Progress Through Partners: Restoring Aquatic Habitats in the Great Lakes Basin

In 2007, the Great Lakes Basin Fish Habitat Partnership (FHP) was recognized as a “candidate” fish habitat partnership under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.  Today, thanks to the dedication and commitment from a diverse group of federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental organizations, the Great Lakes Basin FHP is a formally recognized Partnership in support of the National Fish Habitat Partnership, with an organization framework that includes a 25 member Steering Committee, Science and Data Committee, and Communications Committee.  Perhaps more importantly, the Great Lakes Basin FHP has a strategic plan and broad, basin-wide partnership base at the grass-roots level that allow for on-the-ground habitat restoration to take place in a prioritized fashion to maximize benefits to fish populations.  In a relatively short period of time, the Great Lakes Basin FHP has partnered with fellow FHPs and others in the Midwest to assess the current condition of tributary habitat, begin to develop a coastal habitat framework, develop communications and outreach material, leverage additional dollars, and restore aquatic habitats. There is no doubt that the successes and accomplishments of by the Great Lakes Basin FHP would not have been possible without the diverse partners across the basin that have a shared interest in restoring aquatic habitats of the Great Lakes in support of healthy fish populations.