b'GREAT LAKESWeenvisionathrivingGreatLakesecosystem,especiallythe watersheds impacting Metro Detroit and Bayfield, Ontario.Polluted runoff from farms and cities is one of the largest threats to the Great Lakes. This pollution has become a problem in the Detroit River, which receives raw sewage during combined sewage overflows, and our closest Great Lake, Lake Erie, where toxic algal blooms have caused beach closures and drinking water advisories. Addressing a complex problem like this requires a long-term multipronged strategy including research to understand the problem and identify solutions, collaborative advocacy for good policy, and informed action by diverse constituencies.AGRICULTURAL RUNOFF70% of the land in the western Lake Erie watersheda land mass almost the size of the State of Massachusettsis devoted to agriculture. Sustainable agricultural practices can reduce polluted runoff and improve farmer yields.FEATURED GRANTSResearchtomodelthesourcesofpollutedrunoffandtargetsolutions: UniversityofMichigantomodelrelativesourcesofnutrientloadingintoLake EriefromtheDetroitRiverandMaumeeRiverwatershedsWayneState UniversityforbinationalmonitoringandresearchintheHurontoEriecorridorCollaborativeadvocacyforregulatorypolicies:FreshwaterFutureforthe binationalLakeErieCollectivescontinuedadvocacyonpoliciestoachievea40% phosphorusreductioninOntarioMichiganLeagueofConservationVoters EducationFundtosupportfortheUSactionsoftheLakeErieCollectivecampaignImplementationofbestpracticesbyfarmers:MichiganAssociationof ConservationDistrictstocontinuefarmer-to-farmereducationonbestmanagement practicessuchascovercropsandtoimprovethestatesvoluntarystewardship programforfarmersMichiganStateUniversitytoreducesubsurface conveyanceofexcessphosphorusintoLakeEriebyimprovingdraintilepracticesFor a complete list of Great Lakes grants, see page 228'