Topics Main Page

The Great Lakes contain nearly 20 percent of the world’s fresh water supply, providing drinking water to more than 42 million people in the United States and Canada every day. The lakes support a diverse manufacturing, shipping, agriculture and tourism economy valued in the hundreds of billions of dollars annually. In addition to the 50 million tons of cargo transported through the lakes each year, the region is home to nearly one-third of the country’s recreational boats, whose owners spend more than $2 billion annually. The Great Lakes have nearly 11,000 miles of shoreline in the United States and Canada.

A precious resource, the lakes face enormous — and growing — conservation challenges. Habitat loss and degradation, invasive species, poor water-use practices and threats to water quality pose major threats to the Great Lakes.  

Click here to see what you can do.