resources

The Governments of Canada and the United States are pleased to release the 2019 State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report, which provides an overview of the status and trends of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Overall, Great Lakes water quality is assessed as “fair and unchanging.” While progress to restore and protect the Great Lakes has occurred, including the reduction of toxic chemicals, challenges cited in the report include invasive species and excess nutrients that contribute to toxic and nuisance algae. 

The Lake Superior Partnership will use this 2015 LAMP over the course of the next five years as a guide to identify, prioritize, and implement actions to restore and protect the Lake Superior ecosystem.

The Lake Michigan Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) is intended to provide a status report on the health of the Lake Michigan ecosystem and a summary of the activities related to the Lake Michigan LaMP that have occurred during 2006-2008. Each chapter provides reports on current status, challenges, indicators, and next steps for a specific sub-goal area.

To guide the continuing efforts of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), federal agencies have drafted GLRI Action Plan II, which summarizes the actions that federal agencies plan to implement during FY15-19 using Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding. GLRI Action Plan II outlines the next phase of work on Great Lakes environmental problems and associated human health issues many of which will take decades to resolve.

The Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) is a binational action plan for restoring and protecting the Lake Erie ecosystem. The Lake Erie Partnership develops and implements the LAMP. U.S. EPA and Environment Canada lead the Partnership. This plan facilitates information sharing, sets priorities, and helps coordinate binational environmental protection and restoration activities.

This website provides consumers with the information and tools they need to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species commonly found in trade. Water gardeners, aquarium hobbyists, retailers, anglers, teachers, wholesalers, and more can use these resources to learn about invasive species and identify alternative organisms that are safe to buy and sell. Information on how invasions happen and easy-to-follow tips for managing and disposing of species also help visitors protect local waterways.

The purpose of these guidelines is to: provide a consistent, practical, and effective document to inform outreach efforts geared toward public recreationalists to prevent the spread of AIS; take into account the specific pathways, vectors, and life histories of all AIS, including fish, aquatic plants, invertebrates, and pathogens; and promote voluntary actions to support the national Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!™ campaign, as well as statewide efforts such as