On the Water Updates

On Saturday, August 24th  MUCC’s On the Water program(OTW) sponsored and funded by a Planet Award through the Consumer’s Energy Foundation teamed up with Three Shores CISMA to complete a successful invasive species pull. Starting at 9 am 15 volunteers showed up at Munuscong State Forest Campground to pull invasive European Frogbit from the Munuscong River. In just 3 short hours these volunteers were able to pull about 1,400 pounds of invasive European Frogbit!  Having community events like this are extremely important. It brings awareness about the invasive aquatic problems that are in local communities and helps out the environment. Every single effort put forth to help the environment makes a difference.

European Frogbit is a fast-growing plant that grows into mats preventing light from reaching the submerged plants. Once it dies and decomposes it reduces the dissolved oxygen levels in that body of water which can harm the fish population in that area. These dense mats of European Frogbit also impede recreational boaters and the basic use of waterways.  The two best control methods to date are hand pulling and herbicide application. Prevention is key to stopping the spread of European Frogbit. Here are the following tips that you can implement in everyday life.

• Learn how to properly identify European Frogbit and report it
• Clean boats, fishing gear, clothing, shoes when working or recreating in or near an infestation
• Avoid using European Frogbit in your water garden or landscaping

We would like to thank all of our great volunteers that donated their Saturday to invasive species removal.OTW is an amazing way to get outdoors and make a difference in local watersheds in the state of Michigan. We have two events coming up in September that we would love to see you at! Watersheds directly affect you and your community whether it is the water you drink or the lake you fish in. Come on out and do your part in keeping your local watershed clean and pristine.

–Lake Lansing Beach Clean-Up September 7th at 9 am register here

We are partnering with the Lake Lansing Unit of Ingham County Parks to help clean up the beach after Labor Day Festivities. The average United States resident creates over 4 pounds of trash per day and up to 56 tons of trash per year. Everyone loves to spend a day on the water come Labor Day weekend, but what about all of the trash that is left behind? That’s where our local volunteers(that means you) come in to play! Come out and pick up some trash before the big MSU game to help your favorite beach spot look as pristine as ever.

-Fall Stewardship Day Event at Shiawassee River at 9 am register here

Join MI Birds, MI DNR, and Michigan United Conservation Clubs On the Water Program this International Clean-up day to help remove trash from this watershed and Important Bird Area. This year’s World Migratory Bird Day theme was to ‘be the solution to plastics pollution’ and we need your help to keep our marsh birds, water birds, and waterfowl safe!

If you would like to attend any of these events please register online prior to the event and you will receive a free reusable water bottle and lunch! All are welcome to join us for a great day of volunteering before the snow begins to fall.

We are looking to make connections in your community please contact Emma Nehan at enehan@mucc.org if you would like to coordinate a volunteer event soon! For more information and to register, please visit mucc.org/on-the-water