The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the agency is hosting a series of regional workgroup meetings to engage with the public about New York's Great Lakes Action Agenda 2023 (GLAA). The workgroups will assist in the implementation of the action plan to guide restoration and conservation and foster sustainable, resilient communities across New York's Great Lakes region.  

“Engaging New York’s Great Lakes Basin communities’ participation is critical to DEC’s ongoing efforts to safeguard water quality, improve fish and wildlife habitat, and enhance sustainability and resiliency in the region. The regional workgroup meetings announced today will help foster ongoing collaboration across New York’s Great Lakes communities," Commissioner Seggos said. "The cross-cutting priorities in the 2023 Great Lakes Action Agenda reflect New York's commitment to inclusion and engagement of diverse stakeholders and historically underserved and disadvantaged communities while also ensuring present and future generations of New Yorkers are able to enjoy the Great Lakes for years to come." 

Announced in July 2023, the Action Agenda is a strategic ecosystem-based action plan to guide restoration and conservation and help communities in New York’s Great Lakes Basin better prepare for flooding and severe weather events driven by climate change. Building on the foundation of the first GLAA released in 2014, the updated plan provides a shared vision and blueprint for achieving healthy Great Lakes lands and waters through coordinated, collective action by the many federal, state, and local partner organizations working throughout the watershed.  

The GLAA is supported by the State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) under the Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act and is administered through DEC's Great Lakes Program with collaborating stakeholders and partners. The EPF is a critical resource for environmental programs such as climate change mitigation, land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. Among the many environmental victories in the 2023-24 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul maintained EPF funding at $400 million, the highest level of funding in the program's history. 

The upcoming workgroup meetings will be held within the four major Great Lakes sub-basin areas.  

Southeast Lake Ontario: 
Nov. 29, 1 – 4 p.m. - McCrobie Civic Center, 21 Lake St., Oswego  

Northeast Lake Ontario / Saint Lawrence River: 
Nov. 30, 1 – 4 p.m. - Massena Town Hall – 3rd floor conference room (elevator available), 60 Main St., Massena

Lake Erie:
Dec. 4, 1 – 4 p.m. - Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo

Southwest (SW) Lake Ontario
Dec. 5, 1 – 4 p.m. - Seymour Library, 161 East Ave., Brockport

GLAA Sub-Basin Workgroup Boundaries are identified in the map attached.

Individuals and organizations interested in advancing actions that benefit New York’s Great Lakes waters, lands, and communities are encouraged to attend. The workgroups will offer connections with organizations that may provide technical assistance, subject matter expertise, and information about funding opportunities and other resources; advancing local projects and partnerships; and learning about available funding programs and other support resources. A remote option to attend will also be made available by request. 

To learn more about DEC’s Great Lakes Program and subscribe to the Great Lakes News, Funding, and Events Updates listserv for future sub-basin work group updates, visit DEC’s website. To learn more on how to get involved, contact greatlakes@dec.ny.gov.