Join Southwestern Ontario Communities: Oppose Conservation Authority Consolidation
A few weeks ago, Freshwater Future shared a story about local pushback against the Province of Ontario’s plan to consolidate its watershed-based conservation authorities. The pushback along the eastern shore of Lake Huron continues to escalate among both lower- and upper-tier municipal government leaders as well as the local Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. A member of the Bruce County council is asking other council members to appeal to provincial elected representatives, cabinet ministers and the premier, and ask for a smaller Lake Huron Regional Conservation Authority. Across Ontario, the amalgamation will drastically reduce representation among the rural areas while abandoning commonsense watershed-level management for drinking water and wetlands protections.
Residents can also take advantage of this momentum and use their voice to support locally-informed watershed management. Contact your Minister of Provincial Parliament and tell them it’s not too late to abandon the consolidation plan – look yours up here and send a quick message or call today!
Win! Detroit Community Action Improves Local Flooding
Freshwater Future has been working with several local community organizations in Detroit to mitigate neighborhood flooding, and thanks to their hard work and advocacy, they are seeing results! Our partners used Freshwater Future’s Flood Focus App to document persistent flooding and discovered clogged storm drains were causing unnecessary street flooding, even after small amounts of rain. A report with maps and details of the priority flooding sites was shared with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, requesting action. After reviewing the report, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department conducted maintenance and/or repairs on all of the reported sites. Data collection, grassroots advocacy, and partnerships resulted in community improvements and reduced flooding risk! If you are experiencing flooding in your Detroit neighborhood, contact kwame@freshwaterfuture.org to learn more.
Large Water Withdrawals & Principles
Has a hyperscale data center or other large water development project been proposed in your community? If your grassroots organization is working on this type of issue, we invite you to participate in Freshwater Future’s monthly Large Water Withdrawals meeting to join like-minded people for support in fighting back against local large water users. The group developed a set of community principles that outlines policies for protecting water and the environment, public health, and affordability from the impacts of large water users. The Principles are free to share and meant to be a starting place, so please make your own edits to best suit your community! Read the Principles here!
If you or someone you know would like to join these calls, contact angelique@freshwaterfuture.org.
Funding Available for Your Water Work
Freshwater Future’s Fall Project Grants cycle is open until September 30th and we are looking for grassroots advocacy projects that will make a permanent change throughout the Great Lakes! Your local community organization could receive up to $5,000 in funding to protect drinking water, shorelines, inland lakes, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater throughout the region. Learn more about the application process, eligible projects, and more with these resources:
- Sign up for our upcoming Q&A on September 2nd to learn more about eligibility
- View a previous Q&A webinar
- Read our RFP here
- Visit our Grants page
- Look over past projects to get a feel for what we are looking for
Contact Lindsey at (231) 348-8200, ext 110, or Lindsey@freshwaterfuture.org with any questions.
Relax with Mindfulness and Movement
Working to protect water is demanding. Join us for our Mindfulness & Movement session, a 45-minute guided session with Jonathan Relucio, to relax and restore. Can’t join? Registrants can access past session recordings here – contact alana@freshwaterfuture.org for the password.
Wednesday, September 16, 11:30 am (Eastern) Register here!
Grants Q&A Webinar – September 2nd, 12-1pm (Eastern)
Join Freshwater Future staff to learn more about our grant programs, what projects are eligible to receive funding, and how to set yourself up for success when applying. Please register by August 30th. Note that this webinar will not be recorded, but a recording of our 2025 webinar is available on our website. We hope to see you there! Register here!
Water is Life Festival – Save the Date
Saturday, September 5th, 2026:
The Water is Life Festival is an annual celebration of water, art, music, food, and community, held at the Downtown Petoskey Waterfront. The event is free to attend and is open 12-9pm. Register now to have a chance at winning locally-provided door prizes!
Affordable Water Now Day of Action, Lansing, Michigan – Wednesday September 23, 2026, 8am-3pm (Eastern)
On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, we’ll gather at the Michigan State Capitol for our Affordable Water Now Day of Action—and we hope you’ll join us! Never lobbied before? No problem! You do not need to be a seasoned advocate to participate, and to help you prepare, we are hosting a virtual training session! Details to be shared very soon!
