As the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem, the Great Lakes benefit from massive financial investment in restoration and protection activities each year. Yet one unique entity acts as a force multiplier, not by contributing the most dollars, but by targeting funds to emerging and innovative ideas that can yield exponential returns and transformative impacts. That’s the approach of the Great Lakes Protection Fund, as discussed in this episode with David Rankin, it’s Executive Director. David explains how the governors of the Great Lakes states launched the Fund in 1989 as the first private endowment dedicated to an ecosystem. He also talks about notable accomplishments including reducing the influx of invasive species, developing standards for sustainable forestry, and reestablishing natural flows after dam removals.

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waterloop is made possible in part by grants from the Walton Family Foundation and Spring Point Partners.

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