The Living Lakes Initiative (LLI) is a long-term wetland and shallow lake conservation program in the Prairie Pothole Region. From 2010 to 2024, LLI delivered 6,263 acres of restoration, 138,937 acres of enhancements, and 5,519 acres of protection—totaling 150,719 acres of conservation work. These efforts support waterfowl populations, improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and store carbon. DU plans to increase the pace and scale of delivery by 17% over the next 5 years. 5-Year Ecosystem Service Benefits (2020–2024): Carbon Sequestration / Avoided GHG: ~1,844,000 metric tons (equivalent to emissions from 430,000 passenger cars) Nutrient Removal: ~1,070,000 kg N and ~79,000 kg P Average Annual: 214,000 kg N/year and 15,800 kg P/year Sediment Removal: ~68,900 metric tons Average Annual: 13,780 metric tons/year Water Savings: ~400,000 acre-feet Total: ~493,392,000 cubic meters Average Annual: ~98,678,400 cubic meters/year