Forging Partnerships to Protect the Public Trust

"After nearly 40 years of work in the field of environmental protection and Great Lakes policy, I'm comfortable saying that FLOW brings something unique to the process. Its advocacy of public trust principles adds an important dimension to Great Lakes protection policy and enforcement of government’s public trust obligations. This has the potential to make the difference in whether the Lakes are protected for future generations. FLOW is an effective and increasingly influential force in the environmental protection in our Great Lakes watershed."
~David Ullrich, Executive Director, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

Much of FLOW’s work is made possible by collaborating with our deeply committed partners. Many organizations and individuals in our network are dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes, and together we are advancing the impactful research, advocacy, and solutions that matter. United by our missions and strengthened by our unique areas of expertise, FLOW and are partner organizations have teamed to ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from the Great Lakes.

FLOW is proud to be a leader with these key partners in the Oil & Water Don’t Mix campaign that is spearheading the public call for the state of Michigan to shut down the decaying Line 5 oil pipelines in the Mackinac Straits: Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA), Concerned Citizens of Cheboygan and Emmet County, Food & Water Watch, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, League of Women Voters of Michigan, Michigan Clean Water Action, Michigan Environmental Council, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, Sierra Club of Michigan, Straits Area Concerned Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, and TC350.

"The Grand Traverse Band appreciates the multi-generational perspective that FLOW brings to our joint efforts to protect what we cherish. FLOW has been a reliable and effective partner in our work to prevent an oil spill at the Straits of Mackinac and to prevent the privatization of the water that we all share together. Nibi Bimaadiziwin Awan (Water is Life)."
~Desmond Berry, Grand Traverse Band, Natural Resource Director

We also work closely with the Environmental Law & Policy Center, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the National Wildlife Federation, the Story of Stuff, and many other groups and entities to identify, call attention to, and address emerging and systemic threats to the Great Lakes.

We deeply value our relationships with government officials at the local, state, Great Lakes regional, federal, and binational levels, and among tribal governments and agencies, including CORA, the Grand Traverse Band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

Finally, we are grateful to the individuals and families across Michigan and the Midwest who support, care for, and protect the Great Lakes and their tributaries for current and future generations and for the good of the habitat and wildlife that depend on it. Your efforts are, and will long be, appreciated.