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Stewarding the Great Lakes

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
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Stewarding the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are known for their beauty and the wealth of resources within and around them. The combined lakes contain the largest supply of fresh water on earth; 20% or one fifth of the earth's total fresh water, with more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, the Great Lakes not only form Michigan's geography, but also shape our economy, society, and environment.

The Great Lakes face threats including invasive species, urban and rural runoff, historical as well as new sources of contamination, and changes in climate. You can help protect our Great Lakes and all of Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams and even groundwater!  Ensuring the health of our water resources for generations to come depends on stewardship and education about water. Just like every drop of water matters, every effort does, too! 

Become a water steward and Great Lakes champion!

choppy waves on the sandy shores of lake superior

Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, June 6-14, 2026

Each year, Michigan proclaims this week to raise awareness of the Great Lakes and Michigan’s inland waterways and groundwater. It’s a time to reflect on the importance of protecting these water bodies and their immeasurable role in sustaining and supporting the people and nature of Michigan.

Michigan is known around the world for this unique resource, which people can help preserve in the face of climate change and other challenges. By raising awareness, we will inspire people to protect and be champions of the Great Lakes and fresh water. Our call to action is for residents around the state to learn about, enjoy, appreciate, and safeguard this vital resource for current and future generations.

Will you paddle along a water trail or join an Adopt-a-Beach team for a local cleanup? Maybe you can collect plastics as you stroll along the shore, clear litter from storm catch basins in your neighborhood, or attend a local river or beach cleanup event. How will you protect the Great Lakes and fresh water, committing to a resilient community for years to come?

Enjoying a moment protecting our waters or being sustained or supported by them? Share your photos, actions, and stories on social media with the hashtag #MiGreatLakesWeek.

Take a look back at recent GLFWW webinars to learn more:

  • Tribal Wisdom on Nibi and ecosystems: Manoomin and the Circle of Life

  • Fostering connections to Michigan's water wonderland for wellness and stewardship

  • People and the Great Lakes: Building connections and local stewardship

Make an impact

  • A hand wearing a rubber glove holding up a discarded plastic water bottle from a sandy beach

    Adopt-a-beach

    Help protect the Great Lakes - Join an Adopt-a-Beach event or start your own!

  • A wooden rain barrel beneath a gutter, with a garden of purple flowers next to it

    Find an event and connect with water

    Whether it's a clean-up project or installing a rain barrel, there are many ways to connect with efforts that benefit Michigan's lakes, rivers and streams.

  • An adult and child sitting in chairs on a causeway, fishing

    Free Fishing Weekend

    Two days twice a year, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premiere outdoor activities, Michigan fishing, for FREE!

  • Sunshine sparkling on the surface of a stream with large grey rocks in it

    Learn how EGLE protects water

    The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) ensures that Michigan's water resources are protected and remain clean and abundant.

  • WS LTU porous pavers w Carpenter 2017

    Michigan Water School

    The Michigan Water School educates local officials to increase their knowledge about water management and access tools and resources for sound decision-making regarding water resources.

  • A dense mat of european frog-bit floating on the surface of a pond, with a few white flowers.

    Stop aquatic invasive species introductions

    Michigan's natural areas are under threat from invasive species. You can help protect our land and water resources.

  • Pile of white, pink, and brown oblong and round medication tablets

    Safely dispose of old medications

    Proper drug disposal is important because it helps protect human health and our environment.

  • Two MiCorps volunteers standing knee-deep in the Chippewa River looking at a net

    Volunteer with MiCorps

    The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) is a network of volunteer water quality monitoring programs in Michigan.

Tips to recreate responsibly with water

Learn about our Great Lakes

  • Michigan Green Schools - Become a Green School and Protect

    The Great Lakes basin is a 295,200 square mile area within which all surface area drains into the Great Lakes.  It includes parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ontario, and Quebec. All together, the Great Lakes contain the 9,402 miles of shoreline and 94,710 total square miles of surface area (about the size of Texas). 

    Learn about the Great Lakes literacy principles

    Learn more about our Great Lakes

✨ Kids Corner ✨

From Students to Stewards initiative

  • From Students to Stewards

    The From Students to Stewards Initiative was launched in 2019 to grow future water stewards and leaders and help students from elementary through high school learn about the Great Lakes, Michigan’s watersheds, and actions people can take to steward water resources across the state. It started as a collaboration among the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Office of the Great Lakes, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's MiSTEM Network, and the Michigan Department of Education.

    Learn more about this program and the current funding opportunity

Other resources

Educational videos

  • Playlist: Building Coastal Resilience

    Our lakes define us. Michigan is the steward of over two thirds of the Great Lakes coastline – we are truly the Great Lakes State! Take the next step to coastal resilience and learn how to develop resilient master plans and policies that best fit your coastal community.

  • Playlist: Learn more with EGLE Classroom

    Watch a playlist of short educational videos about various topics.

  • Playlist: Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week

    Learn about what EGLE's doing for Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week through this video playlist.

  • Playlist: Protecting Michigan Inland Lakes Tutorials

    Learn how to protect Michigan inland lakes.

  • Playlist: MI Shoreland Stewards

    The Shoreland Stewards Program was created to recognize inland lake property owners who are maintaining their property in a way that reduces negative impacts that development can have on inland lakes to ensure healthy lakes for future generations for both people and fish and wildlife.