An environmental coalition is giving out about $190,000 to help groups take part in Great Lakes restoration efforts.

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition says the grants announced this week will help 12 conservation groups participate in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The initiative got $475 million in funding last year.

Grants of up to $15,000 per project are being given out for the St. Louis Bay and the St. Louis River near Lake Superior; the Chicago area of Lake Michigan; Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay; western Lake Erie; and eastern Lake Ontario

A panel of Great Lakes scientists advised the coalition in its selection of what it calls priority areas.

A list of groups getting grants and the projects is on the coalition's website.