A Resource for All of Michigan

Lake Huron’s coastline contains the largest remaining areas of Great Lakes coastal wetlands and lake plain prairie in existence today. These relatively small patches of land serve as vital pathways for maintaining our rich natural habitats.

Lake Huron itself is the second largest of the Great Lakes and the fifth largest freshwater lake in the world. It has the longest shoreline of all the Great Lakes in addition to the shores provided by 30,000 islands. About 1.5 million people in Michigan get their drinking water from this important source.

The Lake Huron basin is home to thousands of species of birds, waterfowl, plants, fish and animals, including many that are endangered and threatened. The region’s open spaces, dense forests, natural wetlands and clean water provide the critical habitat necessary for maintaining these populations. Every year, we lose more natural areas and the habitats of many animals continue to shrink, sometimes disappearing entirely.

As habitat degrades, so does water quality. Lake Huron relies heavily on its tributaries, many of which have been severely degraded because of sedimentation, pollution and poor land use practices. Wetlands serve as natural filters for pollutants. Without these important natural areas, the beauty we know in this region would disappear.