October 18 marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. It is a significant U.S. law regulating pollutants and supporting water quality standards to ensure the nation’s waterways are healthy. Before this law, communities witnessed the rapid degradation of our rivers and lakes. An example in southeast Michigan is the Rouge River catching fire....
The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation welcomes Nat Lichten to its team. Nat was named associate program officer for Great Lakes and Environment. He brings seven years of experience in watershed management, green infrastructure, and water and environmental research. Nat will work with current grantees, future applicants, and partners to help the...
For over 10 years, the Foundation supported programs and projects to improve Great Lakes water quality and reduce untreated combined sewer overflows, which pollute the region’s rivers and lakes. In total, the Foundation’s support for combined sewer overflow reduction efforts amounted to more than $20 million over the last decade. The Foundation recently commissioned a...
The Great Lakes Water Authority’s (GLWA) 40-year Wastewater Master Plan is a significant step towards a new, regional, cooperative approach to improve water quality. Of special interest to Erb is the plan’s recommendations on green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) and other strategies to manage Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). Erb co-convened a joint virtual meeting of its...
Green stormwater infrastructure initiatives are bringing together neighbors, improving water quality, and making Detroit more beautiful.
Janlynn Miller, a long-time resident on Detroit’s east side, is a natural educator who understands the importance of peer learning. Janlynn is one of 40 ambassadors trained through the Land + Water WORKS Coalition to teach their neighbors about GSI and help them install rain gardens and rain barrels. The ambassadors receive a performance-based stipend,...
On November 14, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American history and Michigan Science Center launched the Ripple of Impact: Museum Stormwater Initiative. Guided by research showing that museums are trusted spaces for learning and conversation, the event brought together diverse perspectives on water access and stewardship in Detroit. The Museum Stormwater Initiative centers...