Michigan Waterways Stewards

Protecting, Caring For, and Improving Michigan's Treasured Waterways.

Whether you are a native Michigander or a transplant who just moved here, you were called to be here to protect and steward this beautiful state. Michigan’s greatest natural resource is its abundant fresh water.

Michigan is blessed with an abundance of fresh water, more than any other state. We have direct access to four Great Lakes; Michigan, Superior, Huron and Erie. Running through our state we have approximately 51,438 miles of river, of which 656 miles are designated as wild and scenic.

Despite it being more than 50 years after the signing of the Clean Water Act, there remains too many areas in Michigan where our treasured waterways are challenged with litter, trash, and other unwanted debris. Then there is the challenge of river-wide obstructions making their usage difficult, dangerous, and at times impossible.

This was the reason for the start of Michigan Waterways Stewards. To provide everything needed to conduct waterways stewardship across all of Michigan. To make Michigan's rivers, lakes, and streams, the envy of our Great Lakes states.

We have received an outpouring of support from the start, whether it be volunteers, event sponsors, or year-round partners, from schools and churches, business and industry, civic and social clubs, and municipalities. Most of all, our work has been possible because of the thousands of selfless volunteers who often travel from across the state, even as far as Canada to offer a helping hand, to create lasting impact.

There are three components to our programming (SEA): Stewardship, Education, and Advocacy. Most know us for our transformative stewardship work in our Capital City Region. We believe our most important work may be our environmental education under the banner, "Love Our Waterways."

Then there is the area where we advocate for change. Sometimes a fresh perspective and new approach is needed. Many consider our greatest accomplishment the discovery of the hundreds of electric scooters and bicycles tossed and abandoned in our Red Cedar River which led to several positive changes.

Many of our suggestions for improved Spin's operating practices were adapted by Michigan State University and Spin.
Our discovery and campaign for improvement was a contributing factor in the City of East Lansing permanently revoking Spin's license to operate.
The above also contributed to the development of MSU's Red Cedar River Stewardship and Recreation Committee.

Join Us In Our Mission.

It is our mission to protect, care for, and improve our treasured and vulnerable waterways for the benefit of fish and wildlife, recreation and sport. Through our efforts we seek to inspire current and future generations of environmental stewards.

It is our vision to make Michigan's inland rivers, creeks, and lakes, the envy of our Great Lakes states.

A sampling of 2024 activities.

We're Michigan's #1 Waterways Stewardship Organization.

Since our start two years ago, November 2022, we have nealry 200 stewardship projects, mobilized over 2,450 volunteers, and created impact across 12 Mid-Michigan communities, We have removed more than 150,000 pounds of litter, trash, and other unwanted debris, and cleared 62 river-wide obstructions. The estimated value of our giving back to our communities is greater than $540,000.

Because of the support of business and industry, schools and churches, civic and social organizations, local government, and our awesome volunteers, Michigan's waterways are cleaner, healthier, and more pleasant to use.

We are proud of the results achieved, humbled by the compliments, and honored by the accolades:

The City of Lansing honored Michigan Waterways Stewards with a proclamation, recognizing us for our community-wide, collaborative approach, and achieving transformative results.
Michigan State University (MSU) awarded our founder, Michael Stout, with the prestigious Greek Ivy Award, This award is given to an outstanding community member, chapter advisor, or faculty/staff member who have gone above and beyond to represent Fraternity & Sorority Life.

Click here to view of 2025 Calendar of Events

While we are excited about the remarkable accomplishments made over our first two years, we're most excited about our rapidly growing partnership base and plans for 2025. Join us. Experience the joy and ease with which we accomplish great things when working together. With your hep we'll make Michigan's waterways cleaner, healthier, and more pleasant to use.

To check out our 2025 planned activities, those community-wide events, speaking engagements, or other special events, click on the Upcoming Events image to the right. We look forward to seeing you there!

There are a number of ways in which you can help: Volunteer at one of our community-wide or pop-up events, take in an EcoTour. Give financially or in-kind, Adopt A River, help fundraise, join our advisory council, or simply help share our story, To learn more, drop us a note, we would love to hear from you.

Michigan Waterways Stewards

Our mission is to protect, care for, and improve Michigan’s treasured and vulnerable waterways
for the benefit of fish and wildlife, recreation and sport.
Through our work we will inspire current and future generations
to become environmental stewards.

JOIN US • CREATE LASTING IMPACT •. THIS IS OUR LEGACY

MICHIGAN WATERWAYS STEWARDS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS