The Great Lakes region has often been forced to respond to environmental crises only after they are already underway—whether invasive species, toxic contamination, infrastructure failures, or governance challenges that leave communities scrambling to react. The Great Lakes Horizon Initiative (GLHI) is designed to help the region shift from reacting to crises to anticipating them and moving toward sustainable solutions.

The inaugural horizon scanning effort is now underway. Guiding this process is the 2026 Horizon Scan Board, composed of Great Lakes leaders in science, policy, business, and advocacy. Drawing on insights from the Great Lakes Horizon Scan Survey as well as literature and media scans, the board will identify the 5-10 highest priority emerging issues for the region to collectively prepare for and address.

After the top emerging issues are selected, the second phase of GLHI will convene and engage regional stakeholders and rightholders to identify what is currently known, where critical gaps exist, and what tangible next steps are needed for action planning around. The resulting reports and resources will provide practical guidance to help the region prepare for emerging challenges and opportunities. At the pilot 2025 Horizon Scanning Workshop, gaps in Great Lakes governance emerged as a key concern. In response, the Water Center has begun conversations with stakeholders and rightholders to explore what the future of Great Lakes governance could look like.

Because the environmental and policy landscape is constantly evolving, the plan is to repeat the Great Lakes Horizon Scan process is intended to be repeated every 2-3 years, with each cycle including both horizon scanning and collaborative planning. The long-term goal is to create an ongoing, inclusive process for identifying emerging issues and coordinating action so that the communities and ecosystems of the Great Lakes watershed can persist - and thrive - for generations to come.