2026 Great Lakes Coastal Symposium: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Mindful Moment

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:05am EDT

Banquet Hall

Speakers

Christine DeLoria

Tree Spirited Coaching LLC

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:05am EDT
Banquet Hall

General Session

9:05am EDT

Opening Remarks

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:05am - 9:10am EDT

Banquet Hall

Speakers

As the Lake Superior Unit Manager with Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources Office of Great Waters, Cherie Hagen collaborates with partners from federal, provincial, tribal, state and local governments, universities, and nongovernmental organizations to identify shared goals and actions to protect and restore the Lake Superior ecosystem and communities. She’s oversees implementation... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:05am - 9:10am EDT
Banquet Hall

General Session

9:10am EDT

Keynote: Connect the Dots, Catalyze the Culture: Lessons from Cuyahoga County’s Fresh Water Institute

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:10am - 9:55am EDT

Banquet Hall

Along the shores of our great Lake Erie or the banks of the crooked Cuyahoga River, you are bound to hear stories of how Cleveland’s waterways have powered industry, supported generations of workers, and sparked one of the nation’s most influential environmental movements. But not all of these stories are past tense. Today, these waterways are driving the region’s next chapter of environmental progress and economic growth. Cuyahoga County’s Fresh Water Institute has been at the center of those conversations over the past two years—convening diverse partners, collaborating on shared priorities, and catalyzing a culture of freshwater stewardship. During this presentation, we will highlight some of the most important lessons we’ve learned in building inclusive, cross-sector partnerships to achieve meaningful and measurable impact. As we explore these experiences together, we’ll reflect on both the simplicity and the complexity of connecting the dots that shape our shared freshwater future.

Speakers

Emily Bacha

Program Director, Fresh Water Institute

Emily Bacha is the Director of the Fresh Water Institute, a Cuyahoga County initiative that convenes regional water leaders to advance freshwater stewardship through collaborative education, economic development, and advocacy efforts. Previously, she led strategic communications and... Read More →

Wednesday October 28, 2026 9:10am - 9:55am EDT
Banquet Hall

General Session

2026 Great Lakes Coastal Symposium

9:00am EDT

Christine DeLoria

9:05am EDT

Cherie Hagen

9:10am EDT

Emily Bacha

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