Across the Great Lakes, we know that our most important coastal conservation challenges cannot be addressed by a single organization, agency, or discipline. Success increasingly depends upon partnerships and collaborations that bring diverse people together around a shared purpose. In fact, that is what spurred the birth and growth of the Great Lakes Coastal Assembly! Yet we often overlook an important reality: partnerships and collaborations are living systems too. Like the ecosystems we seek to conserve, these systems require intentional care, adaptability, resilience, and renewal. They are shaped by the relationships, trust, courage, and commitment of the individuals within them. As conservation challenges become increasingly complex, what might it mean to steward our partnerships as intentionally as we steward the landscapes and waters we care about? Drawing on reflections from more than three decades of conservation practice and partnership-building in the Great Lakes region, this session invites participants to consider the human side of collaboration through a brief reflective exercise and a new lens for thinking about partnerships. Participants will leave with a fresh perspective on partnerships as living systems and a practical question to carry with them into their own work.
Communities throughout Northeast Ohio are experiencing extreme weather evens such as extreme heat, cold, and flooding as a direct result in changes in our weather and climate. However, underserved communities are often the most impact, unprepared, and disconnected from resilience and emergency planning and resources. Our presentation will explore how the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition created a community-centered participatory model that focuses on engaging community anchors and leaders (i.e. faith leaders, grassroots, and community based organizations). By using intentional and consistent outreach, engagement, and capacity building methods, we are strengthening resilience and emergency preparedness in communities of concern in a multi-county initiative.
The Willow Creek Watershed in Lorain County, Ohio has become the focus of a coordinated effort to restore stream, wetland, and floodplain function while improving watershed resilience within a Lake Erie tributary system. Among these initiatives, the Gerber Stream and Wetland Restoration Project serves as a key implementation effort demonstrating how watershed-scale visioning, strategic partnerships, and coordinated funding can advance multi-benefit restoration. This presentation will examine how multiple restoration opportunities within the Willow Creek Watershed have been evaluated and prioritized to address hydrologic alteration, floodplain disconnection, water quality impairment, habitat degradation, and aging drainage infrastructure. Particular focus will be placed on the Gerber Stream and Wetland Restoration Project as a case study in moving restoration from conceptual planning toward implementation. This session will discuss how partnerships among local agencies, watershed stakeholders, funding entities, and technical consultants helped align restoration goals across the broader watershed for a $4.3 million restoration project. Lessons learned will highlight practical approaches for advancing watershed-scale restoration in Great Lakes tributary systems where ecological function, community priorities, infrastructure constraints, and long-term resilience objectives must be balanced simultaneously.
New York’s Great Lakes Action Agenda (GLAA) is a strategic, ecosystem-based action plan to guide restoration and conservation, and foster sustainable, resilient communities in New York's Great Lakes region. Implementation of the GLAA is coordinated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Great Lakes Program and requires collaboration with a diverse network of local, state, federal, Indigenous, and international partners. The Great Lakes Program supports partnerships by convening stakeholder work groups, which meet twice per year in each of NY’s four sub-basins to collaborate and implement GLAA actions. Work group interests are documented in sub-basin toolkits, which provide a framework for partners to coordinate local actions that advance the GLAA at the local level while also aligning federal (GLRI) and binational (LAMP) planning efforts. This collaborative approach has led to numerous partnerships that support work along New York’s Great Lakes coastal watersheds and ecosystems. The presentation will highlight case studies such as work to identify and restore lake trout habitat, monitor Cladophora along Great Lakes and connecting river channel shorelines, and foster place-based stewardship initiatives.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Great Lakes Program in Partnership with the New York State Water Resources Institute at Cornell University
Despite decades of ecological research, implementing effective marshbird conservation remains limited by barriers in translating science into management. The Midwest Marshbird Partnership, with the Upper Mississippi Great Lakes Joint Venture, developed a conservation framework to directly address this science-to-management gap. The framework establishes four hierarchical goals designed to improve communication, prioritize decision-relevant science, and support adaptive management aimed at increasing marshbird habitat. To support this effort, we integrated two complementary sources of information: a literature synthesis of marshbird habitat needs and threats, and structured focus groups with land managers and decision-makers to identify barriers to implementation. Together, these efforts highlighted key mismatches between available ecological knowledge and on-the-ground conservation constraints. To capitalize on information generated through these projects, the partnership reorganized in 2026 into focused work teams dedicated to providing mechanisms for translating scientific knowledge and practitioner perspectives into management-relevant guidance, coordinated conservation planning, and adaptive management. Key findings from the literature synthesis and stakeholder input will be highlighted in context of the next phase of the Midwest Marshbird Partnership, building organizational capacity to better translate science into conservation action for marshbirds across the Midwest.
The Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health is a partnership of researchers and engagement specialists who are connecting harmful algal bloom science with those who need it most. Center projects include research into environmental factors impacting HABs, known and unknown products of HABs, aerosolization and transport of toxins, and the human health impacts of blooms. This presentation will focus on the Community Engagement Core (CEC) of the Center, which is led by Ohio Sea Grant in collaboration with the University of Toledo, University of Windsor, and Michigan Sea Grant. The CEC takes a multi-faceted approach to HABs outreach, meeting affected communities where they are and sometimes bringing the communities to Lake Erie. A summary of outreach efforts will be offered, with examples of successes and lessons learned and opportunities for collaboration.
The Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) faces ongoing challenges with adoption and sustained use of conservation practices across agricultural landscapes to reduce nutrient pollution. Despite substantial investments in incentive programs for conservation adoption, long-term adoption rates lag due to complex social, behavioral, and economic barriers. To address this problem, the National Wildlife Federation and University of Michigan Water Center engaged a broad group of conservation partners to co-develop a Theory of Change (ToC) model for the WLEB. The ToC model is a powerful tool for developing an actionable roadmap to leverage new and existing conservation programs, coordinate outreach and technical service, address adoption barriers through program evaluation, and map connections between activities, intermediate outcomes, and long-term goals. This process convenes an inclusive conservation stakeholder group to encourage alignment and effective coordination across various efforts and organizations. Through the consolidation of shared assumptions and goals between WLEB actors, participants helped develop pathways to improve direct communication with farmers, identify implementable evaluation strategies and key indicators of success, and structure programs around the most feasible and impactful strategies for expanding conservation adoption. This study presents the WLEB ToC roadmap and its intermediate outcomes and evaluates the ToC process on a watershed-scale.
Wetlands have been restored, enhanced, or created across Great Lakes watersheds to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus delivery to rivers and lakes. Whether data encompass policy-relevant metrics (e.g. nutrient load reductions) or the underlying biological mechanisms, the ways in which scientists communicate uncertainty around these measurements affects the pace at which data transforms to results and results turn into information. This presentation highlights observations from four years of work among the H2Ohio Wetland Monitoring Program’s community of researchers and practitioners. It will feature the strategies by which the Program fostered dialogue among stakeholders (e.g., scientists, managers, designers, funders) and will outline key takeaways from the dialogues. Improved communication around uncertainty builds clarity, trust, and continuity across groups and time, which strengthens adaptive design and management of wetlands for water quality.
Michigan Sea Grant convenes a broad coalition of Michigan partners to create resources about Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) for Great Lakes and inland lake residents. Based on the need for continuing basic HABs awareness and education for Michigan lake residents, as identified by the Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health in 2021, Michigan Sea Grant started hosting Michigan “HABs chats” with representatives from state environmental, health, and agriculture agencies as well as researchers, natural resource managers, and local representatives. Outcomes of these collaborations include an annual webinar series in its third year with nearly 500 total attendees learning about topics such as nutrient budgets, HABs management for small lakes, the value of algae, and septic systems and impacts. Other resulting resources include a hyper-local educational card about the specific types of algae occurring in a local lake, a series of shareable “HABs facts” social media graphics, and an on-going article series on prevention and management topics such as HABs reporting, HABs and agriculture, and beneficial green algae. Webinar participants have indicated an increase in HAB knowledge, sharing information with neighbors, and an intent to take actions to reduce nutrient runoff. Written materials have also received positive feedback from partners and the public.
Cuyahoga County’s 2022 Lakefront Public Access Plan established a vision for transforming the County’s 32 miles of Lake Erie shoreline into a more connected, equitable, resilient, and publicly accessible shoreline. The plan identified that only approximately 15% of the county shoreline is publicly accessible today. Through a Communitywide survey of 4,000 lakefront property owners, the County identified 5 focus areas experiencing severe erosion, and where there was interest in exploring the granting of private easements in exchange for publicly-funded shoreline protection and public lakefront access. In Q2 2026, the County broke ground on its’ first in-water project. The Euclid Beach Connector emerged as the County’s first major implementation project. This session will highlight how the project advanced from concept to construction through the public-private partnership based on the “Euclid model.” Partnerships with the Cleveland Metroparks, NEORSD, and the City of Cleveland along with cooperation from private landowners proved critical. In total, easements from 18 individual property owners and were secured to create public access along the lakefront. This prove-it project created a model the County will follow and use to influence the County’s Fresh Water Institute initiatives. Attendees will gain insight into the planning framework, partnership strategies, and implementation lessons that moved a complex, multi-jurisdictional lakefront access project into reality.
With increasing climate-related challenges on the Great Lakes, planning for costal resilience has become a necessity. The small Lake Erie Port of Conneaut, Ohio has done just that. On the cusp of redevelopment, Conneaut embarked on the creation of a Costal Resilience Plan through engagement of community members and stakeholders, with the support of partners at Environmental Consulting and Technology (ECT). The Plan developed a path for Conneaut to protect natural resources and essential infrastructure while fostering sustainable development. This presentation is intended to provide an overview of the Conneaut Port Authority Coastal Resilience Plan, including its objectives, projects, and proposed actions. It will outline the planning process, describe methods for engagement, and review funding strategies that support both current initiatives and future endeavors. While the plan addresses a six-mile stretch of Lake Erie shoreline, the lessons learned and methods used are widely transferable.
Inspired by the success of Canada’s 2,200-mile (3,600-km) Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, the emerging U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail (U.S. GLWT) aims to expand outdoor recreational opportunities, promote conservation, and enhance local economies in all eight GL states. The goal is to empower communities to complete and connect existing shoreline trails, reaping the benefits of being part of a 4,800-mile bikeable trail extending from Grand Portage, MN to Massena, NY. In support of this initiative, graduate students at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) developed and tested a trail starter guide, using PA’s Lake Erie Coastal Zone as a design lab. Students collaborated with staff from PA’s Coastal Resources Management Program and Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources, Erie County Planning, and others to gain an understanding of the complexities of trail development in the Great Lakes. Using information gathered during field work in PA, the students developed a comprehensive guide (available online) that includes: a framework for the trail design process; a decision tree to help make trail decisions and highlight priority setting; and a toolkit of design resources. Well-received engagement sessions were held, and a presentation was made to the U.S. GLWT committee, which is convened by the Council of State Governments and comprised of representatives from the GL states, the National Park Service, and other trail stakeholders.
Ensuring that a broad spectrum of coastal recreational users are meaningfully engaged in coastal planning and project development can play a critical role in improving project outcomes and benefits. Beyond merely stakeholders, recreational users are economic drivers, sources of valuable knowledge and insight, and long-term stewards of coastal resources. Protecting and enhancing the conditions that support recreational activities on and near the water, such as surfing, paddling, swimming, and fishing, can preserve local economic benefits. Conversely, unintended impacts to recreational resources can diminish both community value and project returns. Recreational users also possess unique experiential knowledge of coastal processes, site conditions, and resource use patterns that can inform project design, identify potential conflicts, and reveal opportunities for added community benefits. Early engagement can build stakeholder support, reduce project risks, and improve implementation success. Through case studies, this presentation will illustrate the mutual benefits of recreational user engagement. Attendees will also explore ideas for identifying potential recreational uses and user groups in their project or planning area.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has developed their Watershed Integrated Restoration Plan (WIRP) that uses local environmental data, restoration opportunity mapping, and future landform and development plans to prioritize restoration by ecotype. The development of the WIRP included extensive collaboration with internal and external agencies to build consensus on priority restoration opportunities and actions along the Toronto waterfront. Following completion, the WIRP has been a force for collaboration and partnerships to implement priority projects. To date, the WIRP has been used to identify priority projects for grants, municipal partnerships, development offsetting and habitat enhancements in landform project design. TRCA is continuing with the expansion of the WIRP outside Toronto. In partnership with the Canada Water Agency (CWA), TRCA and a Steering Committee will be assessing coastal marshes in Durham Region to ground truth CWA’s coastal wetland prioritization strategy. This presentation will focus on the utility of large-scale strategic planning tools like the which could serve as a model for other areas across the Great Lakes. Project examples will be provided with and update on the progress of the WIRP expansion and coastal wetland assessments.
Coastal wetlands along Lake Ontario are increasingly vulnerable to climate-driven water level fluctuations, invasive species pressures, and ongoing habitat degradation. At Lynde Shores Conservation Area, a multi-phase restoration initiative is underway to enhance wetland resilience through large-scale habitat creation, improved hydrological function, and targeted vegetation management. This presentation will highlight the planning and implementation of new wetland features designed to support fish habitat, increase interspersion, and provide climate refugia. A key component of this work is the strength of partnerships across conservation authorities, federal agencies, non-government organizations, and Indigenous communities. Collaborative planning has supported technical design, funding alignment, and long-term stewardship of the site. Although monitoring is not the primary focus of the current phase, the project integrates established coastal wetland monitoring frameworks to inform adaptive management and evaluate ecological outcomes over time. Lessons learned from project design, procurement, and implementation will be shared, with a focus on practical considerations for delivering large-scale restoration in highly valued public landscapes. This case study offers insights for practitioners seeking to advance resilient coastal wetland restoration through coordinated partnerships and applied science.
