In today's episode, we’re talking with Oscar Sanchez, the Community Planning Manager at Southeast Environmental Task Force, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to serving Chicago's southeast side and south suburbs. We’ll talk with Oscar about the community’s recent big win to stop General Iron, a major industrial facility proposed for the community, Calumet Connect, a community-led effort focused on sustainable economic development along the Calumet River, a tributary to Lake Michigan. 

In today's episode, we’re talking with Ramiro Berardo, an associate professor of environmental policy at Ohio State University. He’s written, directed, and produced a new documentary titled “…And Water For All” which premiered on World Water Day in late March. The documentary takes on the issue of water affordability in Ohio, but has lessons for the Great Lakes region and beyond. It examines the challenges that governments and communities are facing to ensure access to clean, affordable water now and in the coming decades. 

In today's episode, we’re talking with Juliann Krupa, the Alliance’s Volunteer Engagement Manager. We’ll be talking about our upcoming Adopt-a-Beach Spring Kickoff and the problem of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes.  

In today's episode, we’re talking with Anna-Lisa Castle, the Alliance’s Clean Water & Equity Program Director. We’ll be talking about water infrastructure and what needs to happen to be sure everyone around the Great Lakes region has access to safe, affordable drinking water. 

Resources

BLOG- Illinois shows leadership for lead-free drinking water; further action is needed across the Great Lakes region

BLOG- Water Infrastructure Front and Center in Washington, DC (This blog is part of a periodic series of updates from Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director of Federal Government Relations, with his view on Great Lakes policy from Washington, DC.)

Report: Water Affordability in Ohio

In today's episode, we’re talking with Molly Flanagan, the Alliance’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs, to get an update on invasive species in the Great Lakes. We’ll be talking about invasive carp, the status of efforts to regulate ballast water which is a main pathway for invasive species into the lakes, and the latest from Washington, DC on efforts to keep invasive species out of the lakes.  

In today's episode, we’re talking with Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director of Federal Relations, to get an update on what’s happening on Great Lakes policy in Washington, DC.  

Our conversation focused on the big picture of Great Lakes policy in Washington DC but current events may well come up so please remember that things may have changed by the time you hear this podcast. 

Additional resources: Healing our Waters Coalition

Visit. greatlakes.org for more information

We'll explore the history of black farming, the connection to land and water, and thoughts on the future of black environmentalism.

Speakers include:

Dr. Kevin McGruder, Associate Professor of History at Antioch College

Mr. Tim Lewis, Founding Partner & Outreach Director at Rid-All Green Partnership in Cleveland, Ohio

Website: http://www.greennghetto.org/

Moderator: Crystal M.C. Davis, Vice President of Policy and Strategic Engagement

Resource: The Bone and Sinew of the Land: America's Forgotten Black Pioneers and the Struggle for Equality - The Bone and Sinew of the Land: America's Forgotten Black Pioneers and the Struggle for Equality a book by Anna-Lisa Cox (bookshop.org)

In today's episode, we're talking about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – the GLRI – one of the cornerstone federal programs aimed at restoring and protecting the lakes. 

Our guest today is Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes President & CEO.  

2021 was a good year for the Great Lakes in Washington, DC. But the lakes face no shortage of problems, and there is still much more work to do.

We’ll discuss our top Great Lakes priorities for lawmakers in Washington, DC, and dig into the opportunities and challenges facing our agenda in the year ahead.

I’ll be joined by other Alliance for the Great Lakes policy experts:

• Joel Brammeier, President & CEO
• Molly Flanagan, COO & Vice President for Programs
• Crystal M.C. Davis, Vice President for Policy and Strategic Engagement
• Don Jodrey, Director of Federal Relations
• Jennifer Jennifer Caddick, Vice President, Communications & Engagement ( Moderator)

Welcome to Lakes Chat!

Every Tuesday, we'll chat with a special guest about Great Lakes issues ranging from infrastructure to water levels – and what it all means for you and your community.