The Cities Initiative is proud to have participated in the recent Freshwater Challenge national call, represented by our Chief Policy Officer, Travis Wheeler. Milwaukee Water Works Superintendent Patrick Pauly shared an insightful update on Milwaukee’s progress in replacing lead service lines—a critical step toward ensuring safe, clean drinking water for all. This collaborative effort, including partnerships with Chicago and Detroit through the Great Lakes Lead Pipes Partnership, highlights the power of working together to address shared challenges across the region. We’re inspired by the dedication of all participants working to protect and improve freshwater systems for future generations. #FreshwaterChallenge #CleanWater #LeadServiceLineReplacement #Collaboration #GreatLakesLeadership
Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent
Government Relations Services
Chicago, Illinois 831 followers
About us
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a binational coalition of 137 U.S. and Canadian mayors and local officials working to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The Cities Initiative and local officials integrate environmental, economic and social agendas and sustain a resource that represents approximately 20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater supply, provides drinking water for 40 million people, and is the foundation upon which a strong regional economy is based. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative works with mayors and municipal staff to protect and preserve the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region at the local, regional, and basin-wide levels. Headquartered in Chicago, the Cities Initiative also has staff located in Toronto and Montreal. The Cities Initiative is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in the U.S. and a registered corporation in Canada.
- Website
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https://glslcities.org
External link for Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent
- Industry
- Government Relations Services
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Chicago, Illinois
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2003
Locations
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Primary
20 North Wacker Dr.
#2700
Chicago, Illinois 60606, US
Employees at Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent
Updates
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City of Kenosha partners with Cities Initiative on the Pike River Mouth Improvement Project, which will stabilize the mouth of the Pike River in Kenosha, Wisconsin to maintain open flow of water to Lake Michigan Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gbN56YmW - La ville de Kenosha s'associe à l'Alliance des villes pour le projet d'amélioration de l'embouchure de la rivière Pike, qui stabilisera l'embouchure de la rivière Pike à Kenosha, dans le Wisconsin, afin de maintenir l'écoulement de l'eau vers le lac Michigan. #CitiesInitiative #GreatLakes #WaterFlow
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We’re so fortunate to have such inspiring visionaries driving impactful change on our team, Phillipe Murphy-Rhéaume and Max Hayet! Thank you to The Water Institute for hosting this vital discussion and providing an opportunity to highlight the Cities Initiative's efforts on climate resilience and economic transformation for the Fresh Coast region.
Thanks to The Water Institute for the opportunity to present a webinar as part of their Value of Water series, along with my colleague Max Hayet. We shared an overview of the Cities Initiative's work and then did a deeper dive around some of the challenges facing cities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region - or the "Fresh Coast" - from climate impacts to the state of our water infrastructure. We also presented some of the solutions we're proposing to address those issues, along with a teaser on our work on Economic Transformation, which will accelerate in 2025. The coming year will be a critical one as governments of all levels in our region look to address multiple priorities with fewer resources and an uncertain outlook on the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. The Cities Initiative will continue to actively work to defend and advance the solutions that will keep our region prosperous, make our communities climate resilient, and safeguard the lakes and rivers that are the foundation of the Fresh Coast's past and future success. We look forward to working with our members, partners, and allies to move the needle and achieve our goals. https://lnkd.in/enfRbp8v
Opportunities and Challenges for Fresh Coast Cities
https://www.youtube.com/
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The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is excited to celebrate the progress made in New York's coastal communities through the Resilient Coastal Projects Initiative (RCPI). Three Project Implementation Frameworks were developed for Dunkirk, Rochester, and Sodus Point, addressing critical coastal challenges like erosion and flooding. A Coastal Resiliency Webinar brought together 16 New York communities and 13 local organizations, providing expert guidance on grant procurement and nature-based solutions. Special thanks to Suzanna Randall, Chief Resiliency Officer at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, for sharing her insights! The RCPI program equips communities with tailored strategies and funding plans to build sustainable, climate-resilient solutions and inform regional policy. Contact Coastal Programs Manager Zoë Kuntze (Goodrow) at [email protected] to learn more. https://lnkd.in/drzbhGw4 #CoastalResilience #ClimateAction #SustainableSolutions #GreatLakes #NewYork
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Join us May 14-16, 2025, in Milwaukee, WI, for the Cities Initiative’s Annual General Meeting. This key event brings together hundreds of mayors, government officials, and industry leaders to address critical water challenges and drive innovation in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin. As a member, take advantage of our SUPER SAVER rate, available until December 31, 2024, and save over 25% on registration fees. The Super Saver rate is $800 USD ($1,120 CAD), while the regular rate is $1,100 USD ($1,540 CAD). Stay at the beautiful Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, with a special discounted rate. Be sure to book your accommodations by April 21, 2025, to secure your stay. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the #FutureOfFreshWater and connect with leaders making a difference. Register now and join us in Milwaukee! #CitiesInitiative2025 https://lnkd.in/ddJRPQe8 - Rejoignez-nous du 14 au 16 mai 2025 à Milwaukee, WI, pour l'assemblée générale annuelle de l'Alliance des villes. Cet événement majeur rassemble des centaines de maires, de représentants du gouvernement et de leaders de l'industrie pour relever les défis cruciaux liés à l'eau et stimuler l'innovation dans le bassin des Grands Lacs et du Saint-Laurent. En tant que membre, profitez de notre tarif SUPER ÉCONOMIQUE, disponible jusqu'au 31 décembre 2024, et économisez plus de 25 % sur les frais d'inscription. Le tarif Super Saver est de 800 USD (1 120 CAD), tandis que le tarif normal est de 1 100 USD (1 540 CAD). Séjournez au magnifique hôtel Saint Kate - The Arts, avec un tarif spécial. Assurez-vous de réserver votre hébergement avant le 21 avril 2025 pour garantir votre séjour. Ne manquez pas cette occasion de façonner le #FutureOfFreshWater et de vous connecter avec des leaders qui font la différence. Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant et rejoignez-nous à Milwaukee ! #CitiesInitiative2025
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We’re thrilled to share that Bridget Brown, our Chief Operations and Programs Officer at the Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent, represented our organization as a panelist at the ACES 2024 Conference! This premier event engages leaders from government, NGOs, academia, Indigenous Nations, and the private sector to advance ecosystem services science and practice in resource management and societal decisions. Bridget joined an exceptional panel moderated by Nicole Zacharda (Great Lakes Commission), featuring Jim Luke (US Army Corps of Engineers), Stevie Adams (The Nature Conservancy), and Chiara Zuccarino-Crowe (NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration). The discussion focused on leveraging significant U.S. federal investments, such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and state-led efforts to foster collaboration among federal and state agencies, Indigenous Nations, and conservation organizations. Together, they’re paving the way to build a resilient Great Lakes basin that can adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. This year’s theme, "Investing in Community Resilience and Equity," underscores the importance of partnerships and sustainable solutions to protect our shared water resources and support the communities that depend on them. For more about ACES 2024, visit ACES Conference Website. #ACES2024 #CommunityResilience #Equity #GreatLakes #EnvironmentalLeadership #EcosystemServices #ClimateAction #Collaboration
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Exciting news! City of Sheboygan is taking bold steps to protect Lake Michigan's shore with $300K in funding for erosion controls! This investment will cover 30%-60% of the plan’s design phase, ensuring a more resilient shoreline for the future. #GreatLakes #ErosionControl #ResilientCoastlines Read Full Article: https://lnkd.in/dBxZjq5A
Sheboygan will use $300K to implement erosion controls along Lake Michigan shore
sheboyganpress.com
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Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent reposted this
We're excited to share that the City of Sheboygan has secured funding for critical Coastal Resilience and Shoreline Protection Projects through the Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent!🌊 This funding will support our efforts to address erosion and flooding, helping to create safer, more sustainable waterfronts for all. With these funds, we’re moving forward on our erosion control plan, ensuring Sheboygan's future as a resilient and thriving community. 🌱 Thanks to the National Coastal Resilience Fund, we’re one step closer to making our waterfront even better! 🌟 ℹ️ For more information: 👉https://lnkd.in/ggZ9RjRp #Sheboygan #CoastalResilience #GreatLakes #ShorelineProtection #EnvironmentalStewardship #StrongerSaferSheboygan
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#GivingTuesday ends at midnight—let’s make every moment count! Donate Now: https://lnkd.in/e842H_Cc This #GivingTuesday, Protect the Heart of Our Region: Every day, the Cities Initiative is advancing solutions to tackle some of our region’s most pressing challenges and helping to enhance the quality of life for our region. We are leading the way on protecting our lakes and rivers for now, and future generations. By donating today, you’re investing in the future of our shared home. Help make a tangible impact by supporting our work across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region.
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This #GivingTuesday, Protect the Heart of Our Region: Every day, the Cities Initiative is advancing solutions to tackle some of our region’s most pressing challenges and helping to enhance the quality of life for our region. We are leading the way on enhancing our region’s climate and coastal resilience. By donating today, you’re investing in the future of our shared home. Help make a tangible impact by supporting our work across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region. Donate Now: https://lnkd.in/e842H_Cc Giving Tuesday ends at midnight—let’s make every moment count! #GreatLakes #GivingTuesday #ProtectOurLakes