New York’s Great Lakes lands and waters, including Lake Erie, Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River, are a part of the Great Lakes ecosystem in the US and Canada which holds 21% of the world’s freshwater resources, contains 250 different species of fish, and is recognized as a national treasure. These important land and water resources are vital to our quality of life, and a great asset to anyone who lives in or visits the area.