A new report built off of 82 interviews offers clues to advancing Great Lakes protections into the future

Research led by the University of Michigan has produced the first comprehensive study of the history, coordination and evolution of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Established in 2010, the GLRI is a cornerstone for Great Lakes protection and restoration. Overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, the program has supported nearly 9,000 projects that are either underway or completed in the Great Lakes region and yielded a $3 economic return for every dollar spent.

The GLRI is now due for reauthorization, making now a pivotal moment to reflect on its past to ensure its continued success, the research team said.

“This research matters because the past informs the future,” said Marc Gaden, an adviser on the project and an adjunct assistant professor at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability, or SEAS. He is also the executive secretary of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

“Understanding how the GLRI came to be is critical for shaping the future of the Great Lakes and other watersheds worldwide. As one of the most successful and bipartisan initiatives, the GLRI shows how collaboration, advocacy and investment can protect and restore vital freshwater resources that millions of people depend on.”

To glean vital insights from the GLRI’s history, the team conducted 82 interviews with Great Lakes leaders, including regional community members and elected officials, such as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

From those conversation, the team—which was led by SEAS graduate students—was able to identify key factors that have made the initiative so successful, including:

• Leveraging a strong culture and regional identity in the Great Lakes
• Laying important groundwork to overcome tough obstacles
• Building diverse coalition of allies
• Long-term planning and regularly convening stakeholders
• Developing clear and compelling messaging
• Capitalizing on political opportunities
• Coordinating across and within governments
• Applying lessons learned from the success of other initiatives

“While some of the lessons are unique to the Great Lakes, many are transferable to environmental efforts across the globe,” said Mike Shriberg, director of the U-M Water Center and a SEAS professor of practice and engagement. He was also an adviser on the project. “This work shows that strategic advocacy, coordination and persistence can drive real, lasting change.”

The research was guided by a steering committee of Great Lakes leaders and sponsored by the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

“Support for the GLRI has been overwhelmingly bipartisan, largely because the program produces tangible results for the environment, the economy and local communities,” said Joel Brammeier, president and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “That success is rooted in collaboration and a shared commitment to protecting the Great Lakes.”

And that collaboration and commitment goes beyond levels of government leadership. The team also stressed that engagement from Great Lakes residents has been key to the historical success of the program and will remain so for the future.

“Our historical analysis shows that Great Lakes restoration has always been driven by a deep love and appreciation for the lakes,” said Camryn Hurley, a member of the student research team. “When they’re threatened, people act. Leadership from decision-makers is essential, but so is continued support for the science, agencies and communities that sustain this work.”

Additional details and resources on the project can be found on its website.