OTG Volunteers Needed: Annual Manistee River Cleanup

Americorps • June 19, 2024

With the hot weather we’ve been having lately, summer is the perfect time to get in the water and participate in our Annual Manistee River Cleanup! On Saturday, July 13, 2024, from 9 AM – 12 PM , MUCC’s On the Ground program will be partnering with Steelhead Manifesto for their annual cleanup of the Manistee River.

Event Details

Volunteers will meet at the High Bridge Boat Launch in Brethren, MI ( 4311 N High Bridge Rd, Brethren, MI 49619 ). We will gather at the boat launch where volunteers will sign in, then we will head out on the river. Volunteers will clean up trash and other items either by boat or by walking along the riverbanks. MUCC will provide work gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and any other necessary equipment. Lunch and a free appreciation gift will also be provided to all registered volunteers. Registration closes on July 12 at 12 PM, so don’t wait! To register and for more information, click HERE.

About the Manistee River

The Manistee River is located in the northwestern portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and partially within the Manistee National Forest. It is a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and is well known for its excellent fishing and recreational opportunities. This river supports a high-quality steelhead, chinook, and coho salmon fishery, as well as great populations of brown trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye. There are also a variety of habitats found along the Manistee River including backwater bayous, riparian areas, and mature forest communities. These habitats are home to a diverse number of wildlife species including the red-shouldered hawk, a species of special concern in Michigan.

The river supports many recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, canoeing, wildlife viewing, hiking, and hunting. There are eight developed river access sites along the Manistee River, making it easily accessible for many people. Commercial guided fishing is one of the most popular activities on the river. Walleye and pike fishing is also very popular throughout the summer months.

Learn More

Want to learn more about the work On the Ground is doing? Check out our website for upcoming events and more at mucc.org/on-the-ground. We hope to see you at the Manistee River Cleanup or any of our future projects this year!

Recent Posts

By Olivia Triltsch May 21, 2026
On Friday, May 15, 2026, high school students who are part of the Reese High Outdoors Club joined MUCC’s On the Ground Junior program and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the Denmark Township Mini State Game Area. Students completed a wildlife habitat improvement project by clearing a grassland habitat of invasive woody growth maintained for pheasants. Using the cut vegetation from the area, students constructed several large brush piles throughout the site to benefit small mammals and other wildlife in the area. Maintaining open grassland habitat is important for supporting species that rely on early successional cover for cover or feeding. Due to suppression of natural disturbances, active management helps to control woody vegetation from gradually overtaking the areas and reducing habitat quality for species that rely on the grassland. The project area is near fields planted by the DNR to provide both habitat and food sources for wildlife, making these improvements part of a larger habitat management effort on the property. In total, students directly improved 10 acres of wildlife habitat through this project. Beyond the on-the-ground impact, the event also allowed students to try a hands-on conservation experience and the ability to contribute to habitat management and public land stewardship in Michigan. Projects like this continue to demonstrate the value of engaging the next generation in Michigan's outdoor heritage and wildlife conservation efforts.
By Olivia Triltsch May 7, 2026
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, a group of dedicated volunteers joined Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, Huron Pines, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and MUCC's OTG program in planting approximately 4,800 jack pine saplings within the Grayling Forest Management Unit in Crawford County. Jack pines are a critical nesting habitat feature for the once-threatened Kirtland’s warbler. In total, volunteers directly impacted about 7 acres of land were prepared by the Michigan DNR for this planting to allow volunteers to maximize their efforts across the land. This is one of our annual events that is perfect for helpers of all ages and interests.
May 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) announces its decision to dissolve after nearly 90 years of conservation advocacy, citing ongoing financial challenges and outlining next steps in an orderly wind-down process.
More Posts