BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has given the city of Battle Creek a $3,300 grant to support stream cleanup efforts.
The funding is part of EGLE’s Michigan Clean Water Corps Volunteer Stream Cleanup Program, which provides grants to communities across the state to remove debris from rivers and streams while encouraging environmental stewardship.
The city will use the funding between June and September to support a community river cleanup event and invest in equipment that will strengthen cleanup efforts for years to come. Planned purchases include pond grabbers, waders, sharps containers, permanent trash receptacles, and other essential supplies for volunteers.
Battle Creek has received MiCorps cleanup funding twice before, along with strong partnerships with organizations such as the Calhoun Conservation District, Battle Creek Unlimited, the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, and Trout Unlimited.
Those partnerships, and the dedication of volunteers, have led to the removal of significant amounts of debris from local waterways over the years.
Past cleanups have uncovered a wide range of items, from grocery carts and tires to furniture, carpet, and other large discarded materials.
The cleanup efforts directly support the city’s broader environmental goals by improving water quality, protecting wildlife habitat, and enhancing recreational opportunities along the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers.
Comments