Most Americans support conservation – here’s how the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative got politicians from both parties on board too

An analysis of one major effort shows how to get Democrats and Republicans to agree to spend billions of dollars on a decades-long environmental restoration project.

By: Mike Shriberg, University of Michigan, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 20, 2026

Words: 1,395

Last Updated: 1 month ago

Body Text Preview

By Mike Shriberg, University of Michigan

In a time of political polarization, it’s easy to forget that the vast majority of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs – 80% or more, depending on the poll – value environmental conservation. However, this support is not easily or often translated into successful, popular initiatives.

One success story is the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Since 2010, it has provided over US$5 billion to improve the quality …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us