Thanks to federally funded programs such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), communities that struggle with aging water infrastructure can get low-interest or no-interest loans and even loan forgiveness to upgrade these systems and protect communities and habitats over the long term.

By implementing the conservation practices that are part of this demonstration farm network, projects such as this support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative goal for reducing nutrient runoff from agriculture.

Planting native vegetation along the Pike River and restoring an adjacent wetland is reducing erosion, preventing storm runoff, and providing a home for fish and other native species.

Restoring 9 acres of wetlands in Michigan City, Ind., is preventing 37.5 million gallons of polluted urban runoff from flowing into a local creek and ultimately, Lake Michigan.

State-of-the-art monitoring technology ensures stable, healthy population growth and recovery for threatened lake sturgeon.

Capping contaminated soil in the St. Louis River and harbor to Lake Superior prevents toxic pollution from spreading and harming fish, wildlife, and people.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has helped reconnect the Griswold Creek in Chesterland, OH, to its natural floodplain, reducing erosion and improving habitat.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has helped fund the replacement of hundreds of trees in the Chicago area that were destroyed by the Emerald ash borer.