This week marks national volunteer appreciation week, and on this Lakes Chat episode, we’re chatting about volunteering to help the Great Lakes. Guests included: Olivia Reda – the Alliance for the Great Lakes Volunteer Engagement Manager Eileen Ryan is a long-time Alliance Ambassador and an Adopt-a-Beach volunteer Novem Cheng, a volunteer with the …

We chatted with Andrea Densham, Senior Strategic Advisor to the Alliance for the Great Lakes, about plastic pollution and how we can stop it at the source.By Alliance for the Great Lakes

Temperatures this winter have been warmer than usual, leaving the Great Lakes nearly devoid of ice cover. In this episode, we chat with Physical Scientist James Kessler of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and dig into big-picture trends, and what this all means for the lakes.…

We’re discussing some new research on the cost of reducing runoff pollution from agricultural lands and preventing harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie with Tom Zimnicki, the Alliance’s Agriculture and Restoration Director.By Alliance for the Great Lakes

In a previously recorded webinar, Alliance policy staff discussed their top 5 federal Great Lakes policy priorities They focus on stopping invasive species, fixing our failing water infrastructure, stopping plastic pollution, preventing harmful algal blooms, and ensuring funding for Great Lakes restoration. During the webinar, our panel answered se…

In late January, our policy team here at the Alliance for the Great Lakes released their top 5 Great Lakes policy priorities for the new Congress and the Biden administration. Our policy team focused on stopping invasive species, fixing our failing water infrastructure, stopping plastic pollution, preventing harmful algal blooms, and ensuring fundi…

In this episode, we chat with Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s CEO, and Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director for Federal Government Relations, about what the results of the midterm elections mean for the Great Lakes. *Note: We recorded this conversation at midday on Monday, November 14. Therefore, information may well have changed by the time you list…

In this episode, we chatted with two experts: Fred Stonehouse, a maritime historian, author, and lecturer, and Carl Lindquist, founder and executive director of the Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy. Lindquist and Stonehouse discuss the history of the Stannard Rock Lighthouse in Lake Superior and the future of the lighthouse as a …

In this episode, we chatted with Drew Youngedyke a native Michigander with a deep love for the lakes, and a volunteer with the Northern Michigan Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. In his day job, Drew is Director of Conservation Partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center. Youngedyke talked about Great Lakes surf…

In this episode, we chatted with Joel Brammeier, Alliance President & CEO, about the big picture of Great Lakes health, how Great Lakes protection has evolved, and where the clean water movement needs to go from here.By Alliance for the Great Lakes

REPLAY: In this episode, we chatted with Ramiro Berardo, an associate professor of environmental policy at Ohio State University. He’s written, directed, and produced a new documentary titled “…And Water For All,” which premiered on World Water Day in late March. The documentary takes on the issue of water affordability in Ohio but has lessons for …

An important conversation with two Alliance staffers – Molly Flanagan, our Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Policy, and Jennifer Lumpkin, our Cleveland Local Partnerships Manager about what the midterms mean for the Great Lakes, why it's important for water issues to be a part of election season conversations, and how you can get invo…

A timely chat about our big day of action for the Great Lakes – September Adopt-a-Beach – which was held earlier this month. We also discussed more broadly about beach cleanups, plastic pollution, and volunteerism around the Great Lakes region.By Alliance for the Great Lakes

Crystal M.C. Davis, our VP of Policy and Strategic Engagement, and Tom Zimnicki, Director of Agriculture and Restoration Policy, chat about algal blooms in western Lake Erie, what they are and how they directly impact the local economy.By Alliance for the Great Lakes

An eye-opening conversation with LimnoTech Principal and Senior Engineer Ed Verhamme on the importance of buoys and how they help daily to protect drinking water, have safe boating experiences, and more. Resources How Buoys Help Two Yellow BuoysBy Alliance for the Great Lakes

In today's episode, we’re chatting with Dr. Sherri Mason, a leading expert on plastic pollution. Her award-winning work has drawn international attention to the threat of microplastics in our waters and led to the passage of national legislation banning microbeads. She serves as Director of Sustainability at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.…

In today's episode, we’re talking with Alex Novak, the Alliance’s Community Planning Manager based in Detroit. We're chatting with Alex about green infrastructure – what it is, and how it can help improve our Great Lakes communities.By Alliance for the Great Lakes

In today's episode, we’re talking again with Joel Brammeier, Alliance President & CEO. Today we’re talking climate change and the Great Lakes. Our region is frequently referred to as a ‘climate haven’ - an anticipated area of migration as people around the country may move in large numbers as the impacts of climate change are felt. But, the Great L…

In today's episode, we’re reconnecting with Anna-Lisa Castle, the Alliance’s Clean Water, and Equity Policy Director. We spoke with Anna-Lisa earlier this season about the big problems facing water and wastewater infrastructure around the Great Lakes region. In this conversation, we’ll be digging into the problem of toxic lead pipes that carry wate…

In today's episode, we’re talking with Tom Zimnicki, the Alliance’s Agriculture and Restoration Policy Director. We’ll talk with Tom about harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes, the role agricultural pollution plays in causing those blooms and get his thoughts on how to tackle this challenging problem.…

In today's episode, we’re talking with Oscar Sanchez, the Community Planning Manager at Southeast Environmental Task Force, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to serving Chicago's southeast side and south suburbs. We’ll talk with Oscar about the community’s recent big win to stop General Iron, a major industrial facility proposed for the communit…

In today's episode, we’re talking with Ramiro Berardo, an associate professor of environmental policy at Ohio State University. He’s written, directed, and produced a new documentary titled “…And Water For All” which premiered on World Water Day in late March. The documentary takes on the issue of water affordability in Ohio, but has lessons for th…

In today's episode, we’re talking with Juliann Krupa, the Alliance’s Volunteer Engagement Manager. We’ll be talking about our upcoming Adopt-a-Beach Spring Kickoff and the problem of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes.By Alliance for the Great Lakes

In today's episode, we’re talking with Anna-Lisa Castle, the Alliance’s Clean Water & Equity Program Director. We’ll be talking about water infrastructure and what needs to happen to be sure everyone around the Great Lakes region has access to safe, affordable drinking water. Resources BLOG- Illinois shows leadership for lead-free drinking water; f…

In today's episode, we’re talking with Molly Flanagan, the Alliance’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs, to get an update on invasive species in the Great Lakes. We’ll be talking about invasive carp, the status of efforts to regulate ballast water which is a main pathway for invasive species into the lakes, and the latest from …

In today's episode, we’re talking with Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director of Federal Relations, to get an update on what’s happening on Great Lakes policy in Washington, DC. Our conversation focused on the big picture of Great Lakes policy in Washington DC but current events may well come up so please remember that things may have changed by the t…

We'll explore the history of black farming, the connection to land and water, and thoughts on the future of black environmentalism. Speakers include: Dr. Kevin McGruder, Associate Professor of History at Antioch College Mr. Tim Lewis, Founding Partner & Outreach Director at Rid-All Green Partnership in Cleveland, Ohio Website: http://www.greennghet…

In today's episode, we're talking about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – the GLRI – one of the cornerstone federal programs aimed at restoring and protecting the lakes. Our guest today is Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes President & CEO.By Alliance for the Great Lakes

2021 was a good year for the Great Lakes in Washington, DC. But the lakes face no shortage of problems, and there is still much more work to do. We’ll discuss our top Great Lakes priorities for lawmakers in Washington, DC, and dig into the opportunities and challenges facing our agenda in the year ahead. I’ll be joined by other Alliance for the Gre…

Welcome to Lakes Chat! Every Tuesday, we'll chat with a special guest about Great Lakes issues ranging from infrastructure to water levels – and what it all means for you and your community.By Alliance for the Great Lakes