Great Lakes United works hard to educate the public about the major threats to the Great Lakes. These amazing waterbodies provide drinking water to over 40 million people and that means we need to be responsible with them. Our staff work on different campaigns aimed at protecting the waters of the Great Lakes. Click on the links below to read more about each of them.

Invasive Species

Invasive species pose a constant threat to the ecosystem of the Great Lakes. The most recent and high-profile example of an invasive species is the Asian carp, but other threats (like the sea lamprey, zebra mussel and round goby) also pose a serious challenge to the stability of the lakes. Invasive species destroy the native ecosystem by taking up resources that were previously used by native plants and animals. They are often introduced because the due to the need for shipping across bodies of water, we have interfered with the natural watershed barriers. Invasive species pose a great risk to the Great Lakes, but education, political action and new technology are all being used to limit their impact on the lakes. 

Toxics

Toxic pollution is one of the most widely known problems in the Great Lakes--unfortunately, it is also one of the least-understood. The technical and scientific jargon that comes up in discussions of the toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes is enough to send anyone away from this issue. We work to translate that jargon into meaningful language that anyone can understand. There is a big role for the public to play in ensuring our lakes stay free of toxic pollution (and in cleaning up the pollution of the past), and there are some very simple ways you can get involved. Visit the link above to find out more about how you can support actions that support a clean and healthy Great Lakes for all.

Navigation

Navigation is one area of work that often ties into the others. The movement of ships (and the transfer of water) often opens the door to invasive species. The goods that the ships haul can affect the toxic pollution of the lakes. The dredging of the rivers and lakes that make up the Great Lakes watershed can also affect the ecosystem of these precious waters. When the St. Lawrence Seaway was built, it opened the Great Lakes region up to the entire world. Unfortunately, it also opened the water up to environmental threats. 50 years later, Great Lakes United is working to promote sustainable shipping for the region. We respect the work of people who use the lakes for their business, but we also need to make sure the waters they ply get that same respect.