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The River Angel recognition is given to only those who participate in a Michigan waterways stewardship project. For those who participated in a Michigan lake or river cleanup, send us a picture of you in action and we'll be thrilled to mail you your FREE River Angel decal.
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It has been a remarkable journey. We can’t thank enough all those who have helped make this transformational change a reality. Without their help this transformational change would not have been possible.
On this Sunday our rivers were rich in wildlife and human activity. Geese and ducks, with their babies close behind, were everywhere. Schools of fish regularly passed by. Turtles were basking in the sun and my favorite, the Blue Heron, were busy hunting from the riverbank. The river was busy with fishermen and paddlers too. |
haven’t seen as much activity on our local rivers before. It was exciting to see.
Items retrieved from our rivers today included several tires, barrels and highway cones. Buckets, plastic lawn chairs, a grocery cart, and scrap metal were also taken out. In addition there was the expected collection of plastics, paper, styrofoam, glass, and lost clothing. I estimate that over the weekend we retrieved over 600 pounds of litter, trash, and urban debris from Lansing area Red Cedar River and Grand River. |
River Angel Cam Aitken
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It has been a dry spring. The Red Cedar is low, shallow, clear, and refreshingly cold. With many trees reaching across the river they provide cover and a break from the beating sun. We imagine how this stretch of river must look in the fall, in full color. As we make our way downstream we clear the river and riverbanks of papers, plastics, and glass. Included is the predictable collection of baseballs and softballs, and MSU police barricade signage. We also pull out a half dozen tires and a few highway cones too.
I was surprised to discover a river-wide blockage with a collection of several seasons of woody debris. Trapped behind it was a large pool of litter and trash. River right is the only way through, but it was blocked by smaller trees. With a couple of volunteers and a chainsaw this too will be opened up, as well as the next obstruction a little further down river. |
Not much later Cam excitedly shouts out, “There is a kayaker coming our way.” It is Connie Cannon. She is quickly making her way upstream in one of her racing canoes.
We make our way to where earlier this week members of Mount Hope Church leadership school cleared trapped litter and trash from behind a large fallen tree. The next day Lansing’s Park and Recreation had a contractor remove the large tree, other trapped logs and natural debris, that had caused this river-wide jam. I was excited to see how much better the area looked and knowing it was now navigable. A narrow path had already been carved through the shallow collection of surface woody debris. As we made our way through river left with our wider catamaran, we create an even larger opening making it easier for others to make their way through. |
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After arriving at our destination, the team hurries through the woods to begin work. They give no worry to the poison ivy and thorny bushes on the way.
They begin their assault on the trouble area. Some wade into the deep cold water, a pair works from above on the fallen tree which bridges the river, others position their boats near the debris field. This was not an easy challenge. There was large amount of litter and trash intermingled in a large debris field of trees, logs, and other natural debris. Here, on either side, the the river gives no hint to where it suddenly drops off and wants to pull you under. Below the river’s surface you can’t see the entanglement of trapped trees and other natural debris that that wants to trip you or snag your leg or turn your ankle. |
Not much later, what once seemed to be an insurmountable challenge, the large collection of litter and trash giving evidence of campus and urban living upstream, begins to find its way into the bottom of our 50 gallon trash bags.
Determined to collect it all, and having gained greater confidence in, on, and near the water, the team members begin reaching further toward the center. No one seems more determined than Alex. When done, we make our way back to Kruger’s Landing where we stage our work that will be soon be collected by the City. About a dozen bags of river trash is bagged, along with other river finds, marks the end of a successful river clean up. |
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Thank You Adrian and Blissfield Railroad Company (ADBF) for Your Unprecedented Support and Leadership!
On this sunny spring day with temperatures pushing 80, ADBF president Chris Bagwell and team, hit the river to clear a river-wide obstruction made of trees, logs, and other natural debris from under their Red Cedar River railroad bridge. For an assist, they bring in a pair of diesel powered locomotives. The entire blockage has been thinned and the far two spans river right have been cleared making it easy and safe for passage.
About two hundred pounds of litter and trash trapped behind this collection of natural debris, and along the Red Cedar River from Potter Park Zoo to the confluence of the Grand River, was removed. In addition to the typical collection of paper, plastics and styrofoam, these River Angels* find a tire, carpeting, construction netting (safety fence), the steering wheel of a car, metal post, and more. |
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Our new inflatable Takacat 380 catamaran, powered by an electric Torqeedo outboard engine, performs wonderfully. Thank you Great Lakes Watercraft! When done, our Takacat is transformed into a small barge, carrying out our largest collection of litter during a single cleanup event so far; seven large trash bags and a large collection of other evidence of urban living.
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We can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and personal pride. This garbage dump-like area is transformed into a park-like setting and the nesting ground for geese is much improved.
This area will become a much more pleasant destination for hiking, fishing, and nearby paddling. |
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The North Grand River Avenue bridges poses a slight problem as the approximately 300’ feet nearest the bridge is a steep embankment and a pair of weary geese protecting their nest are keeping their eye on
The hot spot near Tecumseh Park is an ongoing challenge as it is here where nearly everything coming down the Grand River collects. We were able to make a considerable dent in the collection of litter today, but another dedicated trip will be required. |
Sadly, on top of a collection of trees and limbs was a nest of geese eggs. It was surrounded by litter, trash, and other reminders of urban litter. This acts as an important reminder of how our careless habits directly impacts fish and wildlife.
Thanks to the efforts of Matthew Edmond and Nick Hall, this Tecumseh Park area will soon be cleared and much improved, for the benefit of fish and wildlife, recreation and sport. |
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Delta Sig’s Gage Farrow shares, “We got a bigger turnout than I had originally expected from our chapter. This community project really resonated with our fraternity. We look forward to supporting future Red Cedar River stewardship projects and elsewhere to make a positive difference in our community.”
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Christine Pearson, with Michigan Waterways Stewards says, “I am really proud of these young men. Their commitment and the work they accomplished was remarkable. It was truly transformational.”
To read the entire story and what others said, download the PR release below. |
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While no amounts of pollutants are acceptable, it was the constant flow of large amounts of styrofoam that was of greatest concern. Styrofoam is a slow to decompose, dangerous, hazardous substance which harms our water sources, affecting animals and humans alike.
It was determined that the source was Michigan Legislative Service Bureau (MLSB) Printing.Lansing government officials, 4th ward council member Brian T. Jackson, and MLSB LSB Director, Jennifer Dettloff, and the office of the governor, have been notified. We hope they respond, accept responsibility, and immediately improve their recycling, trash removal, and grounds care. To learn more, click here. |
Click on each image to view in larger format.
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"It’s January 15, 2023, windchill is below freezing, and I went for a walk at Tecumseh Park in North Lansing.
I came across who I now recognize to be Mike Stout and another gentleman who were IN the Grand River (wearing waders) cleaning trash/debris that had built up at a fallen tree near where I fish during the spring and summer. They had already filled several bags and didn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon.
I love Tecumseh Park and all of the municipal parks Lansing has to offer, and I had no idea this wonderful organization has been working so hard (and in such difficult conditions) to keep them clean.
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We told the City of Lansing of these metal objects, that they were just below the river's surface and could cause damage the bottom of canoe or kayak, or worse injury someone.
Within a day, the City sent out a team to investigate. Upon their sighting, the immediately removed what was described as four foot sections of rail. |
We wish to thank LOAPC paddler Richard Bailey and City of Lansing's Park and Recreation Director, Brett Kaschinske, for their help in the removal of possible dangerous river objects.
A special shout out to the City is due for their immediate action. They continue to impress. |
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While working to remove the river-wide entanglement below the Grand River railroad bridge and large pools of surface pollution, we discovered a large abandoned encampment atop the steep riverbank. We knew, if this wasn't removed before next spring's snowmelt and high floodwaters, much of this would make its way into the Grand River and make matters much worse.
Thinking it was City owned property, we made them aware and pushed them to act. They were unaware. They then discovered this property was not theirs, but privately owned. We were certain that a quick resolution was unlikely. |
I am pleased to announce, working with and through the City, the encampment has been cleaned up.
Our having removed the large entanglement and pools of pollution below the bridge, the abandoned homeless encampment above, this once long-standing, terribly polluted, impassable section of the Grand River has been transformed into a remote, rustic river stretch that we can all be excited about and enjoy. It is aesthetically pleasing and now accessible and safe to navigate for paddlers of all skill levels, floaters, boaters, and anglers too. |
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When Mike was making his way to the site, he crossed paths with a team of volunteers, representing the City of Lansing Police Department, picking up trash along Lansing's river trail. Let's give special shout out to these ladies, and all those taking pride and care of our city's treasured rivers, parks, and trails.
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Michigan Waterways Stewards: Stewardship • Education • Advocacy
Domestic Nonprofit Corporation ID: 802970875 EIN: 92-1772858
Copyright © 2022 Site created by i3 Marketing, LLC.
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