Update from the OTW program

lschultz • July 30, 2019

MUCC’s On the Water program(OTW) sponsored and funded by a Planet Award through the Consumer’s Energy Foundation has been busy making local connections and networking around the state. We have had three successful trash clean up events so far. One at Clinton River in Rochester and one at Red Cedar River on MSU’s campus. Collectively at these two events over 500 lbs of trash was collected and 70 volunteers have participated in cleaning up their local watersheds. For the third event, we teamed up with the Huron-Manistee National Forest and Steelhead Manifesto to host the fifth annual Big Manistee River Clean-Up in the Huron-Manistee Forest at the High Bridge Boat Launch. Over 40 volunteers showed up to give back to their local community and watershed. About 200 pounds of trash was collected by these hard-working volunteers. This included plastic water bottles, pop cans, metal ladders, fishing rods and much more.

The hard work and dedication that these volunteers contribute to Michigan’s watersheds demonstrate how much Michiganders care about the water that surrounds their homes and communities.

OTW has some upcoming events that we would love for you to attend, come help out your local watershed and community. 

-Munuscong River European Frogtbit Pull August 24th at 9 am register here

We will be partnering with Three Shores CISMA to help eradicate the invasive species European Frogbit. European Frogbit was unintentionally released in Lake Superior in the 1970s and has spread to Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and the Saint Lawerence Seaway. It grows in thick patches that make it hard for birds and fish to move through along with blocking light to native aquatic plants.

– 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. 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 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!

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

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