Want to spend a fun day floating down the river while at the same time helping the environment?
Then join us on one of our river cleanup days this summer!
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Great Lakes Commission have announced that grant funds will be awarded to the Antrim and Kalkaska Conservation Districts to conduct cleanups on the Jordan and Manistee Rivers.
Michigan’s Volunteer River, Stream, and Creek Cleanup Program provides grants to local units of government to clean and improve Michigan waterways. Local governments partner with nonprofits and citizen volunteers to remove trash and other debris from streams and stream banks. Removal of natural materials like fallen trees, branches, and rocks is not allowed to ensure continued health of the waterway.
Antrim Conservation District’s cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2018 on the Jordan River from Graves Crossing to Webster Bridge Road. Volunteers will meet at Graves Crossing at 9:30 AM. Canoes and lunch will be provided. Participants will be entered to WIN Paddle Antrim gear, or a half-day guided fishing trip with Brian Kozminski of True North Trout. For more information, or to register, contact Brian Talsma at (231) 753-8312 or email him at: btalsma.acd@gmail.com.
Kalkaska Conservation District’s (KCD) first cleanup day is scheduled for Friday, July 27, 2018 on the Manistee River from Yellow Trees Road to CCC Bridge. Meet at CCC Bridge Campground at 9:00 AM. Volunteers will depart the campground after a safety meeting and carpool with canoe trailers to the launch site at Yellow Trees Road. Snacks en route will be available and lunch will be provided at the end of the cleanup.
KCD’s second cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, August 4, 2018, also on the Manistee River, from Rainbow Jim Bridge to Lucas Road. Meet at Rainbow Jim Bridge at 9:00 AM. Volunteers will launch after a brief safety meeting, and will be shuttled back from Lucas Road. Snacks en route will be available and lunch will be provided at Rainbow Jim Bridge at the end of the cleanup.
Participants on each of the Manistee River Cleanups will be provided: gloves, trash bags, T-shirt, sunscreen, bug spray, snacks and lunch. A limited number of canoes and kayaks are available. These must be reserved one week prior to the event. Volunteers can bring their own canoes or kayaks and personal flotation device if they prefer.
For more information, or to register for either of the Manistee River Cleanups, contact Renee Penny at (231) 258-3307, or email her at: renee.penny@macd.org. Or you may register on-line at: kalkaskaconservation.org, and click on Events.
Hope to see you on the river this summer!
