Foundation grantmaking focuses on four major program areas. These programs touch upon a number of major issues. Each grantmaking program also works within clearly stated geographic parameters or regions.
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Stormwater runoff is one of the most serious problems confronting freshwater ecosystems across the United States, as contaminants washed from roads, rooftops, construction sites, and residential and commercial properties degrade the quality of our freshwater resources. River Network is a national leader in efforts to address this pollution by educating freshwater groups about the Clean Water Act and its water quality protection programs. With previous support, the network assisted local partners in tackling stormwater issues and associated wetlands protection challenges, while increasing the groups' collective expertise of the Clean Water Act. With renewed funding, the network will continue its work in the Great Lakes and Southeast to strengthen stormwater policies and permits, maximize the use of stimulus funding for water infrastructure, and increase the watershed community's understanding of the Clean Water Act.
Georgia ranks third in the nation for aquatic biodiversity, and the state's waterways provide a range of other social benefits from recreation to drinking water. At the same time, a number of factors threaten the health of Georgia's rivers, including the growing water demands throughout the state and particularly Atlanta, the region's largest metro area. The Georgia River Network, a statewide organization serving the needs of Georgia's river groups, will participate in, and lead efforts to, positively influence the outcome of water management policy discussions at the metro, state, and interstate levels. This will include leadership roles in two coalitions working on such issues, one at the state level and the other at the interstate level.
Based in Atlanta, the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper is a leader at the local, state, and regional levels on water management policy reform efforts. With prior Mott support, the riverkeeper has promoted sustainable water policies and programs that ensure adequate supplies of clean water for both human and aquatic communities. Over the next two years, the riverkeeper will continue to engage in such work with a focus on advancing water conservation and efficiency, defining metro Atlanta's future water needs, monitoring proposed water supply projects, and promoting healthy ecological river flows.
The Mott Foundation's domestic environmental grantmaking focuses on Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems in the Great Lakes basin and a large portion of southeastern United States.
Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. American Rivers, a Mott grantee, preserves, protects and restores thousands of miles of U.S. rivers.
The Great Lakes are featured in “Waterlife,” a film highlighting the beauty of the lakes as well as the threats facing “the last great supply of freshwater on earth.” Great Lakes United, a Mott grantee, was influential in the film’s development.
This Nature Conservancy video highlights the Northern Great Lakes Forest Project (a.k.a. “Big U.P. Deal”). The Conservancy, a Mott grantee, developed this public-private project to protect more than 271,000 acres in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) through a working forest easement.