Charting the Currents of Great Lakes Science
Connecting data and technology across the Great Lakes research ecosystem.
Smart Great Lakes (SGL) is a connective platform advancing the discoverability and impact of Great Lakes science. Our curated resources, collaborative initiatives, and knowledge-sharing opportunities bring together the leading researchers and ideas in the Great Lakes technological landscape.
Why the Great Lakes Matter
A globally significant freshwater system facing increasingly complex challenges.
The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world, supporting tens of millions of people, diverse environments, regional economies, and critical infrastructure across two nations. Research and monitoring efforts throughout the region generate an enormous amount of environmental data and technological innovation.
Yet much of this work remains fragmented across institutions, disciplines, jurisdictions, and platforms. As new technologies—including remote sensing, modelling systems, and artificial intelligence—rapidly reshape the research landscape, there is an ongoing need for stronger coordination and collaboration.
Smart Great Lakes helps bridge these gaps by connecting emerging knowledge and key stakeholders across the Great Lakes region.
What We Do
Curate Resources
SGL connects users to existing datasets, monitoring platforms, tools, technologies, and regional initiatives through a curated and evolving network of resources. Rather than duplicating existing systems, SGL helps improve discoverability and access across the ecosystem.
Support Collaboration
SGL fosters collaboration among researchers, agencies, NGOs, Indigenous partners, technologists, and other stakeholders through workshops, community engagement, project visibility, and shared opportunities for knowledge exchange.
Translate Complexity
As technologies and methodologies evolve, SGL works to support clearer understanding across systems, standards, and disciplines by sharing guidance, emerging practices, and accessible contextual information.
Explore the Ecosystem
Resources
Access curated links to monitoring systems, environmental datasets, mapping tools, and regional research infrastructure.
Community
Participate in webinars, workshops, and professional development opportunities that strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Projects
Discover current and past initiatives, collaborative efforts, and regionally significant work taking place across the Great Lakes ecosystem.
