The Great Lakes enjoy extraordinary support from the public and decision makers – they are the uniting force in the region. This presentation will begin by assessing how this support has been leveraged strategically to create and maintain the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Then the presentation will share the results of a recent analysis showing how the decline in federal Great Lakes funding and support has impacted research, data, workforces and other outcomes. Finally, the presentation will outline the preliminary results of the Great Lakes Horizon Scan, which is structured approach to identifying key long-term issues for which a proactive, strategic approach can bend the curve toward sustainable, resilient outcomes even in the midst of chaotic times.
