Projects and Initiatives

The Lake Michigan Forum has a long history of highlighting Lake Michigan issues amongst local stakeholders around the Basin. Through its education and outreach efforts, the Forum has promoted the goals of the Lake Michigan Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) by hosting workshops on various topics, such as air toxics deposition, mercury, agricultural pollution prevention, and the Great Lake Compact. The Forum has also implemented watershed assessments that promote watershed stewardship and engaged commercial harbors and marinas on the benefits of pollution prevention. The activities profiled below illustrate the depth of the Forum’s work toward improving the ecosystem of Lake Michigan.

Forum Meetings

The Forum meets quarterly, via in-person meetings or conference calls, to discuss basin issues, provide input into the work of the Lake Michigan Technical Coordinating Comm…Read More

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

In response to the Bi-national Executive Committee’s decision to move to a 5 year LaMP report, the Forum will engage the public on Lake Michigan ecosystem threats to …Read More

Lake Michigan Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Michigan Natural Features Inventory, working with a broad network of scientists, natural resource professionals, agency staff, and non-prof…Read More

Lake Michigan Forum Mercury Dialogue

The purpose of this project was to convene local watershed stakeholders and coal-fired electrical utilities in an open dialogue about sources of mercury in a watershed. The…Read More

Making Lake Michigan Great Educational Tour

The Lake Michigan Forum partners with the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) on the Making Lake Michigan Great on-board e…Read More

State of Lake Michigan Conference

The State of Lake Michigan conference is a biennial event that provides an opportunity for scientific researchers, government agencies, policy makers, and the general publi…Read More

Sustainable Harbors & Marinas

In November 2006, the Lake Michigan Forum proposed an initiative centered on mercury in ports and marinas. After some preliminary investigation, the initiative was reframed…Read More

Toxics Deposition

In 1999, the Lake Michigan Forum launched an initiative called Atmospheric Deposition of Toxics: Integrating Science and Policy. The intent of the project was to take …Read More

Watershed Stewardship Assessments

The Lake Michigan Forum sees the ethic of stewardship – a commitment by government, businesses, other organizations, and individuals to restore and protect the ecosys…Read More
Member Projects

Forum members are involved with many projects.

Ms. Kae DonLevy

Managing the WI CLean Marina Program. Coordinating the Gatheirng Waters F… Read More

Ms. Kathy Evans

The restoration of coastal habitats, the cleanup of legacy pollution and th… Read More

Mr. Bill Hafs

Agriculture nonpoint control, Northern pike habitat restoration, buffer str… Read More

Ms. Vicky Harris

Fox River TMDL analysis for total maximum daily loads of phosphorus and sus… Read More

Mr. Martin Jaffe

Water supply planning and policy… Read More

Ms. Judy Johnston

Public outreach on the importance of improving, conserving, protecting, fun… Read More

Ms. Angela Larsen

Coordinate multi-jurisdictional planning, monitoring, and grant submissions… Read More

Ms. Kathy Luther

Comprehensive regional planning for Northwest Indiana that will protect Lak… Read More

Mr. Greg Mund

Wildlife Habitat restoration; Contaminated sediment clean-ups; Public parti… Read More

Ms. Kay Nelson

Great Lakes Compact, historical (passage) and current implementation activi… Read More

Ms. Patty O'Donnell

Facilitate and coordinate three Michigan designated Heritage Route Committe… Read More

Mr. Todd Parker

Harbor & Marina Eco-EMS work… Read More

Mr. Bill Schleizer

Nature resource valuation and ecosystem markets.… Read More

Mr. Larry Smith

Domestic and international resource management, ecosystem rehabilitation, d… Read More

Dr. Janet Vail Ph.D

The Making Lake Michigan Tour, which is onboard public outreach and eductio… Read More

Ms. Barbara Waller

Environmental education and out-of-doors learning programs for school-age c… Read More