Freshwater Future Weekly: November 7, 2025
Mindfulness and Movement: Continue the Practice Through Year’s End
Join us for our final two Mindfulness and Movement Sessions of 2025. Mindfulness expert Jonathan Relucio will guide us through 45-minute sessions on
Learning these simple techniques can easily be used in your daily life to help recharge, refocus, and reduce stress. These FREE events are open to everyone—community leaders, family, friends, co-workers, and volunteers–so please share this with them! Reminder: you will need to register for each session separately.
Win! Western New York Data Center Approvals Canceled Following Legal Violations
The Tonawanda Seneca Nation and partners successfully defeated a hyperscale data center planned for Alabama, New York, due to significant violations of the State Environmental Quality Review Act. Approvals for the massive data center and manufacturing site were rescinded by the permitting agency, the Genesee County Economic Development Center or GCEDC. Chief Roger Hill stated, “We put GCEDC on notice that we won’t accept shoddy environmental reviews and that, going forward, they must follow the rules. GCEDC’s retraction of the approvals shows they got the message: the Nation and its many allies are watching. We will not allow them to push through projects that threaten the well-being of our territory and our shared environment.”
Concerned about a data center in your community? Freshwater Future is committed to protecting our Great Lakes as new threats emerge. If your organization is working on any issue that involves significant use of surface water or groundwater, Freshwater Future wants to hear from you! Give us a call at (231) 348-8200.
Halloween Rally Protests the Restart of “Zombie” Nuclear Reactor
Zombies (costumed advocates) rallied on Halloween to protest the reopening of the Palisades nuclear power plant in southwest Michigan. Protestors voiced concerns about the plant’s steam generator, contamination of drinking water sources, and other potential health risks for residents near the facility. Recently, the plant exceeded the release limits of a highly toxic chemical, hydrazine, into the lake. Government officials need to enforce current laws and regulations while also moving towards a nuclear-free future to ensure the safety of our freshwater sources and frontline communities.
Researchers: Ontario’s Don River Needs Better Protection from Plastics
Canadian researchers were shocked to discover that plastic pollution in the Don River is significantly worse than originally predicted. Each year, nearly 36,000 kilograms, or 40 US tons, of microplastics are estimated to flow into Lake Ontario from this river alone. Part of the problem is Toronto’s aging combined sewer and sanitary system that releases untreated sewage into the river during heavy rain events. Fortunately, the city is currently investing three billion dollars to keep sewer overflows out of the river. Freshwater Future hopes that further efforts are made to prevent and improve plastic pollution across the Great Lakes region, and we call on everyone to take action to reduce single-use plastics in their lives.
Webinar: Big Oil vs Big Water
Join Water Watchers, a Canadian charity partner of Freshwater Future, on November 18 from 7-8:30 pm ET to learn about our precious Great Lakes resources and the threat of Big Oil and pipelines. The webinar hosts, including leading organizers and attorneys, will take questions following the presentations and provide an action to push back against these critical threats to our freshwater resources. Register here!
Funding Opportunity: Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program
A new grant opportunity is available for U.S. non-profits working on invasive species management, water quality, habitat restoration, or wildlife conservation in the Great Lakes basin. Learn more at these upcoming informational webinars on November 12th at 10am ET and November 20th at 1pm ET.
Take Actions: Together, Our Voices Make a Difference