News and Updates

GLRI Funding Used to Support $1.2 Million in Grants to Restore Chicago and Calumet Waterways

The grants, awarded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chi-Cal Rivers Fund, will enhance habitat and improve water quality throughout the region. The grants will also generate $1 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $2.2 million.

May 7, 2026

EPA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity to Support the Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll-a Components of the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program

The EPA Great Lakes National Program Office has issued a notice of funding opportunity to assess Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem conditions through phytoplankton sampling and analysis. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2026.

May 5, 2026

EPA Announces Notice of Funding Opportunity to Support the Zooplankton, Mysis, and Benthic Invertebrate Components of the Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program

The EPA Great Lakes National Program Office has issued a notice of funding opportunity to assess Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem conditions through phytoplankton, Mysis, and benthic invertebrate sampling and analysis. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2026.

May 5, 2026

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Issues a Request for Proposals to Improve Habitat and Water Quality in the Great Lakes Basin

The Sustain Our Great Lakes Program is seeking proposals to improve and enhance: stream and riparian habitat to benefit species and improve water quality, nature-based infrastructure in Great Lakes Communities, and invasive species control. Significant program funding is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

May 1, 2026

GLRI Funding Supports $8.8 Million in Grants to Revitalize Great Lakes Habitats and Communities

The grants, awarded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Sustain Our Great Lakes program, will support 26 projects throughout the basin to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife and habitat, improve water quality and enhance natural areas for communities.

April 23, 2026

EPA’s Research Vessel Lake Guardian Begins Annual Sampling of Great Lakes

On April 4, 2026, the R/V Lake Guardian began its annual Spring Water Quality Survey. During the month-long survey, scientists will collect water and aquatic life samples from all five Great Lakes to assess the health of the lakes.

April 8, 2026

Targeted Sediment Reduction to North Fish Creek and Chequamegon Bay

Five Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funded projects have been implemented in the Chequamegon Bay region of Wisconsin to improve fish habitat and reduce sediment loading to Lake Superior. Since the work began in 2018, partners have restored 5,600 feet of stream channel and prevented 10,600 tons of sediment runoff per year.

April 3, 2026

EPA Resumes Contaminated Sediment Cleanup in Detroit’s Lower Rouge River Old Channel

On March 30, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency resumed dredging contaminated sediment from the Lower Rouge River Old Channel in Detroit, Michigan. More than 100,000 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with coal tar and petroleum products will be remediated.

April 2, 2026

GLRI Project Treats Stormwater Runoff While Protecting Lake Trout in Duluth, Minnesota

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is supporting a partnership between St. Louis County, the City of Duluth and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement green infrastructure practices at Hartley Park to protect water quality in Tischer Creek.

April 1, 2026

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Announces $1.6 Million in Grants Available to Support Restoration Projects

The newly launched Western New York Great Lakes Restoration Grant Program is seeking applications for community projects to address invasive species, reduce stormwater runoff, or restore habitat. Funding for the program is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

March 31, 2026