WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY.

Don't Change A Thing!

I wanted to let you know what a fantastic program Michigan Waterways Stewards has created.  And how engaging the day of volunteerism was. From your introduction through your “story,” to the lunch-time talk, I felt like my efforts were a part of something larger and more important than myself.  That is quite a feat. Thank you so much for the experience!
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Amy Davis-Comstock,
State of Michigan -Unemployment Insurance Agency

Thank You for Challenging Us to Do Better.

I am grateful to Mike Stout for raising the opportunity that MSU has regarding overall stewardship of our Red Cedar River. While MSU has many people doing work on and for the river they are across the university out of various units. The forming of MSU’s Red Cedar River Stewardship and Recreation committee will help coordinate these distributed efforts.
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Janet Lilly,
Assistant Vice President, Community Relations – East Lansing/Lansing

Creating Transformative Change.

Michigan Waterway Stewards as an incredible organization that has rapidly and quickly transformed numerous areas of our local waterways. Its founder's passion, devotion, and dedication to improving and protecting our waterways and adjacent areas is extraordinary.

Bob Ceru,
Red Cedar Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited Member

Thanks for Making Michigan Better.

Thanks for doing what you do to take care of the waterways in Michigan. It makes the state better for all of us, even for those who don't spend much time on the water. 

Steve Charteris,
City of Lansing Resident

A Real Blessing

Michigan Waterways Stewards are a real blessing to Michigan. Thanks for all your efforts to gather local groups in the communities around our waterways and make them beautiful.

Whitney Jonas,
Rotary Club of Marshall Member

A Wonderful Partnership

Thanks so much for your leadership Michigan Waterways Stewards.  We never would have dreamed of doing an event like this without you!

Sandy Bliesner,
Former Rotary Club of Kalamazoo President & President of OCBA Landscape Architects

Thankful For Our Partnership

I am so thankful for partnerships like this one. Thank you for making this community a better place with your existence.
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Emma Campbell,
Meridian Township, Land Stewardship Coordinator

Heartfelt Gratitude

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the collaboration we' have shared over the past two years. It has been an incredible experience working with you. Congratulations on receiveiv the prestigious Greek Ivy Award. It is well deserved recognition. Your truly set an example for us all

Maximilan Hornung,
Delta Sigma Phi, Sergeant at Arms

Making A Difference

Please keep doing the great work you do.  It’s people like you that really make a difference in our world.  You are a shinning star.  Werner Paddles has been proud to be a part of you and your team’s success.​
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Bruce Furrer,
President, Werner Paddles

Your Efforts Are Phenomenal

Michigan Waterways Stewards efforts are just phenomenal. It's a testament to what a committed citizen can do when passionate about an issue. Thank you sincerely for being a steward over our precious water resources for generations to come. 
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Beth Bowen,
Delta Township Trustee

Your Work Is Truly Transformational

Outstanding river stewardship events longggg overdue. Long time coming - stoked about this. Been advocating River Keepers for a long time. Major step. Respects.  Having perspective of growing up in Lansing, been close to the action at times and privilege of spanning a few decades (backstory as case study). There is no question this work is transformational. Great opportunity to give back and make a difference.
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Pete Bosheff, 
Friends of the Red Cedar

Incredible Transformation

Such an incredible transformation. I am blown away by the grass root efforts, and caretaker responsibility for our shared treasure, our river systems. Thank you Michigan Waterways Stewards for your impressive and continuing efforts.
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Andy Fedewa,
City of Lansing, Principal Planner

Truly Commendable

​I want to personally thank you for the tremendous amount of work that you are doing on behalf of the river and our community. Your efforts are truly commendable and appreciated, and we are happy to assist you. ​

​Cathy DeShambo,
​City of East Lansing, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Arts

This Is What We Need!

Michigan Waterways Stewards is the best thing that has ever happened to our local rivers.

​Tom Cannon,
Friends of the Red Cedar River

These Amazing Events!

Thank you for organizing such an amazing event.  There is great value in engaging young adults in meaningful community service. Congratulations on a successful event!

LuAnn Maisner,
Director of Parks and Recreation, Meridian Township

Looking 1,000 Times Better!

Spent the week at the Lansing Center and spent a lot of time standing near the river thinking, “This place looks 1000x better than when I was a kid.”
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Becket Jones,
8th District Court Judge

We Are Thrilled To Be A Part Of It

We are so stoked and happy to be a part of such an important event and movement!

Collin Tar,
Moosejaw Mountaineering, General Manager

So Thankful For What I Witnessed

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. 

Thank you again!
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Nick Hall

This Is Exactly What We Need

Fantastic work on the river clean-up! Your organization is exactly what we need in the State of Michigan to help us tackle the trash build up in our streams. 
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​​Barney Boyer,
EGLE, Environmental Quality Analyst

Thank You For Your Hearty Persistence

My husband, Dave, and our three (adult) kids have been Lansing residents for many years. We live on the west side. We love Lansing and all that it offers. But like you and many others, we have been thoroughly frustrated with river pollution in the Grand- especially in the stretch you mentioned in a recent LSJ article.

We've walked and biked & enjoyed all sections of our great Lansing River Trail for many years. In recent walks & bike rides to/from Old Town we noticed "the pools of pollution" you cited in your article.

I'm writing to thank you for your hearty (or should I say weary?) persistence to chase down and finally get a response from the owners of ADBF. It's almost incredible to believe that our city officials nor government agencies responded to repeated pleas for attention to your letters and/or emails. Talk about frustrating.   
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But now, thanks to you and the volunteers of  your Michigan Waterways Stewards organization,  there's been resolution to an unsightly, unsafe & unhealthy problem. We applaud your determination and diligence and we THANK YOU & CONGRATULATE you and all your volunteers. Please share our message of sincere thanks and hope for a clean and healthy Grand!!!

​Barb Shipman

Grateful Appreciation.

I would’ve loved to of helped out and that pull and clean up. Lansing is slowly cleaning up some of its acts around the city. It could be so much more beautiful in so many ways.

I’m not giving up on Lansing. I appreciate your souls and intentions for the Grand River scenic river.  It doesn’t go unnoticed so grateful to you on this Thanksgiving day.

Ryan Remlinger

Your Passion is Contagious.

Thank you, Waterways Stewards, for your continued enthusiasm and dedication to protecting our waterways! Your passion is contagious. Thank you for all the wonderful things your organization is accomplishing — such great synergy! It's great to have enthusiastic people like you leading and encouraging our community to be good stewards of our natural resources. 

​Jayne Higo

Our Unresponsive Government.

Very nice to see the LSJ article.

​By coincidence, as a frequent biker on the riverfront trail, earlier this year I sent Lansing’s mayor a letter (and pics) regarding the accumulated debris at all of the bridges from Potter Park to the fish ladder. If we still imagined Lansing as a “world class city,” addressing the debris should be a priority, I suggested. I never heard back, but was later thrilled to see the debris removed from the railway bridge.

​Thanks for your great work to clean up the rivers!

​Doug Van Epps

Challenged In Okemos.

Sad to say similar problems on the red cedar in Okemos. Government not responsive. To make matters worse when trees float down and get caught at the bridge they are cut so the float down and get caught on other debris, eroding the banks.

​Janet Emery

Partnering To Improve Michigan's Waterways.

On behalf of the Quiet Water Society, please accept our enthusiastic support for you and all the volunteers with Michigan Waterway Stewards in your efforts to cleanup Michigan waterways. We applaud the efforts and commitment of Adrian and Blissfield Railroad Company, as well as other agencies and businesses that may join this effort.

Cynthia Donovan,
President of the Board of Directors, Quiet Adventure Society

Remarkably Successful. Thank You.

We wish to thank you for your work to clean up the trash and debris that collected at the railroad crossings and other areas of the Grand River and Red Cedar River in the Lansing area. The areas cleared have been a long-term concern for paddlers, anglers, and others enjoying the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers for years. The blockages not only interfered with navigation, but posed a significant safety risk to river users.

​Thanks again for your responsible actions to promote a clean, healthy, and navigable river system in our watershed.

​Fred Cowles,
President, Middle Grand River Organization of Watersheds