Increasing Capacity of Northern Michigan Environmental Groups
Northern Michigan (Northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula) contains some of the state’s most pristine and sensitive water resources – cold water trout streams, untouched Great Lakes shorelines, and high-quality inland lakes. Because critical decisions that impact water are made at the local level, community engagement in water decision making is extremely important. Without community-level structures able to engage with permitting and planning processes, degradation of water quality and environmental injustices can be created. With this grant, Freshwater Future will provide consulting and capacity building support to northern Michigan environmental groups to ensure that the capacity exists for sustained engagement and that strong, high-capacity organizations are working to ensure Great Lakes water issues are being addressed.