On the Water (OTW) was MUCC’s volunteer watershed-specific habitat improvement program. It was launched in the spring of 2019 and was fully-funded by the Consumers Energy Foundation. While the program has not received funding since 2020, MUCC still hosts multiple aquatic habitat improvement events each year through the On the Ground (OTG) program. OTW was designed to have a positive impact on freshwater habitats throughout the state and to connect and engage Michigan residents to their natural resources by sharing the importance of freshwater.
In 2019 and 2020, OTW engaged over 650 volunteers, cleaned-up 1,872 acres of watersheds, removed 8,665 pounds of trash and 1,510 pounds of invasive aquatic vegetation. The OTW program will be leaving behind a positive and everlasting impact on the watersheds and communities throughout the state of Michigan. The environment and natural resources of Michigan will still have long-term ecological benefits from the completion of this project and the overall program. OTW would like to thank the Consumers Energy Foundation for its dedication to conservation and willingness to reach broad user groups through freshwater clean-ups.