Great Lakes Habitat
Protection and Restoration

Overview
Habitat Protection and Restoration is a priority of the Great Lakes Commission and has been identified as an initiative area in the Commission’s biennial workplan. Critical habitats, including coastal and inland wetlands are of particular importance because of their significant ecological services and high rate of loss or degradation. Information on the issue and the Commission’s goals and objectives outlined below. Links to specific projects and accomplishments in this are found in the bar to the left.

Problem Statement: Past and ongoing human alterations have compromised Great Lakes-St. Lawrence habitats, including wetlands, resulting in their loss or degradation. The region has lost more than half its original wetlands and 60 percent of forested lands and only small remnants of some other habitat types remain. Natural habitat is critical to the health the Great Lakes ecosystem which, in turn, is inextricably linked to the vitality of the regional economy and quality of life. This is prominently recognized in the Great Lake Regional Collaboration Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes, as well as numerous other regional policy agreements. Wetlands, coastal zones and nearshore open waters are a high priority for the Commission because they are essential for numerous species of fish, aquatic life and birds, and are under stress from landside encroachment, aggressive invasive macrophytes and climate change. Natural stream functions for most Great Lakes watersheds have been compromised by impoundments and reduction of vegetation buffers, reducing their abilities to support a viable fishery and increasing sediment and nutrient loadings to the Great Lakes. The Commission is empowered to assist its Member states/provinces and Observers to coordinate regional activities to address these problems.

Goal: Critical habitat, including wetlands, is being protected and restored consistent with the goals and milestones expressed in the Great Lake Regional Collaboration Strategy.

Objectives:

• Work with Member states/provinces and regional partners to annually identify policy priorities to protect and restore habitat and advocate to Congress for needed resources


• Integrate information and report on regional trends in changes to natural habitat (type, extent, function)


• Facilitate development and use of regional decision support tools, including tracking of progress toward regional habitat restoration goals