The Friends of the Shiawassee River has received a $14,400 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation supporting their Stream Team volunteer water monitoring program.

“Consumers Energy is committed to ensuring Michigan has world-class natural resources, especially the preservation and restoration of flowing waters in our home state,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, secretary/treasurer of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “As a tributary to the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay, we look forward to seeing the positive impact this contribution to the Friends of the Shiawassee River will have on the water quality of all three freshwater resources.”

The grant will support the expansion and development of the Stream Team program from Holly to St. Charles. Currently, through Stream Team efforts, the river is monitored twice annually at 10 sites along the approximately 100-mile stretch. Teams of trained leaders and interested volunteers collect, identify, and count a variety of benthic macroinvertebrates (“bugs”). Based on the number and type of macroinvertebrates collected at a testing site, a water quality rating is assigned to that stretch of the river – using standards set by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) program.

If you are interested in participating in this program please contact Sarah Baker at sbaker@shiawasseeriver.org

 

The meeting was held on Tuesday, January 22^nd at the Wrought Iron Grill.  The event focused on our 2018 highlights, special award winners, grants, a featured speaker, business/individual sponsors, and Friends’ board members.

“The Annual Meeting allows us to recognize the efforts of our organization, those who comprise it, and businesses and individuals whose efforts help us carry out our mission,” said Nick Tereck, Friends’ Board President. “We are fortunate to have so many champions.  It is important to gather together in celebration.”

The special awards were given to the following:

CARE AWARD – Keith and Diane Johnson

SHARE AWARD – Ludington Electric

ENJOY AWARD – Amy Kirkland

KEEPING THE BOAT AFLOAT AWARD – Dianne King

Because of the annual meeting’s date/time conflict with the Owosso City Council’s meeting, Amy Kirkland, who also serves as Owosso’s City Clerk, was presented with her award at the City Council meeting.

The featured speaker for the evening was Dr. Patrick Doran, Associate State Director & Director of Conservation for the Nature Conservancy in Michigan, who spoke about how the Shiawassee River connects to the Great Lakes.

“We are all rooted in place. However, our places -- like the Shiawassee -- are also part of regional and global systems, like the Great Lakes,” said Doran.  “If we can maintain our connection to place while also seeing our potential contribution to the larger world, we can vastly magnify the impact of our actions.”

Tom Cook, Friends’ Past President who also serves as a Trustee with the Nature Conservancy in Michigan, continued, “We were pleased to hear from a renowned scientist that our efforts on the Shiawassee can help make Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron healthier.  We all live downstream, and need to be good stewards for the people and wildlife that live downstream from us.”

Other acknowledgements that occurred at the meeting included the following list of 2018 business sponsors including Alderman’s, Inc., CLH Insurance, Downtown Owosso Farmers Market, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Hankerd Sportswear, J & S Tire, Ludington Electric, Mancino’s Pizza, Matador Pizza, Maurer Heating and Cooling, Oster Manufacturing, The Schluckebier/Hood Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Shiawassee County Health Department, Vogl, Meder, & Dorcey, PLLC, Waste Management, Wrought Iron Grill, Young Buick GMC, and Young Chevrolet.  A list of individual stream team site sponsors were also acknowledged, including Barb Brownlee, Gary Burk, Tom Cook & Anna Owens, Dean & Carolyn Ebert, Betsy Hull, Frank Livingston, Mike Selleck, Tom Teal & Jeannine Hopfensperger, Nick Tereck & Mike Kramer, Jim & Jillian Woodworth, and the Wrought Iron Grill.

The Friends’ Executive Director, Lorraine Austin, also gave special mention to the Friends’ 2018 board of directors including Gary Burk, Carson Colbry, Tom Cook (Past President), Mike Goergen, Betsy Hull, Joanne Kenyon (Treasurer), Frank Livingston, Karen Marumoto, Tony Newman, Lance Omer, Linda Robertson (Vice President), Nick Tereck (President), Matt Van Epps (Secretary), and Kristina Yaklin.  Certificates of Appreciation were given to Kenyon, Newman, and Yaklin as outgoing board members.

New board members, Jake Adams, Jeff Deason, and Erika Tyrell, as well as board renewals, were presented to the membership for approval. Their terms will run until 2022. 

The State of Michigan has just designated the first ever State Water Trails, and we are pleased to announce that the Shiawassee River Water Trail is among the inaugural eight. This success builds on several years of efforts by Friends of the Shiawassee River, the Keepers of the Shiawassee, the Headwater Trails, and several local governments and associations along the Shiawassee River from Holly to Chesaning. For more information click the link below.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/223bbe4?fbclid=IwAR0yBXEjxRR2zjZyQIr7lUVhB-obNOF4P7odO4aHHboRTr0rQi_hxL6eRzs

Corunna, MI – The Friends of the Shiawassee River, a nonprofit organization dedicated to help Care for, Share, and Enjoy the Shiawassee River through activities and events that support the health, public awareness, and enjoyment of the river, is pleased to announce the selection of Lorraine Austin as its new executive director. The Friends selected Lorraine after she served as the Interim Executive Director since September.

“We’re exceptionally pleased that Lorraine has taken on this leadership role,” said Nick Tereck, President of the Friends’ Board. “Her broad knowledge of science and education, coupled with years of experience working with many nonprofit organizations, both locally and elsewhere, make her well positioned to lead us going forward. Her passion and commitment to our cause coupled with the fact that she is well acquainted with our area and its residents, will enable her to plan more effectively for the future, collaborate with other organizations, and introduce innovative approaches to expand our programs.”

Austin was born and raised in Owosso and started her relationship with the Friends many years ago, first as a member, then as a Board member, and then as the organization’s Vice President.  Before becoming Executive Director, acting as Interim Executive Director, she helped orchestrate the Friends’ move to their office in Corunna, the recent Giving Tuesday/Raise Up Shiawassee effort (in which she served as co-chair for the Shiawassee County effort), and the recent Shiawassee Water Trail State Water Trail designation.

With over 30 years of experience working with nonprofits, she has worked as the Curator of Education and Public Relations at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana and the Staten Island Zoo in Staten Island, New York.  After moving back home to Michigan, she served as the Executive Director of EarthShare of Michigan, Education Marketing Coordinator at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, and with the Grand Traverse Stewardship Initiative in coordination with the Grand Traverse Conservation District.  Most recently, she has volunteered with the Downtown Owosso Farmers Market, Community Cats of Owosso, DeVries Nature Conservancy, Shiawassee Arts Council, and other local efforts.

Lorraine holds a BS in Wildlife Management from Purdue University and an MA in Education from the University of Michigan – Flint.

For more information about the Friends’ organization, visit their website at www.shiawasseeriver.org, become a member of their Facebook family, or stop by their new office at 538 N. Shiawassee Street in Corunna.

Thanks for helping us reach our #GivingTuesday goal!

Our goal was $1,800 – to support six school stream team water monitoring efforts up and down the Shiawassee for 2019.  Not only did we raise $1,820, but the Cook Family Foundation has contributed another $1,000 – to make our grand total $2,820!

    

 

Friends was just one of 17 participating nonprofit organizations that were a part of this endeavor to #raiseUPshiawassee and we wanted to share the results with you:

• Almost $72,000 raised among all of the participating organizations
• Over 200 new donors
• Approximately 80 new volunteers who expressed interest in volunteering among the organizations
• A wide variety of other benefits to the organizations, including:
  • 5 class registrations
  • 3 new members
  • 40 bags of food donations
  • 3 garbage bags full of gently used stuffed animals for children
  • 7 game/book donations
  • 2 pet adoptions and additional foster animal adoptions
  • Lots of pet food and cleaning supplies

That just goes to show that we are stronger together!

Our New office space is located at

538 N. Shiawassee St. Corunna, Mi

On October 17, 2018 Chamber Ambassadors, Friends' Board Members and City of Corunna officials gathered for a ribbon cutting. Holding the big scissors is Nick Tereck, president of the board and to his left is interim executive director, Lorraine Austin. The office is hosting an open house this Sunday, October 21st. For more information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/293202648199330/

“Thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and generous event sponsors, more than 700 tires and hundreds of pounds of garbage and debris have been removed from the river since our first cleanup more than 20 years ago” said Larry Johnson, Director of the Shiawassee County Health Department.  “This event is a great way for the community to come together and care for one of our greatest natural treasures, the Shiawassee River.  By caring for the river, we’re providing recreational opportunities for the public and ensuring a healthy habitat for aquatic life.”

 In 1996, the Friends of the Shiawassee River was founded by a group of individuals who wanted to continue the work of Owosso resident, Jim Miner. In the 1970's, Miner organized some of the first volunteer river cleanup events in Owosso. These events inspired a generation of river stewards, and ultimately the formation of the Friends.

 Cleanup Volunteers can choose to assist with the cleanup in the river and parks, or paddle stretches of the river via canoe and search for tires. Volunteers should wear old clothes and shoes so that they can walk in the river, or along the riverbank. Tires collected from the river by volunteers will be recycled free of charge, courtesy of the Shiawassee County Health Department.  Community members who wish to recycle old tires (not from the river) can bring them to the Shiawassee County Road Commission on July 28^th, from 8 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.  Tires will be accepted for a fee of $2 per car/truck tire without rims, and $3 for tires with a rim.  Semi-truck tires will be accepted for a fee of $5 each without a rim, and $10 dollars for each tire with a rim.  No tractor tires will be accepted. Arrangements for advance tire donation and storage can be made by calling Shiawassee County Health Department at (989) 743-2392.

The Shiawassee County Health Department and the Friends have received grant funding from the Department of Environmental Quality and the Great Lakes Commission Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup program. The funds will support ongoing efforts to improve the health of the Shiawassee River and its surrounding natural resources through events such as the annual Shiawassee River Cleanup and tire collection.

 For more information about this event, contact the Friends of the Shiawassee River at ShiawasseeRiver.org,  on the Friends’ Facebook page, by calling (989) 723-9062, or sending an email to info@shiawasseeriver.org.  The Shiawassee County Health Department can be contacted by calling (989) 743-2392, or by visiting their website, http://health.shiawassee.net/Environmental-Health.  The Health Department is also on Facebook.

 ###

 The mission of the Shiawassee County Health Department is to prevent disease, protect the health of the public and enhance the quality of life for Shiawassee County residents by providing information and services.  The Environmental Health Division’s broad objective is to provide a means of safeguarding the environment.  This is necessary for the health and welfare of the users and all other persons in Shiawassee County. 

23rd Annual Shiawassee River Cleanup and Tire Collection to be held on July 28th, 2018

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 People who love the Shiawassee River have much to celebrate in July. The Friends of the Shiawassee River, in collaboration with the Shiawassee County Health Department, will be hosting their 23rd annual Shiawassee River Cleanup and Tire Collection on Saturday, July 28^th – and everyone interested in pitching in is welcome to join the fun.  There will be prizes for the most unique items to be pulled from the river and all event volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and lunch.  Event organizers ask that those interested in attending register at ShiawasseeRiver.org/calendar.

Saturday, July 28th

23nd Annual Shiawassee River Cleanup

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Volunteers meet at one of the following locations by 9:00 am: 

1. Owosso – Oakwood Street Bridge (behind Little League fields)
2. Corunna – McCurdy Park (near footbridge over the river)
3. Vernon – Crawford Park

Cleanup Volunteer Appreciation Lunch

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Mitchell Amphitheater

219 N Water Street, Owosso, MI 48867

(located on the grounds of Owosso Middle School)

All Cleanup Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and lunch.

 The 2017 Annual Cleanup was generously supported by Waste Management, Oster Manufacturing (Owosso), J & S Tire (Owosso), Matador’s Pizza (Byron and Morrice), Mancino’s (Owosso), Cheff’s Canoe Rental (Vernon), Hankerd’s Sportswear (Owosso) and The Bagelman (Owosso).

 “Thanks to the commitment of our volunteers and generous event sponsors, more than 700 tires and hundreds of pounds of garbage and debris have been removed from the river since our first cleanup more than 20 years ago” said Larry Johnson, Director of the Shiawassee County Health Department.  “This event is a great way for the community to come together and care for one of our greatest natural treasures, the Shiawassee River.  By caring for the river, we’re providing recreational opportunities for the public and ensuring a healthy habitat for aquatic life.”

 In 1996, the Friends of the Shiawassee River was founded by a group of individuals who wanted to continue the work of Owosso resident, Jim Miner. In the 1970's, Miner organized some of the first volunteer river cleanup events in Owosso. These events inspired a generation of river stewards, and ultimately the formation of the Friends.

 Cleanup Volunteers can choose to assist with the cleanup in the river and parks, or paddle stretches of the river via canoe and search for tires. Volunteers should wear old clothes and shoes so that they can walk in the river. Tires collected from the river by volunteers will be recycled free of charge, courtesy of the Shiawassee County Health Department.  Community members who wish to recycle old tires (not from the river) can bring them to the Shiawassee County Road Commission on July 28^th, from 8 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.  Tires will be accepted for a fee of $2 per car/truck tire without rims, and $3 for tires with a rim.  Semi-truck tires will be accepted for a fee of $5 each without a rim, and $10 dollars for each tire with a rim.  No tractor tires will be accepted.  Arrangements for advance tire donation and storage can be made by calling Shiawassee County Health Department  at (989) 743-2392.

 For more information about this event, contact the Friends of the Shiawassee River at ShiawasseeRiver.org,  on the Friends’ Facebook page, by calling (989) 723-9062, or sending an email to info@shiawasseeriver.org.  The Shiawassee County Health Department can be contacted by calling (989) 743-2392, or by visiting their website, http://health.shiawassee.net/Environmental-Health.  The Health Department is also on Facebook.

 For an unprecedented eleventh consecutive year, the Shiawassee County Health Department and the Friends have received grant funding from the Department of Environmental Quality and the Great Lakes Commission Volunteer River, Stream and Creek Cleanup program. The funds will support ongoing efforts to improve the health of the Shiawassee River and its surrounding natural resources through events such as the annual Shiawassee River Cleanup and tire collection.

 ###

 The mission of the Shiawassee County Health Department is to prevent disease, protect the health of the public and enhance the quality of life for Shiawassee County residents by providing information and services. The Environmental Health Division’s broad objective is to provide a means of safeguarding the environment.  This is necessary for the health and welfare of the users and all other persons in Shiawassee County. 

 The Friends of the Shiawassee River is501©3 nonprofit organization governed by a local board of directors and supported by a dedicated group of volunteers and generous donors.  The mission of the Friends is to help the community Care, Share, and Enjoy the Shiawassee River.  The Friends are committed to improving the environment, promoting the responsible use of, and enhancing the appreciation of the River throughout its watershed.

The Friends of the Shiawassee River have launched a fundraising raffle for a 12’ Oru Folding Kayak to informally kick off the paddling season.  The kayak is valued at over $1,300.  Funds generated by the raffle will be used by the Friends to host water quality monitoring stream teams, an annual river clean-up, paddling events, and other Friends’ efforts.  Winners will be announced at the Friends’ annual wine-tasting event, to be held on Wednesday, September 26th at the Owosso Country Club.                                            

“The Shiawassee River is an amazing natural resource in our community, yet I hear time and again that so few get on the river and enjoy it first-hand. The opportunity to get a quality kayak, hand-picked by the Friends of the Shiawassee River will give you the opportunity to experience the Shiawassee and take advantage of our river every year! Whether you win the raffle or not, get out on the river and enjoy what it has to offer! – Board President, Nick Tereck

 “The Raffle is more than just a way for the Friends to raise a little money.  Part of our mission is to promote the recreational use of the river. This raffle will enable the lucky winner to get out and enjoy the river we love so much.” – Board Director, Matt VanEpps

Raffle tickets will be available for $5 at Fifth Third Bank (Downtown Owosso branch), Gilbert’s Hardware and Appliance (Owosso), J & S Tire (Owosso), Matador Pizza (Byron and Morrice) Shiawassee Arts Center (Owosso), YMCA (Owosso), and - or from any Friends’ Board member.  They may also be purchased at the Friends’ wine-tasting event in September.  The kayak will be on display for much of the summer at Gilbert’s Hardware and Appliance, J & S Tire, and other sites around town (including the Downtown Owosso Farmers Market on May 19, June 16, July 21, August 11, and September 15.

 

Corunna, MI - After decades of decay, the Corunna dam will be removed and the Shiawassee River restored, thanks to grants from the State of Michigan, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the privately-funded Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN). Work is expected to start this summer.

The City of Corunna received a $301,500 grant from the Michigan of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the beginning of 2016, and was also awarded a $33,500 grant from US Fish and Wildlife Service.  With this funding in hand, the City has sufficient resources to remove the remnants of a dam that has troubled the community for several years.  

In December of 2016, Corunna got notice of a $288,600 grant from the Michigan Natural Trust Fund to make recreational improvements at, around, and near the dam site.  These include a walkway along the westside of the river, creation of fishing opportunities, an accessible kayak launch, and parking lot upgrades. Taken together these grants will transform the obsolete and dangerous dam into a community asset.

The dam has also been a barrier to small boat passage with no good opportunity for portage. Dam removal and replacement with a passable riffle section will further support a future national river trail designation for the Shiawassee.  Work is expected to be undertaken in 2017.