Our Subnetworks
Learn more about our subnetworks below and find out how to join!
Lake Superior Sulfide Mining
The Lake Superior Sulfide Mining subnetwork focuses on the many metallic mining proposals throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario by sharing information, coordinating advocacy efforts, and identifying policy needs. Members of the subnetwork generated robust civic engagement during the funding and permit processes for such mines.
Road Salt
The Road Salt subnetwork focuses on getting both the U.S. and Canadian governments to implement road salt policies to reduce impacts on freshwater resources. The subnetwork is making steady progress to address chloride pollution through local resolutions.
Lake Erie/HABs
The Lake Erie and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) subnetwork is a group of organizations committed to working together to restore the health of Lake Erie so that it provides safe drinking water, quality recreational opportunities, and supports vibrant communities and sustainable economies.
Talking Rivers
Our mission is to weave together natural and human communities, advocating for the Rights of Rivers and their Ecosystems. Through art, storytelling, citizen science and conversation we strive to educate the North Country community about the "Roles and Responsibilities" we have towards the other-than-human world.
Fish Health
Launched in 2017, the Great Lakes Fish Health Network works share information about environmental issues impacting the health of fish in the Great Lakes Basin and raise awareness of fish health impacts on ecosystems, humans and their communities.
Lake Simcoe
The Lake Simcoe subnetwork includes 26-member groups working to protect Lake Simcoe and improve the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, primarily focused on reducing phosphorus loads to the lake.
Lead
The subnetwork is engaging partners to develop a set of must-have principles to equitably replace lead service lines at the local level.
Water Affordability
The Affordability subnetwork has made substantial strides through collaboration on water quality, water equity, and urban water infrastructure by bringing together groups working in several cities and states including Chicago, Illinois; Flint, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Jackson, Michigan; Troy, Rochester, NY; and Toledo, Ohio.
Toxics Free Great Lakes
The Toxics Free Great Lakes Binational subnetwork continues to engage on toxic chemical issues in the region, largely through activities under Annex 3 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The Toxics Free subnetwork tracks the screening process developed by Canada and the U.S. to designate Chemicals of Mutual Concern (CMC). Recently, they focused on getting microplastics added to the list of CMC to reduce the amount of microplastics entering the basin.
Land Use Planning and Watershed Management
This subnetwork will use a whole-of-the-watershed approach to identify and advocate for reductions in the negative impacts of land use planning on the Basin and its Waters.
Great Lakes Ecoregion Network
The Great Lakes Ecoregion Network subnetwork’s (GLEN) focus last year was on climate change and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Review. They created a Great Lakes Regional Climate Response Framework, promoting cooperation and a shared vision across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, focusing on developing a healthy and resilient Great Lakes system.
Line 5
The Line 5 Pipeline/Tunnel subnetwork is collaborating on strategies to address the threats from the 71-year-old pipeline that runs under the Straits of Mackinac and a proposed tunnel to house the pipeline. The subnetwork continues to track the ongoing legal process (in US Courts) and communicate the urgency around the high likelihood of Line 5 pipeline failure and spills