About Huron river watershed council
Huron River Watershed Council: Protecting and Restoring Southeast Michigan's Natural Treasure
The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) is a non-profit organization that has been dedicated to protecting and restoring the Huron River watershed for over fifty years. The HRWC was founded in 1965 by a group of concerned citizens who recognized the importance of preserving this natural treasure for future generations.
The Huron River watershed covers over 900 square miles in Southeast Michigan, including parts of Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. The river itself stretches for 130 miles from its headwaters near Pontiac to its mouth at Lake Erie. It is home to an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, including several endangered species.
The HRWC's mission is to protect and restore the health of the Huron River watershed through education, advocacy, and on-the-ground projects. They work with local communities, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations to promote sustainable land use practices that reduce pollution and protect water quality.
One of the HRWC's most important programs is their river monitoring program. This program collects data on water quality throughout the watershed using a network of volunteers who take regular samples from various points along the river. This data helps identify sources of pollution so that action can be taken to address them.
Another key program is their stormwater management program. Stormwater runoff is one of the biggest sources of pollution in urban areas because it carries pollutants like oil, fertilizer, and pet waste into rivers and streams. The HRWC works with local governments to implement green infrastructure solutions like rain gardens and bioswales that capture stormwater before it can enter waterways.
In addition to these programs, the HRWC also offers educational opportunities for people of all ages through workshops, field trips, volunteer opportunities,and more.They also organize events such as paddling trips downriver or clean-up days where volunteers help remove trash from along shorelines or other areas where litter accumulates.
Overall,the Huron River Watershed Council plays an essential role in protecting oneof Michigan's most valuable natural resources.Their work helps ensurethat future generations will be ableto enjoythe beautyand ecological richnessoftheHuronRiverwatershedfor many years to come.If you are interestedin supportingtheir efforts,youcan donate your time,moneyor even becomea memberoftheorganizationto helpthem continue their importantworkinprotectingandrestoringSoutheastMichigan'snaturaltreasure- TheHuronRiverWatershed!