We strive to develop cooperative relationships that advance water quality and nurture Northern Michigan’s local economy. With input from local, regional and state sources – such as governments, nonprofits, funders, program participants and residents – the Watershed Council is able to address the needs of the communities we serve.

Botulism has been identified as a problem for fish and birds in Lakes Ontario, Erie, and Michigan. Remove dead birds and fish immediately, to prevent the spread of botulism, as the bacteria in the carcasses can serve as the source of outbreaks for months. Please review the guidelines on our website for handling carcasses and…

WAVE provides technical and financial support for groups demonstrating the importance of water resource stewardship at the local level. Create a group of friends, family, coworkers, or anyone and focus on your neighborhood river/lake or explore somewhere new. Protect or enhance water quality, water conservation, or habitat and include education.

Do streams potentially impact the water quality of the lakes that they flow into? Should they be monitored? We at the Watershed Council think so and have thus, embarked upon a new voyage up into the streams that feed into our pristine lakes, with volunteer crews willing and ready to monitor in unfamiliar, yet ecologically…

If you’d like to get involved in a more hands-on way, our Grand Rapids Office has many volunteer opportunities available. We have options to fit all kinds of different preferences and schedules. Whether you’re more interested in data entry or building and grounds maintenance, dropping in once a week or working a special event, we…