The Great Lakes basin is one of the most historically important, biologically diverse and culturally visible places in the world. The environmental challenges faced by basin communities are complex. The sprawl of suburbia, in and around the waterfront, and the associated potential run-off effects are just some of the many issues worth monitoring. There is one simple way you can help: Support Great Lakes Aid (GLA) and plan to attend our inaugural concert in 2007.

Concerts generate a lot of publicity, and plenty of money too. In short, that's what makes this proposal different from many others - we've developed an income-generating program that will enable us to distribute grants (once we've gotten over the start up phase). In short, your investment today will be paying cost-free dividends for years to come. GLA will be an actual foundation - our steering committee is already working on grant-making policies and standards - and GLA will handle the concerts, promotion and event management.

Concerts are fun - more people get involved when helping becomes fun - and with the help of the individuals from Great Lakes environmental organizations such as Great Lakes United, The Nature Conservancy, the Lake Michigan Federation, the National Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Chicago River, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and others, GLA’s party is just beginning! But we're not just here for the fun…here is what we intend to accomplish:

    * Raise awareness about environmental issues that affect everyone's hometown and region. Letting people know they have a choice - that their efforts can affect the world around them.

    * Establishment of a strong, collaborative infrastructure for conservation groups in the region covered by Great Lakes Aid events. By working together (each group remaining independent, but sharing ideas and programs) the GLA Coalition would develop media releases, advertising, events, and collaborative policy-changing programs that directly benefit Great Lakes communities.

    * Create a template for other such regional efforts, to be coordinated by our national partner, the Alliance for Sustainable Communication.

     * Create a continuous source of money - funds raised by the concert series that would be available for use in or granting to grassroots community conservation efforts.

Our highly visible name will generate interest, and the GLA team will help to "route" inquiries to grassroots member groups - ensuring that every article, commercial or media mention of GLA can have a direct, positive impact on a Great Lakes community.