Great Lakes Protection Fund

New Investment: $160,000 to the Dairy Grazing Alliance to develop a “Grass-Fed Dairy Standard.” This initiative will tackle certification barriers, expanding managed grazing in the Great Lakes Basin to improve water quality, soil health, and the sustainability of dairy operations.

Rania Bashar, PhD, PE represented Moonshot Missions last month as part of a panel on “Technical Assistance Resources for Municipalities” at the Wisconsin Government Affairs Seminar. Her presentation addressed Moonshot’s mission and method, its measures of success, and the regional impact the team has had, particularly in Oconto, WI. With constrained resources, infrastructure challenges, and increasing climate impacts, communities like Oconto are seeking technical support to build resilience. Rania shared strategies for leveraging risk assessment tools and funding opportunities to help them adapt and strengthen their systems. Rania also introduced our Great Lakes PRESERVE, a peer-to-peer network that is designed to help utilities collaborate, share best practices, and work through common challenges together. A huge thank you to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the opportunity to engage in this important conversation. Great work, Rania! To find out more about Moonshot’s work in the Great Lakes, funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF) and our PRESERVE community, visit: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gM86Pe6i If your community is in need of assistance, get in touch today: 📧 info@moonshotmissions.org Support Moonshot’s Mission: 🤝 https://lnkd.in/gvSNmNRW #Water #Wastewater #Utility #CleanWaterForAll #Wisconsin #Seminar #GreatLakes

Innovation drives sustainable solutions! We’re funding projects that protect our water resources while respecting state leadership in managing Great Lakes waters. If you have an idea that strengthens water sustainability and stewardship, submit it for consideration. Together, we can safeguard our water for future generations. https://lnkd.in/eB_aWxbg

20% of the world’s freshwater is in the Great Lakes—enough to cover the continental U.S. in nearly 10 feet of water. Protecting this resource takes collaboration, and we’re proud to support organizations driving real solutions. From improving water quality to restoring ecosystems, their work is making a lasting impact. On World Water Day, we celebrate their dedication to the Great Lakes and our shared future.

Stay connected to the latest Great Lakes innovations! Our quarterly newsletter brings you groundbreaking projects, smart solutions, and collaborative efforts protecting our waters. Don’t miss out on the stories shaping the future of the Great Lakes—subscribe today. https://lnkd.in/gkJ8ghDf

Healthy Port Futures is pushing the boundaries of coastal management in the Great Lakes region by working with waves instead of against them. The team’s landscape design utilizes natural hydrologic processes to redistribute sediment and wave energy to preserve shorelines, increase resiliency, improve ecosystems, and make fewer dollars go farther. Read our new blog to learn about two pilot sites in New York and Illinois that have redefined sediment management. The team’s outside-the-box thinking will make it easier for other Great Lakes coastal communities to preserve coastlines more efficiently and effectively. https://lnkd.in/gPXjCSc2

Healthy waters and thriving working lands go hand in hand. We’re looking for bold ideas that use market-driven solutions to reduce pollution, restore waterways, and build economic benefits across the food and fiber value chain. Have an idea that could drive real change? Let’s start a conversation! https://lnkd.in/eB_aWxbg

How can AI help tackle Great Lakes challenges? On March 4th, GLPF’s Executive Director Dave Rankin will moderate the Great Lakes Commission’s discussion on Artificial Intelligence Applications for the Great Lakes Region. Panelists will discuss how AI unlocks powerful benefits in areas such as optimizing marine shipping, enhancing benthic mapping, advancing stormwater management, and growing opportunities for research collaboration. https://lnkd.in/eyai9XC

It's National Invasive Species Awareness Week! We’d like to highlight a team led by Penn State developing early detection of aquatic invasive species (AIS) using eDNA methods that are both economical and practical. Rapid, affordable tools help resource managers detect threats early to ensure biodiversity and resiliency in the Great Lakes. Learn more about this project in our portfolio. https://lnkd.in/d-bcQZM8

New Investment! GLPF awarded $1.3M to Hyfi , LLC to co-develop an AI-powered Digital Operator Toolbox with stormwater teams across the Great Lakes region. By shifting stormwater management from reactive to proactive, this project will reduce runoff, prevent overflows, and empower operators with real-time, predictive tools. https://lnkd.in/g7MxNy2M