On Tuesday, May 9th, NEMWI hosted a briefing focused on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which plays a pivotal role in environmental and economic revitalization throughout the region. This webinar is part of NEMWI’s Great Lakes Primer and Orientation Program, supported by the Erb Family Foundation, which provides in-depth overviews of critical issues impacting the health of the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) has been a critical federal program in improving the environmental and ecological health of the Great Lakes while also growing the region’s economy. Since its inception in 2010, the GLRI has invested approximately $5 billion to support more than 6,850 projects that have accelerated efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. This multi-agency program has provided funding to 16 federal organizations to target the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem strategically and to accelerate progress toward achieving key long-term goals that include restoring critical habitat, improving water quality, eliminating harmful algal blooms, and preventing invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. This federal investment has provided long-term environmental and economic benefits for the Great Lakes states.
A recording of the session can be viewed here.