EATON CONSERVATION DISTRICT
  • Programs
    • Michigan Arbor Day Alliance
    • Michigan Water Stewardship Program
    • Stream Monitoring
    • Well Water Testing
    • Plant Sales >
      • Tree Sale
    • Watershed Planning >
      • Mid-Michigan Watersheds
      • Middle Grand River Watershed
    • Charlotte Wellhead Protection
    • Equipment Rentals
    • Native Plant Gardens
    • Backyard Conservation and Forestry
    • Education
    • Mid-Michigan CISMA
  • Agriculture
    • Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
    • Ag Plastic Recycling
    • USDA Conservation Programs
    • Field Days
  • Events
  • Resources
  • About Us
    • News
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter

News

Eaton conservation District and Olivet College Awarded Stream Monitoring Grant

6/17/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Olivet College, in partnership with the Eaton Conservation District (ECD), has received a $16,391 Stream Monitoring Implementation Grant from the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps). The grant will support the newly established Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program.
The monitoring program consists of stream sites throughout Eaton County within the Upper Thornapple River watershed, part of the large Grand River watershed that eventually flows to Lake Michigan. Erin Pavloski, assistant professor of environmental science at Olivet College, is excited about the program's future. “Water connects us all – we need clean water and healthy streams to support life. This program helps us collect important data each year and helps raise awareness about water quality. We just held the program's pilot this spring, and being able to host community members as community scientists in the program has been wonderful. Working together at the stream sites has been a great learning experience for all involved.”
Sue Spagnuolo, executive director of ECD, is inspired by the outcome of the pilot program. “This partnership is a wonderful example of ECD’s mission. Bringing together community members and college students is a shining example of ‘promoting and encouraging cooperation with individuals, groups organizations, or agencies in an organized effort to conserve and improve the natural resources in Eaton County.’ I am proud of the students and community scientists who participated in the pilot program and I look forward to seeing this unique partnership grow.”
The annual program samples sites for macroinvertebrates (aquatic larval stage insects and other species) in the Thornapple watershed across Eaton County each spring and fall. The number and variety of macroinvertebrates collected at each site can indicate overall stream health and water quality. The program contributes data to a statewide database that provides important information to conservation districts and other natural resource organizations in watershed planning and management efforts.
The design of the monitoring program focuses on cooperative learning and building relationships between community scientists and students. Through this collaborative structure, the program is designed for ongoing engagement of community scientists and longevity in collecting macroinvertebrate and habitat data throughout the county, and aims to achieve the following goals:
  1. Provide new and continuous macroinvertebrate collection and habitat assessment data that will assist in assessing the success of any restoration projects and updating the watershed management plan;
  2. Educate and collaboratively engage Eaton County residents, students and other stakeholders in monitoring, upholding quality and protecting water resources; and
  3. Identify or verify problem areas where degradation has occurred and where future remediation efforts or best management practices can be implemented.
If you are interested in participating in stream monitoring events through the Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program, email Rachel Cuschieri-Murray, Eaton Conservation District environmental outreach coordinator, at rachel.cuschieri-murray@macd.org to be placed on a contact list for future events.
Since 1844, Olivet College continues to strive to provide its students with rewarding educational experiences that will gain them the knowledge and skills for success in their future careers. The college and the natural sciences and mathematics department value cooperative learning experiences, volunteerism, and building partnerships within local communities.   offers biology and environmental science majors and minors, and students will greatly benefit from participation in this collaborative stream monitoring program.
Since 1946, the Eaton Conservation District has been a unique local unit of government that provides natural resource management services, utilizing state, federal and private sector resources to solve today’s conservation challenges. Its services include protecting groundwater, watershed planning, woodland and wildlife improvements, agricultural programming, soil health information, stream bank stabilization, conserving and restoring wetlands, and providing tree seedlings, conservation books and information workshops.
MiCorps was established by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and is administered by Michigan State University, in partnership with the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association and Huron River Watershed Council. To learn more about Olivet College, contact the Office of Admission at 800-456-7189 or admissions@olivetcollege.edu.

Picture
0 Comments

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    April 2011

    Categories

    All
    Agriculture
    Conservation
    Education
    Envirothon
    Greenhouse
    Newsletter
    Nrcs
    Students
    Tree Sale
    Usda
    Water Quality
    Wildlife
    Workshop

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Programs
    • Michigan Arbor Day Alliance
    • Michigan Water Stewardship Program
    • Stream Monitoring
    • Well Water Testing
    • Plant Sales >
      • Tree Sale
    • Watershed Planning >
      • Mid-Michigan Watersheds
      • Middle Grand River Watershed
    • Charlotte Wellhead Protection
    • Equipment Rentals
    • Native Plant Gardens
    • Backyard Conservation and Forestry
    • Education
    • Mid-Michigan CISMA
  • Agriculture
    • Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
    • Ag Plastic Recycling
    • USDA Conservation Programs
    • Field Days
  • Events
  • Resources
  • About Us
    • News
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter