Supporting the

Your donation helps deliver critical weather and marine data to keep drinking water safe; guide boaters, surfers, fishers, and swimmers; prevent drownings; and steer lake freighters clear of stormy waters.

Levels of Support

Squawk Squad ($5/month or $50/year):

Flock Shout-Out: Your name will soar on our website’s supporter list.
Seasonal Giveaways: 1 entry into our quarterly raffle for a chance to win lake-inspired swag or weather/marine gear.

Wave Watcher ($10/month or $100/year):

All Squawk Squad Benefits + GLOS Sticker Pack
Seasonal Giveaways: 2 entries into the raffle for a better shot at grabbing the goodies

Coast Keeper ($25/month or $250/year):

All Wave Watcher Benefits + snazzy headwear
Early Access: Be among the first to test new Seagull features before public release
Seasonal Giveaways: 3 entries into the raffle for an increased chance to win.

Wing Warden ($50/month or $500/year):

All Coast Keeper Benefits + snuggly sweater
Beta Bird Testing: Get exclusive access to test new Seagull versions and share your squawks to shape the app.
Seasonal Giveaways: 4 entries into the raffle for a strong chance to snag awesome prizes.

Sky Skipper ($100/month or $1000/year):

All Wing Warden Benefits + Complimentary invitations to GLOS/Seagull events + Special recognition for your support
Feature Feathers: Suggest ideas for future app updates, helping build our nest with new features.
Seasonal Giveaways: 6 entries into the raffle for the best chance to win.

*If you donate before January 1, 2026 you are eligible for all “Support Seagull Campaign” benefits. In order to qualify for donor benefits, donors must still complete a minimum of three successful monthly recurring payments at the selected donation amount or a minimum of $50 one-time annual payment. Your ad-free Seagull account will be activated shortly after payment, but other benefits will not be available until three months from the date of first donation. Benefits expire 1 year after the last successful donation payment.

“It’s invaluable to the angling community….it saves everybody time and effort. It’s incredible what you can know ahead of time before you head out on the water. I’d like to see it expanded."Scott Heintzelman | Manistee, MI | Fisheries Manager at Michigan Department of Natural Resources

“The information given by these buoys is critical in our go/no-go decision [making] process.”Anonymous User

“I use [lake] information even a day ahead of time…As captains, our number one job is to make sure our guests are safe.”Mike | Sheboygan, WI | Charter Boat Captain

“The Great Lakes are the US and Canada’s greatest asset. What makes the Great Lakes strong is the ability to work and share together for the greater good. GLOS makes this possible.”Guy Meadows | Houghton, MI | Researcher at Michigan Technological University

“Buoys provide more predictability and understanding of exact lake conditions for safer, more successful boating and fishing trips.”Matt | Holland, MI | Boater

Value of GLOS

The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is a charitable, tax-exempt organization. As a nonprofit, GLOS relies on funding from grants and donations to execute our mission, led by our core values.

Your donation supports getting valuable insights on lake conditions in the hands of Great Lakes users and researchers via our data platform Seagull.

The Great Lakes contain a fifth of the world’s surface freshwater.

We’re working toward a future for Great Lakes information that best protects the shared waters of the tens of millions that call the Great Lakes home.

GLOS’ and partners’ observation assets spread across all five Great Lakes.

Monitoring and protecting the Great Lakes
Help us tackle the greatest threats facing the region and the millions of people that rely on them.

Harmful Algal Blooms

Since 2015, with support from Ohio EPA and the US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), GLOS, with a wide range of partners, has worked to procure, deploy, and/or integrate data from water quality instrumentation to provide real-time HABs-related data to stakeholders.

Severe Weather Indicators

GLOS is at the forefront of observing and collecting the necessary information to monitor for and alert to severe weather conditions. This includes water level and ice cover data. Collecting and making historical data easily accessible is key to making accurate predictions and adapting to our changing environments.

Beach Safety

People access the waters of the Great Lakes in many ways, but it is at the physical shoreline, on the beaches, where the majority of us come into direct contact with the lakes. Although beautiful, the lakes can be dangerous. GLOS is attempting to enhance and expand the way people can access weather and water information, to better inform recreational beachgoers, to give everyone the tools they need to be safe and maybe save lives.

GLOS supports llifeguard programs, safety signage, and emergency response systems at Great Lakes beaches, and all initiatives that ensure clean and safe beaches.

MTU student Hayden Henderson and CODAR engineer Mike Garcia test the HF Radar in 2020.

Deploying small (spotter) buoy into the water.

an aerial photo shows bright green algae covering the water

Feature Your Business

Join as a featured Beacon Bird and let your brand glow like a soaring bird lighting up the coasts in the Seagull app!

Featured Beacon Bird:

Flock Fame: Your business’s logo, name, and details will be prominently displayed in the Seagull app. These beacons are visible to thousands of users everyday.
Wing-Worthy Mentions: Get highlighted in app updates and on our website as a key flock supporter.

Perfect for:

Marinas
Kayak & paddleboard rentals
Bait & tackle shops
Lakeside restaurants
Environmental organizations

Interested? Contact us for pricing details.

Contact Seagull

Other ways to support GLOS

Please contact with any ideas you have to help us promote safety, security, and sustainability in the Great Lakes.