Change in the Great Lakes region is intensifying and accelerating in response to several large and profound trends, from climate change, urban sprawl and rural revitalization, and new pollution risks, to technology advancements and the nature of work as well as global competition and world trade, impacting the region’s people, economy, and environment. CGLR provides a forum to identify, discuss, prioritize, and solve the biggest risks to the well-being of our people, the health of the Great Lakes and our environment, and the success of our shared economy.
Convening and connecting government, business, academic, and nonprofit leaders to share diverse perspectives about sustainable growth in the Great Lakes region.

Fostering well-researched reports on the serious sustainability issues that matter most to the Great Lakes region on a timely basis to influence public conversations and the region’s policy agenda.

Facilitating cross-sector and cross-border collaborations in order to mobilize the know-how and significant financing required from all sources to achieve sustainability in the region.

Spearheading and scaling collaborative programs and solutions to speed up the systems changes necessary to achieve a better, more sustainable future for everyone.

Our members help make this work possible through their thought leadership and financial support. In return, we offer our members the opportunity to showcase their impact to an elite group of the region’s leaders.

Acting Regionally. Thinking Globally.
Leveraging Global Partnerships to Tackle Sustainability in the Great Lakes Region






Monitoring, Ecological Risk Assessment, and Management of Microplastics in the Laurentian Great Lakes Plastics are a diverse and ubiquitous group of materials that have seen a surge in production in …
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Study Finds: Great Lakes Residents Show Understanding of Environmental Facts, but Struggle with Making Green Choices Climate change acceptance and efforts to lead an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle has become …
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The Big Ten Conference and its football teams have given fans plenty to cheer about in its first year with four new members from the West Coast. Although the University …
Read moreGet the latest updates about our events, insights, dialogues, and programs to see how we are creating the context for a sustainable Great Lakes region to emerge.
