Institute of Water Research

Project Summary

The Western Lake Erie Basin Performance-based Conservation Adoption Program is a collaborative initiative led by Michigan State University’s Institute of Water Research (IWR), in partnership with the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and the Alliance for the Great Lakes, to improve water quality and accelerate agricultural conservation across Michigan’s portion of the Western Lake Erie Basin. The project addresses phosphorus runoff from agricultural lands by implementing a performance-based conservation model that rewards measurable environmental outcomes while encouraging broader farmer participation.

The program combines watershed modeling, conservation planning, producer engagement, and performance tracking to target practices that deliver the greatest water quality benefits. By enhancing decision-support tools, expanding conservation partnerships, and measuring outcomes such as phosphorus reductions, ecosystem benefits, and acres enrolled, the project supports Michigan’s long-term nutrient reduction goals and promotes sustainable agricultural management throughout the region.