2020 Summer Newsletter

In collaboration with a multidisciplinary project team, the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers created the Great Lakes Impact Investment Platform. The Platform showcases projects and investments that improve our region’s waters while seeking to generate positive market-based financial returns.  With eight projects participating so far, the Platform already represents over $400 million in total project value. These projects also address six of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Now more than ever, it is critical that we build the right policy, financial and institutional structures and properly align economic incentives to our common goals. The Platform and its unique structure will help us to be better positioned to meet basic societal needs including safe dependable sources of water, healthy places to recreate, and vibrant communities to live and work, while broadly supporting human well-being.

The Conservation Fund in partnership with Nature Conservancy Canada invested $1.1 million in the Big Trout Bay property in Neebing, Ontario.  The property boasts more than 2,500 acres of undisturbed habitat along 12 miles of pristine shoreline that supports several rare plant species such as inland bluegrass, western cliff fern and Missouri goldenrod. Its high-quality coastal cliff habitat and dense forests provide a home for wildlife species like the bald eagle and peregrine falcon. The property has one of the highest concentrations of species and natural communities in the Great Lakes region. Six miles of hiking trails provide hikers with spectacular views of the Lake Superior shoreline.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Outcomes:

• Environmental Certification of Land
• Nutrient Reduction
• Carbon Sequestration

The Platform will host a quarterly webinar series which will showcase participating projects and organizations as well as new developments in impact finance.

Sign up for PLATFORM NEWS to receive upcoming webinar details and information about projects and investment opportunities.

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Appreciation Day
September 7, 2020

Great Lakes Legislative Caucus - Virtual Meeting
October 9, 2020

Great Lakes Water Infrastructure Conference
December 1-3, 2020
Novi, Michigan
Presentation by Dave Naftzger, GSGP Executive Director

Council on Infrastructure Financing Authorities Semi-annual Meeting
April 7-8, 2021
Washington, DC

US Water Alliance One Water Summit
May 2-4, 2020
Milwaukee, Wisconsin