Great Lakes Region Twenty percent of the world’s fresh water lies in the Great Lakes. “Point source” pollution at industrial sites has been greatly reduced.  That leaves local communities with “non-point source” decisions about wetlands, parking lots, runoff and lawn chemicals.  The Rochester Embayment – where the Genesee River meets Lake Ontario – is a region of degraded water quality identified by a joint commission on fhe Great Lakes.

Caring for Creeks Since 1997, we have worked on these issues through the Great Lakes Community Foundation Environmental Collaborative. We organized two Caring for Creeks conferences where neighbors, environment groups and public experts shared strategies for protecting waterways. We also helped form the Water Education Collaborative to coordinate water quality monitoring and education.

Protecting Natural Beauty Environmental assets are also critical to our region’s quality of life.  Community Foundation grants have helped teach landowners about preserving farmland; educated children about nature and recycling; protected drinking water; and expanded parks and preserves. Among our local partners are the Center for Environmental Information, Nature Conservancy, and Genesee Land Trust.