Human well-being is inextricably linked to the quality of the environment, and urban areas bring this fact into sharp focus as historic disregard for the environment and modern development pressures create great challenges. The Foundation responds to these challenges by making grants to organizations that address environmental issues in Northeast Ohio. In addition, we support efforts to restore and preserve the Lake Erie ecosystem. Within the broad range of environmental issues, the Foundation focuses on promoting alternatives to urban sprawl, decreasing energy consumption and waste, conserving ecosystems and biodiversity, reducing environmental health hazards, increasing public awareness of environmental issues and building the skills of nonprofit environmental leaders.