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		The Nature Conservancy in the Great Lakes Region Great Lakes   Contact Us   How We Work   Places We Protect   Press Releases   Resources   Volunteer   Ways of Giving

How We Work

Binational Blueprint for the Great Lakes Downloads Binational Conservation Blueprint for the Great Lakes (PDF) Blueprint Map (PDF) Printed copies of the Blueprint and map are available upon request. Conservation Highlights Illinois: Indian Boundary Prairies Indiana: Upper St. Joseph River Michigan: Ives Road Fen Minnesota: Upper Manitou Forest New York: Tug Hill Ohio: Grand River and Morgan Swamp Ontario: Pigeon River Wisconsin: Chequamegon Bay Explore more places we protect

The Binational Blueprint for the Great Lakes

Collaborative Science Guides Conservation

The Nature Conservancy’s Great Lakes Program and the Nature Conservancy of Canada have collaborated to develop a binational conservation blueprint that highlights areas in critical need of conservation in both the United States and Canada. The information provides government leaders, scientists and concerned residents with a cross-country roadmap to restore the health of the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes Diversity of Life A Resource Under Threat The Science of Conservation Coordinated Action

More than 500 sites within the Great Lakes basin have been identified as priorities for protection, including forests, coastlines, islands, wetlands, rivers and inland lakes. The Great Lakes ecosystem is threatened by altered water flows, invasive species, extraction of natural resources, climate change, and incompatible development, agricultural and forestry practices.

International Conservation In Action

Cross-border collaboration to conserve many of these areas already is in the works. In northwestern Ontario, The Nature Conservancy, Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ontario Parks are working together to protect 750 acres along the Pigeon River. The work will safeguard the last seven miles of unprotected shoreline along the 90-mile river. In the Western Lake Erie Islands, the two organizations are working with government agencies and other partners to identify and protect important stopover habitat for migratory birds. Around Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River, The Nature Conservancy and Nature Conservancy of Canada are developing a bi-national plan of action to improve an ecosystem that is in decline due to pollution, invasive species and altered water flows.