Ann Arbor, MI —The National Wildlife Federation is supporting Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plans, announced today, to make Michigan a leader in protecting clean drinking water, restoring the Great Lakes, and confronting climate change. Gov. Whitmer is reorganizing the Department of Environmental Quality to create the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. Under her leadership, Michigan is also joining the U.S. Climate Alliance. The administration is also elevating issues of environmental justice.

Mike Shriberg, Great Lakes regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, made the following statement in support:

“These moves by Gov. Whitmer could be a game-changer. This reorganization will benefit people and wildlife—and signals that Michigan is ready to be a leader in efforts to protect our drinking water and Great Lakes, while confronting the biggest conservation threat of our time, climate change. Michigan’s water resources, including our majestic Great Lakes, are our most important natural resource, supporting our state’s people, health, fish and wildlife, economy and way of life. They face threats from contaminants like PFAS and lead, aquatic invasive species like Asian carp and quagga mussels, pollution threats from toxic algae, aging oil pipelines, failing sewer systems and mining runoff, challenges to the Great Lakes Compact, and the growing impacts of climate change. We look forward to working with Gov. Whitmer, the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and Michigan legislators to address these challenges and protect our waters, wildlife, and way of life for current and future generations of Michiganders.”