FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BEAVER ISLAND, MI — The Great Lakes Islands Alliance (GLIA) will host its sixth annual Great Lakes Islands Summit on September 21–24, 2025, on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. The event brings together island leaders, residents, researchers, and partners from across the Great Lakes region and beyond for four days of peer learning, networking, and shared problem-solving. With a program that includes presentations, workshops, field trips, and community events, the Summit is a unique opportunity to explore both the challenges and opportunities of life on islands.
GLIA is proud to announce that Jennifer Valiulis will serve as keynote speaker for this year’s Summit. Valiulis will be visiting from the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. A wildlife biologist by training, Valiulis serves as Executive Director of the St. Croix Environmental Association. The mission of Association is to “is to promote the conservation of environmental resources, provide education and advocate for environmentally responsible actions that benefit St. Croix.” Her work spans ten years and multiple countries, with expertise in rapid ecological assessments, habitat modeling with the Geographic Information System and remote sensing, invasive species management, and sustainable development consulting. As a wildlife biologist for the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Valiulis collaborated with public and private sector partners to minimize environmental impacts through sustainable design. She has managed the Sea Turtle Nesting Project at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, and is active in the reintroduction of endangered species such as the St. Croix Ground Lizard.
Additionally, Valiulis currently serves as co-Chair of the Climate Strong Islands Network (CSIN), a group which helps amplify the voices of islands at a national and international scale. Her keynote will reflect GLIA’s growing partnership with CSIN and its intention to strengthen relationships with island communities experiencing similar challenges worldwide.
“Despite differences in size and location, we’ve found that all islands have things in common,” said GLIA Coordinator Matt Preisser. “Whether it is geographic isolation, limited resources, a range of environmental threats, balancing tourism and development, or working collaboratively with mainland decision-makers…. the lessons we can learn from each other are powerful. Islands are islands, and bringing someone like Jennifer to the table broadens our perspective in meaningful ways.”
The GLIA Islands Summit is open to participants from the United States, Canada, and sovereign Tribal Nations and First Nations, with content that includes environmental stewardship, workforce housing, education, arts & culture, economic development, emergency planning, and healthcare access. Registration and sponsorship details are available now at glialliance.org.
GLIA wishes to acknowledge its major event sponsors to date: the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation; the Charlevoix County Community Foundation; Bob and Alana Anderson; the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Richard Linn. GLIA is actively seeking additional sponsors to support the Summit and its mission. Sponsorship levels range from as little as $250 to as much as $10,000, with benefits including brand visibility, promotional materials in attendee packets, speaking opportunities, and multiple Summit registrations.
About GLIA
Great Lakes Islands Alliance (GLIA) is a voluntary, multinational, collaborative network that brings together individuals from year-round island communities across the Great Lakes. GLIA fosters cross-island collaboration to address shared challenges such as housing, transportation, climate resilience, and economic prosperity. With members representing island communities in the U.S. and Canada, GLIA serves as a grassroots-driven network promoting stewardship, sustainability, and cultural exchange.
Media Contact:
Philip Rice, Communications Specialist
price@stewardshipnetwork.org