The mission of Sustain Our Great Lakes (SOGL) is to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife, and habitat in the Great Lakes basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. Administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the program receives funding and other support from ArcelorMittal, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service. A significant portion of program funding is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), a federal program designed to protect, restore and enhance the Great Lakes ecosystem.
The program achieves its mission, in part, by awarding competitive grants for on-the-ground habitat restoration. Funding priority is given to projects that restore aquatic connectivity, stream and riparian habitat, wetland habitat, and coastal habitat. Sustain Our Great Lakes offers funding annually. Eligible recipients include non-profit organizations, state, tribal and local governments, and educational institutions.