We have deep expertise on the legislative and regulatory tools adopted in Canada and the United States as it pertains to water quality and water use. We are a formal observer of the Great Lakes Commission, the Binational Executive Committee, Policy Chair of the Great Lakes Nuisance Species Panel, official advisors to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and a Steering Committee member for the U.S. Healing Our Waters campaign and the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative. We are also environmental advisors to a host of panels and councils.

 

Great Lakes United draws upon a broad, binational network of partners and allies across the region. We are a diverse coalition of organizations and individuals, including citizens, environmentalists, conservationists, labour unions, First Nations, tribes, hunters, anglers, academics, and progressive businesses. Together, we develop forward-thinking policies and programs to protect the Great Lakes. Consistently, we see these positions reflected in regulations, laws, and best practices. The progressive positions that our coalition takes today often foreshadow the policies of tomorrow.

 

We have also worked extensively on public education and furthering the knowledge of public opinion on Great Lakes issues. We have developed education modules to teach Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River science through a hands-on approach. These modules are being expanded to work across the watershed and are available upon request. In addition, we have undertaken extensive public opinion research, identifying the values and pathways that individuals can be introduced to, and become promoters of, Great Lakes protection. We have worked with our allies to develop common values messaging to ensure consistent and clear communication.

 

Our campaign directors are respected, knowledgeable, and driven. Among our allies, government, industry and the public, we are routinely identified as the leading group on the Great Lakes and regularly consulted for advice and counsel.

 

We are a professional, dedicated, and nimble team capable of successfully running both a multi-year initiative and a focussed summer-long public outreach campaign.