Celebrating the 2024 Great Lakes Conference

Press Releases
Written By Lindsey Bacigal

Staff from the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition

We had another successful Great Lakes Conference in 2024! Around 280 people joined us in Chicago over the course of two days. Day one included a plenary with local environmental justice advocates, breakout sessions, field trips to six different local restoration sites, and a reception at the Columbus Park Refectory.

Day two featured more breakout sessions and two panels: one on what a clean energy transition means for the waters of the Great Lakes region and one on the successes of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative over the past 15 years.

Great Lakes advocates from around the region came to Chicago, including representatives from community groups, NGOs, government, and private industry. The Coalition worked closely with local and regional partners to provide over $56,000 in full and partial scholarships to 75 recipients, enabling many folks who would not otherwise have the resources to attend to join us to learn and network. This annual event continues to be an exciting and meaningful gathering space for Coalition members and partners, providing space to stay updated on Great Lakes work, learn from one another, and stay connected with our Great Lakes community. 

You can still view the agenda and other information from the 2024 Great Lakes Conference on our conference website. 

We’re already planning the 2025 Great Lakes Conference and we hope you’ll join us next fall Rochester, New York!

An older Black woman smiling while kayaking on a river

Conference attendee on this year’s kayaking field trip along the Wild Mile, a man-made floating wetland habitat.

A large group of people standing and kneeling on a beach with Lake Michigan and a blue sky in the background

The beach cleanup field trip where they collected 18.7 pounds of litter! Credit: Alliance for the Great Lakes

Six feminine presenting people of varying ages and races smiling in a group

Attendees at Thursday’s conference celebration. Credit: Paul Goyette

Six white women in business casual clothes smiling

Attendees at Thursday’s conference celebration. Credit: Paul Goyette

A blue and red frosted and sprinkled cake with a design on top that reads: Happy birthday Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Birthday cake at the conference celebration for the 15th year of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Credit: Paul Goyette

A Black woman receiving some materials from a white woman to learn more about the National Parks Conservation Association

An attendee hearing from a staff member from the National Parks Conservation Association in the exhibitor table section.

A group of people wearing bike helmets and standing next to bikes

The biking field trips attendees. Credit: Environmental Law & Policy Center

A painted mural with a young Latinx person holding a sign that reads Defiende La Villita with a fist raised in the air. They are surrounded by sunflowers, flying birds, chickens, and a solar panel.

Mural seen as part of the field trip about the struggle for environmental justice in Little Village, honoring the work of the community and organizers in transforming once toxic sites to thriving environments.

Six young adults standing and smiling, of various ethnicities

Attendees at Thursday’s conference celebration. Credit: Paul Goyette

Two women of Color smiling

Attendees at Thursday’s conference celebration. Credit: Paul Goyette

A young Asian woman with a blonde bob speaking on a panel with two white men and a white woman

Speakers from a breakout session panel.

An older Black woman at a podium speaking

Welcome from Brenda Mallory, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality, The White House.

Lindsey Bacigal
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