels, more sewage overflows, and increased pressure to divert Great Lakes water.
Press release
Full Report

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