From OHIO LAKE ERIE COMMISSION
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission has announced a new round of investments in the protection and stewardship of Lake Erie through both the Lake Erie Protection Fund and the Lake Erie Community Grant program awards.
Through these grants, OLEG is supporting community-based initiatives that collectively strengthen the long-term health, sustainability, and economic vitality of communities in the Lake Erie watershed.
“Community-driven work is essential to protecting Lake Erie,” said Joy Mulinex, executive director of OLEC. “These awards underscore the commission’s commitment to fostering partnerships and investing in projects that deliver measurable benefits for Ohio’s Great Lake.”
2026 Lake Erie Protection Fund grants awarded
Funded in part through the Lake Erie license plate program, LEPF supports research and on-the-ground projects aimed at protecting, preserving, and restoring Lake Erie and its watershed. Projects must advance the goals of the 2025 Lake Erie Protection and Restoration Plan. The grants went to:
West Creek Conservancy
Awarded $50,000 for its project, Red Creek – Grant River Confluence Restoration, supporting a Phase II study on 103 acres to prepare for remediation and restoration.
Wood Soil & Water Conservation District
Awarded $20,460 for its project, Watershed Planning in Western Lake Erie, supporting development of three Non-Point Source Watershed Implementation Strategies to identify future projects in the Maumee River and/or Portage River watersheds.
Holden Forests and Gardens
Awarded $44,580 for its project, Chagrin River Riparian Habitat Enhancement, supporting invasive species treatment along two miles of the Chagrin River and in the Brainard Fen to protect high-quality habitat.
2026 Lake Erie Community Grant recipient announced
OLEC has also awarded the first large grant for the LECG, empowering local organizations, municipalities, and community groups to lead education, stewardship, and on-the-ground restoration activities throughout the watershed. The $750,000 funding award went to:
Cleveland Museum of Natural History for its Mentor Marsh Restoration project, which will help restore the hydrology and native plant community within this coastal marsh ecosystem and help address non-point source runoff to 801 acres of critical coastal resources.
The application process for the next round of LECG funding is now open for the 2026 grant cycle, with applications due by April 30. Eligible applicants can apply for funding to support community-driven projects that protect and improve Lake Erie, promote education, and build community engagement in the Lake Erie watershed.
Funding is available for approximately 12 smaller grants of up to $75,000 and two larger grants of up to $750,000. Interested applicants can access the grant guidelines, application materials, and guidance on the OLEC website.
Posted by: Lindsay-Jo Douglas on March 23, 2026.
Last revised by: Jan Larson McLaughlin