Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Saturday's Clean Waters Challenge: Healing the Bear was a huge success thanks to our wonderful volunteers, sponsors, and partner Bearcub Outfitters. We picked up an estimated 2596 individual pieces of trash weighing in at 645 pounds! Thank you to Emmet County Recycling for helping us properly dispose of everything we collected.

Thanks so much to everyone who came out to help heal the Bear!

Stop by the Watershed Discovery Center this week to say goodbye to Gimiwan before their release at this weekend’s Nmé Celebration in Wolverine, where they'll join hundreds of other sturgeon heading back to the wild! We’ll miss you, Gimiwan, but we’re excited for your new journey ahead!

Learn more about the release: https://watershedcouncil.org/event/nme-celebration/

Join us this Saturday for the Clean Waters Challenge: Healing the Bear, as we work together to clean up the Bear River in Petoskey! Last year, our dedicated volunteers collected 623 pieces of trash from the Cheboygan River, including everything from microplastics to tires—adding up to over 180 pounds of waste! Let’s come together this year to keep the Bear River clean, beautiful, and healthy.

A big thank you to Emmet County Recycling for ensuring that all the trash we collect Saturday is properly disposed of. See you there!

Register here: https://watershedcouncil.org/event/clean-waters-challenge-healing-the-bear/

Don’t miss out on our Clean Waters Challenge: Healing the Bear, happening this Saturday! Join us to help clean up the Bear River in Petoskey and get a chance to win amazing prizes from our partners, Bearcub Outfitters. This year's prizes include a Patagonia Black Hole Bag, a pair of Keen shoes, and a Bearcub gift card! We can’t wait to see you there!

Learn more and register: https://watershedcouncil.org/event/clean-waters-challenge-healing-the-bear/

Did you miss our Annual Meeting last week? Check out the recording here:

Watershed Council 45th Annual Meeting The 45th Annual Meeting at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, hosted at the Perry Hotel.

Areas left messy with pet waste are unattractive and degrade the quality of life for residents. Pet waste discourages people from coming to local shopping districts and visitors from enjoying local parks.
Need a little help picking up after your pet while out and about in downtown Petoskey? Feel free to stop by the Watershed Council to grab a pet waste bag from our pet bag station outside of our office. We all need to work together to keep our community and waters clean and healthy.

Keeping our water safe from pet p**p pollution is crucial, and the best solution is simple: Scoop it, Bag it, Trash it.
Always carry a bag when you walk your dog, scoop the waste, and dispose of it properly in a trash can. This small action can make a big difference in protecting our water quality and keeping our environment clean and safe.

Don't forget to sign up for our Volunteer Stream Monitoring training next Tuesday, August 27th from 6-8 pm to learn how to become a Watershed Council Volunteer! Volunteers will meet at the Watershed Council office for a presentation and pizza before heading down to the Bear River to learn how to collect, identify, and sort macroinvertebrates.

Register here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/474383505f5de7fb8cfb38104618b5b2?r=use1&fbclid=IwY2xjawEsTlxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaAYCwVe-8axmGmPPDOQ9GsSpt9ieT_v8ydlpsQvusOcybKflTppdGUwEw_aem_SS1HliZRAhOf_IEhavBVMQ

Our 9 a.m. Annual Meeting Rain Garden Tour is full, and we only have 2 spots on our 11 a.m. tour. Get the last two spots today! :)

Annual Meeting Join us for our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Meet our new Executive Director, connect with Watershed Council staff and Board, and learn about ongoing and upcoming programs […]

Interested in learning how to protect and monitor our waters? Join us for our Volunteer Stream Monitoring training on August 27th from 6-8 pm to learn how to collect, identify, and sort macroinvertebrates and determine water quality. The training will begin at our office at 426 Bay St. in Petoskey before we head down to the Bear River.

Learn more and register: https://forms.monday.com/forms/474383505f5de7fb8cfb38104618b5b2?r=use1

Pet waste contains harmful bacteria and nutrients that, when left on the ground, can be washed into our waterways by rain or irrigation. These pollutants degrade water quality, harming aquatic life and posing health risks to humans. Excess nutrients from pet waste can lead to algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in the water and create dead zones where fish and other aquatic organisms cannot survive.

Addressing the issue of pet waste is a critical step in protecting our water resources. It's more than just a courtesy; it's an environmental necessity. Every time you pick up after your pet, you contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment

Dog waste contains disease-causing bacteria that can make people sick. Pet waste in the water increases bacteria levels and that can cause gastrointestinal problems and skin reactions, making the water unsafe for swimming and other activities. Even worse is the knowledge that dog waste might be polluting our drinking water, local swimming areas, and favorite fishing spots. You can help keep harmful bacteria out of our waterways by cleaning up after your dog.

Rain gardens are gardens specifically designed to collect and filter stormwater runoff through native plant roots before it reaches our lakes and streams. When properly designed, these spaces can remove pollutants, provide pollinator habitat, and be a beautiful addition to any home or public space.

Learn more about rain gardens on Tuesday, August 20th, where you'll have the opportunity to join a rain garden tour before or after our Annual Meeting (shuttle bus tour – space is limited). You can also join us for our Annual Meeting to hear about Watershed Council Updates and connect with staff at 10 a.m. at the Perry Hotel in downtown Petoskey.

Visit our website to learn more and register: https://watershedcouncil.org/event/save-the-date-annual-meeting/

Pet waste may not be an environmental threat on the order of carbon pollution, nuclear waste, or a Superfund site. Still, the risk from dog p**p can be more than just a mess on your shoes. Dog waste is an environmental pollutant. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) labeled it as a pollutant, placing it in the same category as oil, grease, herbicides, insecticides, and other toxic chemicals.

Congratulations to The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay!

EGLE announces seven grants to control or prevent nonpoint source pollution EGLE announces seven grants to control or prevent nonpoint source pollution Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy sent this bulletin at 08/06/2024 08:30 AM EDT Share or view as a webpage I Update preferences FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 6, 2024 EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Mich...

Before you make plans for the beach this weekend, make sure you check for closures and advisories!

Plans for the beach? 🌅🌊
Remember to check for beach closures and advisories before heading out.

Visit: https://www.egle.state.mi.us/beach/
Your local municipality or health department will have the most current information.
Happy weekend! ✌️☀️

Stop by our station at Camp Daggett’s Wine Walk on August 20! Cheers to great friends and outdoor adventures in Northern Michigan!

🍷✨ Experience the magic of Camp Daggett at the Discover Daggett Wine Walk! Join us on Tuesday, August 20th from 6-8 pm for a fun evening of wine tasting around camp. Tickets go fast, so grab yours soon! Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.campdaggett.org/campdaggettwinewalk2024/

Save the date!

Yesterday, our staff had an amazing outing rafting on the beautiful Sturgeon River! A big thank you to Sturgeon River Paddlesports for making this adventure possible. We were so excited to get a look at the river where our lake sturgeon Gimiwan will be released for the LTBB Odawa Natural Resources Department Nmé Celebration on September 14th!

The Watershed Council has expanded educational programs over the past years, and we're increasingly incorporating art to help share our message and mission.

The recent Interactive Rain Garden Mural, Watershed Discovery Center Interpretive Watershed Mural, and collaboration with Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey's kids art camps have really put the "A" in STEAM education.

Integrating STEAM Education into curriculum is one of the best ways to prepare students to take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. These are the innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the next generation!

Join us tomorrow for Coffee @ 10 (10 AM) at the Arts Center to learn more about the Watershed Council and our recent art projects.

Coffee @ 10: Make a Splash: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Learn about the Watershed Council's Education and Community programs.

Come along for an exciting rain garden tour and meet our new Executive Director at our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, August 20, 2024! Connect with Watershed Council staff and Board members, and discover ongoing and upcoming programs aimed at protecting Northern Michigan's water resources.

The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. at the Perry Hotel in downtown Petoskey, however guests will have the opportunity to join a rain garden tour before or after the meeting (shuttle bus tour – space is limited).

Visit our website to learn more and register: https://watershedcouncil.org/event/save-the-date-annual-meeting/

Our office and the Watershed Discovery Center will be closed today. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you when we reopen tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding!

Did you know that composting pet waste requires special considerations? Dog waste, being a potential carrier of harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, poses risks if not properly handled. In general, it's advised not to compost pet waste due to these health concerns. However, if you choose to compost dog waste, here are some guidelines:
1. Dedicated Compost Area: Use a dedicated compost pile or area solely for pet waste. This helps prevent cross-contamination with other compost intended for plants.
2. High-Temperature Composting: Opt for a high-temperature composting method to ensure pathogens are killed effectively.
3. Do Not Use on Edible Crops: Avoid using composted pet waste on vegetable gardens or crop plants that will be consumed. This reduces the risk of transferring pathogens to food sources.

Remember, proper disposal and management of pet waste are crucial steps in protecting our water quality and maintaining a healthy environment for all.

Check out United by Water's Clean Coast events! On Friday, August 9th, you'll be able to see our Bebot in action at Zorn Park as part of their conservation week lineup.

The BeBot is a 100% electric, eco-friendly beach cleaning robot that mechanically sifts sand, rakes seaweed, and levels sandy areas to remove plastic waste and other debris without harming the local environment.

The BeBot was obtained through a partnership with the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (GLPC), through generous funding and support from North American energy company TC Energy. Please join us to check out the BeBot in action and learn how you can help reduce plastic pollution of our Northern Michigan waterways.

Join us for our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, August 20, 2024!

Meet our new Executive Director, connect with Watershed Council staff and Board, and learn about ongoing and upcoming programs to protect our Northern Michigan water resources. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. at the Perry Hotel in downtown Petoskey, however guests will have the opportunity to join a rain garden tour before or after the meeting (shuttle bus tour – space is limited).

Visit our website to learn more and register: https://watershedcouncil.org/event/save-the-date-annual-meeting/

As Lakes Appreciation Month comes to a close, we're taking an extra moment to celebrate our beautiful lakes and the efforts that go into protecting them. Let’s show our lakes some love, not just this month but all year round!

1. Duncan Bay
2. Pixie Drone cleaning the Petoskey Marina, Little Traverse Bay
3. Shoreline survey on Pickerel Lake
4. The Harbor Princess carries students on Lake Charlevoix
5. Water monitoring on Black Lake