Win! Minnesota Governor Issues Order to Protect the Boundary Waters Watershed
Last week, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order to protect the Boundary Waters and the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed, which feeds into the Boundary Waters area. This order puts a stop to all exploratory mining leases or operations, and also demands a review of all existing mines in the area. It also closes a loophole by subjecting federal lands to the now-blocked state permitting process. Understanding that the order can be overturned by a future governor, it requires the Minnesota DNR to draft state-level legislation for a longer-term protection plan. Freshwater Future will keep you updated on any actions for this, but for now, this order offers hope and motivation towards permanent protection for the Boundary Waters.
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.
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!
Better Together: Facilitation & Meeting Basics
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 11 am CT / 12 pm ET
How we meet and gather affects the impact that we achieve together. Join Freshwater Future on September 15th to learn more about effective meeting facilitation and design, so you can create meetings that are outcome-driven, engaging for participants, and offer space for everyone to contribute ideas. This hour-long online session will give you practical tips and tools to take into your next meeting. Register here!
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. All sessions start at 10:30 am CT / 11:30 am ET.
Wednesday, September 16th Session
Wednesday, October 7th Session
Wednesday, December 9th Session
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)
Training Added – Monday September 21 at 12pm (virtual)
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. We will help you prepare. Register for the Day of Action and we will send you a link for a virtual training session on Monday September 21st at 12pm. The deadline to register is approaching – Monday August 31st.
Registration Deadline extended to August 31st
