LANSING, Mich. — Volunteers across the state pulled over 31,000 pounds of trash from Michigan streams and rivers as part of a cleanup program in 2023.
1,674 volunteers participated in the volunteer stream cleanup program, funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
The volunteers spent a total of 3,699 hours cleaning over 31,200 pounds of trash from 222 miles of rivers and streams, according to EGLE.
Volunteers were organized to clean up waterways at 11 locations in the state. In West and Southwest Michigan, waterways were cleaned in the Muskegon Conservation District, Newaygo Conservation District, St. Joseph Conservation District and Van Buren Conservation District.
EGLE says that the most interesting finds during the cleanup were a tool chest full of tools, electric scooters, an unopened safe, grill, reclining chair, rubber duck, Little Tykes toy, credit card, tractor tire, signpost and a Barbie car.
The Volunteer Stream Cleanup program is part of the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), a network of volunteer water quality monitoring programs in Michigan.
EGLE provided grant funding to organizations who wanted to participate in the cleanups. They awarded $36,944 to the 11 organizations that were eligible for funding.
MiCorps is currently accepting funding proposals for volunteer stream cleanup and monitoring programs for 2024.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and on your phone.
