Great Lakes

As the largest body of freshwater on the planet, the Great Lakes deserve special attention as we think about the needs of future generations.

Fortunately, Great Lakes states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio have more river and watershed protection groups per capita than most other parts of the U.S. They also benefit from strong regional and statewide organizations – Freshwater Future, River Alliance of Wisconsin and Ohio Environmental Council – with which we coordinate closely.

River Network’s goal is to make watershed groups in the Great Lakes region more effective by providing direct one-on-one training and facilitation services that include staff and board training, strategic planning, fund raising planning, and coaching. We work with each group to identify their highest training needs through our on-line survey and phone calls. We then match those groups with the appropriate River Network training and support services. Each group receives ten or more hours of training or consulting help.

For an example of how this type of assistance can help an organization become stronger in even just a few years, be sure to read about the growth of the Bad River Watershed Association in Wisconsin.

Many thanks to the Charles S. Mott Foundation, the Park Foundation, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the U.S. EPA for helping to make this work possible!