The Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region has experienced major ecological changes over time, and new environmental challenges continue to arise. The impacts of climate change are already evident in warmer water, longer ice-free season, earlier spring runoff, changing water levels and resulting habitat alterations and impacts to water quality and ecological processes. Through collaboration and sound science, upper Midwest and Great Lakes communities can ensure a sustainable landscape that supports fish, wildlife, habitat and people in the face of these 21st century challenges.

The Upper Midwest and Great Lakes LCC is part of a broad network of 22 LCCs that crosses state, international, and jurisdictional boundaries. These collaborative partnerships are vested in a conservation mission no single agency or natural resources organization can undertake alone.

The Upper Midwest and Great Lakes LCC brings together key stakeholders to identify gaps in our current body of scientific knowledge, and, to build a solid foundation for natural resources managers to make on-the-ground conservation and management decisions today and in the future. The LCC facilitates dialogue among federal, state, non-governmental, academic and private interests to build a collaborative network of knowledge, establish shared priorities, provide support for cutting-edge research, and share results and recommendations. This network of knowledge equips natural resources managers with the tools needed to prepare for and address current and future stressors impacting the natural resources of this ecologically diverse and economically important landscape.