NFWF awards $8.8M to restore Great Lakes habitats across seven-state region

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has announced $8.8 million in grant funding to 26 projects across the Great Lakes basin to restore habitats, improve water quality, and expand public access to nature. The public-private grant program, delivered through the Sustain Our Great Lakes initiative, will leverage $11.7 million in additional matching contributions, bringing total conservation impact to $20.5 million. Projects span Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin, targeting wetland restoration, stream rehabilitation, invasive species control, and stormwater management. The effort aims to strengthen ecosystems, protect wildlife, and reinforce climate resilience across one of the world’s largest freshwater systems.