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Office of the Great Lakes

An endless expanse of turquoise-blue clear waters under a bright blue sky. The shoreline is made of large, smooth rocks.
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Office of the Great Lakes

As the Great Lakes State, Michigan upholds the highest standards for protecting, restoring, and sustaining the Great Lakes, the world’s largest freshwater resource. The Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) is a leader in developing policy and implementing strategic programs to protect, restore, and sustain the Great Lakes watershed. The office collaborates with partner organizations to support sustainable water use and development of Great Lakes maritime resources; support vibrant and resilient communities; foster water stewardship; and advance science, research, and policy to solve the next generation of water challenges. 

The Michigan Legislature created the office in 1985 under the Great Lakes Protection Act.

News

  • Review the Michigan Maritime Strategy

    The Michigan Maritime Strategy is a 10-year, forward-looking plan to capitalize on the State’s strategic position in the Great Lakes region and its extensive maritime assets.

  • Apply for From Students to Stewards Initiative funding

    Learn more and apply for grants to boost freshwater literacy programs and increase access to real-world, freshwater-centered STEM experiences for K-12 students.

  • An endless expanse of turquoise-blue clear waters under a bright blue sky. The shoreline is made of large, smooth rocks.

    State of the Great Lakes Report

    The annual report on behalf of the Governor highlights the year’s projects, accomplishments, priority issues, and initiatives related to the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes
    Read the report
  • Aerial of Great Lakes in winter

    Building on Regional Collaboration

    We collaborate with regional partners to develop and implement shared priorities and speak with a unified voice on Great Lakes policies to sustain the world's largest freshwater system.
  • A reddish-orange rocky cliff, part of Pictured Rock National Lakeshore overlooking Lake Superior

    Protecting Great Lakes freshwater

    We work at the regional, state, and local level to support sustainable Great Lakes water use.
    How we're protecting our Great Lakes
  • A boat sitting in the Soo Locks

    Growing the Great Lakes maritime economy

    We convene and connect regional, state and local partners to support the development of Great Lakes maritime resources, ports, and harbors, and promote Great Lakes tourism.
    Learn more about the maritime strategy
  • Cedarville High School students install a monitor in a local waterway. The monitor is part of the MiWaterNet program run by the Center for Freshwater Research and Education at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie

    Stewarding the Great Lakes

    We foster water literacy in all ages to create current and future generations of water stewards, leaders, skilled workers, and decision-makers.
    Become a water steward
  • Researchers deploy Michigan Tech’s Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) IVER 3 in the Keweenaw Waterway to take a closer look at an unmarked shipwreck

    Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund

    The office manages the Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund, an endowment created to support Great Lakes research that advances policy and science-based decision making.
    About the fund
  • Crystal clear water of Lake Michigan washing up on a pebbled shoreline at Wilderness State Park on a beautiful summer day

    Michigan Water Strategy

    The office led the creation of the Water Strategy, a 30-year plan for Michiganders to protect, manage, and enhance Michigan’s water resources for current and future generations. The strategy identifies key actions to promote healthy water resources.
    Learn more
  • A white lighthouse with red roof on the shore of Lake Michigan, cloudy sky in the background

    Great Lakes programs partners

    We collaborate with programs led by EGLE and other local, state, and federal agencies and tribal governments to fulfill OGL’s mission of protecting, restoring, and sustaining the Great Lakes watershed.