Mobilizing People Power For Great Lakes Parks

Communities across the Midwest are navigating a complex mix of water challenges—from affordability to agricultural pollution to protecting iconic national parks—and the policies shaping those outcomes.

In this episode, Crystal Davis, Senior Midwest Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association, discusses how regional advocacy, coalition building, and community-driven organizing are advancing solutions across 11 states and 53 park sites.

She highlights efforts to strengthen park funding, reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and address pollution pressures in places like Lake Erie. Davis also explains how the Midwest is building multi-sector coalitions to push for equitable access to water and nature, elevating voices typically excluded from environmental decision-making.

She shares lessons from Healing Our Waters, a 180-member coalition driving federal and state reforms, and outlines why authentic engagement—not box-checking—is essential for lasting progress.

Her work underscores how unified advocacy across communities, businesses, tribes, and frontline organizations is shaping a more equitable and resilient future for parks and water in the Great Lakes region.

This episode is part of the Color of Water series, a collaboration with the Water Hub.

waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.