Ecosystems are the plant and animal communities living together in a given area.
In the Great Lakes Region, major ecosystem types include forests, savannas, prairies, wetlands, dunes, and open water. Each supports an intricate mix of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Region 5 works to preserve ecological diversity on many fronts, typically in close coordination with the States and other Federal agencies, such as the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army Corps of Engineers. When settling enforcement cases, EPA may encourage the settling parties to give something back to the community where the violation occurred. Today, it's known as the Grey Cloud Dune Prairie.