The Great Lakes Protection Fund is pleased to announce $2,154,000 in support for project teams working to improve the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

At its December, 2012 meeting, the Board of Directors awarded three grants that further the Fund’s mission to identify, demonstrate, and promote regional action to enhance the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Vacant to Vibrant: Vacant Land as Green Infrastructure
A grant of up to $902,000 was awarded to a team (comprised of 24 organizations) led by the Cleveland Botanic Garden to establish a neighborhood-based network of vacant small-parcel green infrastructure projects in three Great Lakes cities with high vacancy rates. This project will test the effectiveness of aggregated small parcels as a viable green infrastructure strategy to manage stormwater.

This award furthers the Great Lakes Governors’ priority to control pollution from diffuse sources into water, land and air.

The Great Lakes Clean Communities Network
A grant of up to $690,000 was awarded to a team (comprised of 15 organizations) led by Michigan State University to create a regional, collaborative, network of practitioners for large-scale stormwater management that will be supported by a web-facilitated, interactive community.

This award furthers the Great Lakes Governors’ priority to control pollution from diffuse sources into water, land and air.

Improving Water Management in the Great Lakes Basin – Phase II
A grant of up to $562,000 was awarded to a team (comprised of 13 organizations) led by Great Lakes United to work with six communities in the U.S. and Canada to test the ecological and financial rationales impacts of water conservation and green infrastructure practices, and pilot how these techniques–when combined with effective knowledge transfer techniques–can drive better water management throughout the Great Lakes region.

This award furthers the Great Lakes Governors’ priority to ensure the sustainable use of our water resources while confirming that the States retain authority over water use and diversions of Great Lakes waters.

To read more about these awards and our active portfolio of projects, please visit the Funded Projects section of glpf.org.