Upcoming Events

Stream Monitoring Collection: May 3, 9am-1pm

Stream Monitoring Collection: May 10, 9am-1pm

Stream Monitoring Identification, May 17, 9am-1pm

All of our upcoming events are listed on our Events page

What is MiCorps?

The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) is a network of volunteers going out to gather water quality data from streams, rivers, and lakes. This data is then compiled and shared with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to help determine best management practices and protection programs for areas of concern.

Eaton Conservation District is partnered with The University of Olivet to participate in the stream monitoring program, monitoring the quality of our streams through the populations of macroinvertebrates found in the area.   

Our Goals

The Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program was established through Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) grants and operates in partnership between Olivet College and Eaton Conservation District. The monitoring program consists of sites in Eaton County within the Upper Thornapple River watershed. The design of the monitoring program focuses on cooperative learning and building relationships between volunteer community scientists and students. Through this collaborative structure, the program is designed for longevity in collecting macroinvertebrate and habitat data throughout the county each fall and spring, and aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• 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;

• Educate and collaboratively engage Eaton County residents, students, and other stakeholders in monitoring, upholding quality, and protecting water resources; and

• Identify or verify problem areas where degradation has occurred and where future remediation efforts or best management practices can be implemented.