The Great Lakes are inland freshwater seas, holding roughly a fifth of all the surface fresh water on Earth. Their shores run from towering dunes to coastal wetlands to rocky northern islands, and their waters have shaped the economy and imagination of a continent’s interior. Yet all that abundance is under pressure from invasive species, nutrient loading, and a warming climate that is remaking the lakes from the water up.
The groups working across this basin protect coastal wetlands and dunes, restore tributaries and fish passage, and defend the lakes against pollution and invasion. Their work rests on a simple truth: fresh water is the wealth of this region, and safeguarding it is safeguarding everything.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
309 organizations working across this landscape.
1000 Friends of Wisconsin
1000 Friends of Wisconsin was created in 1996 by a group of academics and environmentalists with the primary focus of promoting legislation that led to Wisconsin...
350 Madison Climate Action Team
350 Wisconsin mobilizes grassroots power to change hearts and minds, laws and policies, and humanity’s massive systems to make transformational progress toward envir...
Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy
Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the philanthropic arm of Abercrombie & Kent (A&K). The organization traces i...
Acaté Amazon Conservation
Acaté is a non-profit conservation organization based in the U.S. and Perú that works in partnership with the Matsés indigenous tribe of the Amazon Rainforest.
Akashinga
Akashinga is an innovative nature conservation organization creating resilient ecosystems where nature, wildlife, and communities will thrive for years to come.
Aldo Leopold Foundation
Aldo Leopold's environmental philosophy of the land ethic, ecological restoration of prairie, woodlands, oak savanna, and wetlands, and education.
Alliance for the Great Lakes
The mission of the Alliance for the Great Lakes is to protect, conserve, and restore the Great Lakes, ensuring healthy water in the lakes and in our communities for ...
Amazon Research and Conservation Collaborative
We work alongside indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon to protect land, biodiversity, traditional knowledge, and indigenous sovereignty.
American Conservation Coalition
Founded in June 2017 by a group of young activists who recognized the need for new ideas and real climate action, ACC aims to depoliticize environmentalism and push...
Anderson Japanese Gardens
MISSION In our hectic and stressful world, Anderson Japanese Gardens opens minds to a different culture while offering guests a place of peace and tranquility where ...
Bees in the D
Bees in the D is a trusted group of educators focused on pollinators, specifically honeybees, and provides a model for beekeeping nationally. Through global educatio...
Big Run Wolf Ranch
Big Run Wolf Ranch is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with climate adaptation. Based in Lockport, IL, United States of America, it is include...
Bike Cleveland
Bike Cleveland is creating a region that is sustainable, connected, healthy, and vibrant by promoting bicycling and advocating for safe and equitable transportation...
BikEquity Inc.
To provide resources, mentorship, and education so that everyone can enjoy cycling for recreation, fitness, and transportation, regardless of income, age, race, or a...
Bikes for Kids Wisconsin
Biodynamic Association
Advancing the adoption of biodynamic practices to create a thriving and equitable agricultural system
BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin
Birding Club for People of Color and Allies
B Local Wisconsin
B Locals are place-based communities of people using business as a force for good. At the core of every B Local are Certified B Corporations — for-profit companies u...
Bookworm Gardens
Bookworm Gardens' mission is to inspire the love of books and nature in the young and young at heart.
BRITE Energy Innovators
BRITE is an innovation-first ecosystem advancing the transition to a clean energy economy.
Brushwood Center
Improving health equity and access to nature through the arts, education, and community action
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Guardians of Western New York’s fresh water for 35 years.
Burning River Foundation
The Burning River Foundation Inc is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with conservation / land trusts. Based in Cleveland, OH, United States of...
Capital Off Road Pathfinders, Inc. (local Chapter of International Mountain Bicycling Association)
Capital Off-Road Pathfinders (CORP Trails) is a Wisconsin non-profit Mountain Bike trail organization and a local chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling As...
Center for Native Peoples and the Environment
Indigenous Knowledge and Land Justice
Central Cross Country Skiing
To provide an organization which enables athletes, coaches, and people of all ages and abilities to achieve their maximum potential in cross country skiing through E...
Chagrin River Watershed Partners Inc.
Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that connects people and communities in to care for the Chagrin River and other water...
Chester Bowl Improvement Club
To promote sustainable, quality programs for all Chester Bowl Park users in a healthy and safe environment.
Chicago Patchwork Farms
Chicago Patchwork Farms is an urban vegetable farm dedicated to improving accessibility of healthy food to our community.
Chicago Resource Center
Chicago Resource Center is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with food systems. Based in Chicago, IL, United States of America, it is included ...
Chicago Wilderness
Chicago Wilderness envisions a vibrant region where people and nature thrive together, promoting diverse and healthy communities, economic vitality, and well-being f...
Chippewa Nature Center, Inc.
Founded in 1966, Chippewa Nature Center is a non-profit environmental education organization, open year-round with FREE daily admission.
Circle of Blue
The international network of leading journalists, scientists and communications designers that reports and presents the information necessary to respond to the glob...
Citizens For Safe Water Around Badger
Empowering, strengthening and unifying communities whose lands and water resources have been contaminated by military or industrial pollution.
Clean Lakes Alliance
Our mission is to champion our lakes and watershed stewardship for the benefit of all.
Cleveland 2030 District
Mission The Cleveland 2030 District is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that engages commercial property owners, professional partners and community stak...
Cleveland Water Alliance
Build on our region's assets and resources to create a freshwater innovation ecosystem that harnesses technology, spurs the economy, informs decision makers, enhance...
Climate Solutions Accelerator
To create a healthier, more equitable, and environmentally sustainable community by catalyzing local efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and address the ef...
Climate Vault
Climate Vault is an award-winning non-profit that helps organizations reduce and eliminate their carbon footprint.
Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park's mission is to enrich people’s lives and enhances our region by inspiring use, preservation and support of Cuyahog...
Coon Creek Community Watershed Council, Inc
Increasing awareness about, access to, and adoption of land management practices that build healthy soil and good lives in the Coon Creek Watershed and beyond.
Copper Harbor Trails Society, Inc
We build and maintain incredible trails near Michigan’s northernmost town, Copper Harbor. Our network of 37+ miles of non-motorized, human-powered trail spans from...