Huron River Watershed Council

10/29/2026

Michigan is investing in its rivers, and there’s a lot happening right in the Huron River watershed and Southeast Michigan. Andrea Paine brings you HRWC's October News to Us breakdown in less than 90 seconds.
Full blog and stories at www.HRWC.org/news-to-us-181/

10/29/2026

✨News to Us✨ Michigan communities invest millions in their rivers. Will it bring returns?

Communities across Michigan are investing hundreds of millions of dollars to restore rivers, with dozens of projects underway or proposed across the state. These efforts aim to restore habitats and clean up pollution while also creating opportunities for recreation and tourism. The article points to the Huron River as an example of a river’s positive impact on local economies. Per a 2017 study by HRWC, the Huron River generates over $53.5 million in annual economic activity.

Read the full article here: https://bridgemi.com/outdoors-life/michigan-communities-invest-millions-in-their-rivers-will-it-bring-returns/

Read more News to Us: www.HRWC.org/news-to-us-181/

News to Us A two-time Huron River paddler leads Michigan’s river restoration. Plus rain gardens, a proposed septic code, and a data center.

10/28/2026

Wondering what a bioswale looks like? Tune in as Raelyn explains the process of planting a bioswale.

The bioswale is part of a bigger project to restore 103 acres of natural areas along the Huron River, in partnership with Trinity Health Ann Arbor, PlantWise, and Copper Bear Native Landscaping. The goals: 1) Remove invasive plant species, 2) Restore trails and trail signage, and 3) Build a network of employees, volunteers, and community members who care about ecological restoration.

You can learn more about this project at www.HRWC.org/restoring-riverside-natural-areas-at-trinity-health/

10/26/2026

Thanks to funding from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, HRWC is expanding youth environmental education across the watershed! From hands-on STEM learning to real-world river science, we’re connecting thousands of young people with nature and empowering the next generation to protect the Huron River.

10/22/2026

Doing any last-minute planting before winter? Kate Laramie, Watershed Ecologist, shares tips on how to plant native plant plugs. Learn more about planting native species at www.HRWC.org/landscaping.

Wondering where HRWC planted the plugs featured in the reel? In late September, we installed a bioswale at Trinity Health Ann Arbor. This bioswale is part of a larger project to restore 103 acres of natural areas along the Huron River, in partnership with Trinity Health Ann Arbor, PlantWise, and Copper Bear Native Landscaping. Our goals: 1) Remove invasive plant species, 2) Restore trails and trail signage, and 3) Build a network of employees, volunteers, and community members dedicated to ecological restoration.

10/21/2026

Never flush prescription or over-the-counter medications down the toilet or sink. Protect our waterways, and dispose of your medications with care. Wastewater treatment facilities are not equipped to “filter out” drugs and personal care items.

Dispose of them through take-back programs. Drug Takeback Day is October 25th!

Find a drop off location near you...https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/Organization/Materials-Management/hazardous-waste/drug-disposal

Protect your drinking water by keeping these products out of our rivers, waterways, and groundwater.

10/19/2026

Free rain garden workshop in Belleville! Join us THIS WEDNESDAY, October 21 at 6 PM at the Belleville Area District Library to learn how a rain garden can reduce flooding on your property and keep our local waterways healthy. 🌱🌧️

Join Kate Laramie, Watershed Ecologist with the Huron River Watershed Council, for an informative session on the benefits of rain gardens and how they can help protect local waterways. Learn how these eco-friendly gardens capture and filter stormwater, reduce flooding, and enhance the beauty of your landscape—all while supporting native plants and pollinators.

If you’re a homeowner living on the lake, a rain garden can be a powerful tool for improving water quality by reducing runoff and preventing erosion along the shoreline. This session will provide practical tips on designing, installing, and maintaining a rain garden to protect both your property and the health of our local lakes and rivers.

📅 Wednesday, October 21
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Belleville Area District Library | 167 Fourth St. Belleville, MI 48111

Learn more at www.HRWC.org/calendar

HRWC’s Rain Catchers Collective program is funded by the DTE Foundation, the Americana Foundation and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. This support funds the growth of HRWC’s rain garden assessment program and related education, activities and other programming within the Huron River watershed. www.HRWC.org/raincatchers

10/16/2026

News to Us: States sue feds over endangered species rollbacks

A coalition of 20 states, including Michigan, recently filed a lawsuit challenging recent federal efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit argues that the changes, which narrow how habitat impacts are considered during regulatory decision-making, would make it more difficult to conserve threatened and endangered species, such as the freshwater mussels mentioned above. The rollbacks would affect how development and infrastructure projects are reviewed and, in turn, impact habitat protection and species conservation efforts across the U.S.

Read the full article here: https://michiganadvance.com/2026/09/10/repub/states-sue-feds-over-endangered-species-rollbacks/

Read more News to Us: https://www.hrwc.org/news-to-us-180/

A coalition of state attorneys general filed a pair of lawsuits Wednesday challenging the Trump administration’s rollbacks of protections for endangered species. The lawsuits, filed by 20 states and the District of Columbia, seek to reinstate rules that protect the habitat that endangered species ...

10/15/2026

Imagine this: you spot someone dumping into a curbside storm drain or ditch. What now? Our interns walk through exactly how to report it, because that call is doing real work to protect our water.

Report illegal dumping at 1-800-292-4706. Hazardous chemical or flammable spills? Call 9-1-1 immediately.

Learn more about steps you can take to protect the Huron River at www.HRWC.org/take-action

10/14/2026

There’s much to be said for leaving fall leaves. With the help of a mulching mower, they become a natural fertilizer for your lawn. A 3-5 inch leaf layer around garden plants inhibits weeds, preserves soil moisture, and nourishes plants as leaves break down. A layer of leaves left intact provides important habitat for wildlife and insects. To reduce neighborhood flooding, keep leaves and other yard waste away from storm drains. Learn more at www.hrwc.org/lawncare