CRWC is now offering the workshops listed below to adult audiences (i.e. homeowner associations, community organizations, lake associations) throughout the Clinton River Watershed as a part of its Phase II Stormwater public education support program. If you would like to learn more about one of these free workshops or if you would like to schedule one in your community, please contact Ted
Bolak at 248-601-0606 or ted@crwc.org.
Protecting Water Quality in Our Own Backyards-Seven Simple Steps
(30 min-1 hr)
Did you know you live in the Clinton River Watershed? Join the Clinton River Watershed Council staff and learn what a watershed is and how our everyday actions influence the health of the Clinton River Watershed. We’ll discuss past local water quality problems and explore current water quality challenges. We’ll highlight current efforts to restore and protect the creeks, rivers, lakes and adjacent lands within the Clinton River Watershed and we’ll share seven simple steps that you can take to help protect water quality.
Design Your Own Rain Garden (1-2 hrs)
Rain gardens are attractive gardens designed to direct water from your rooftop, driveway or lawn while keeping it on your property as nature intended. By creating a rain garden, you can help improve water quality in your community, local streams, rivers, and lakes. In addition, a rain garden can be a beautiful, low-maintenance way to attract butterflies, birds and other beneficial wildlife-especially when using native plant species plants that are adapted to our region of Michigan. Join Clinton River Watershed Council and discover how rain gardens improve water quality while learning a step-by-step process for creating your own rain garden.
Click here for an informational article on Rain
Gardens.
Lake and Water Friendly Lawn Care for Fall and Winter (1-2 hrs)
Fall and winter bring with them fun activities, like enjoying autumn’s brilliantly colored leaves and winter sledding. Fall and winter also brings pool closings, raking leaves, fertilizing lawns, re-seeding, and removing ice and snow. The water that runs off of our lawns drains directly into our drains, creeks, rivers and lakes. Our efforts to prepare our lawn and landscapes for the fall and winter can either positively or negatively impact the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair depending on the actions we take.
Join the Clinton River Watershed Council in this workshop and learn seven simple steps to clean water, the “whys and hows” of soil testing and watering, the best time for fall lawn fertilizing, where to find lake-safe fertilizers, and fall mowing and composting tips. Gather ideas for how you can include beautiful native plants and rain gardens in your fall and spring landscaping plans, and finally, learn lake-safe strategies for draining your family pool and dealing with ice and snow.
Landscaping for Healthy Lakes and Streams-A Riparian Land Owner Workshop (1 1/2-2 hrs)
Join the Clinton River Watershed Council staff in this interactive workshop and discover the relationship that your lake or stream has to the Clinton River watershed and Lake St. Clair. Discuss ways to enhance the quality of your lake or stream and your enjoyment of it. Learn “seven simple steps” you can take to help protect water quality plus safe strategies for reducing geese and other common lakefront problems. Finally, learn how native plant buffers can be both beautiful additions to your landscape and effective tools for reducing pollutants, soaking up excess rainwater, preventing erosion. Participants will learn a practical “how to” process for planning and designing native lake/stream buffers and receive plant lists, sample landscape plans and other related resources.
Watershed Friendly Lawn Care (1-2 hrs)
Summer is a great time to think about lawn care. By making small adjustments in our landscaping practices, each of us can make a big difference in the health of our creeks, lakes and rivers. Join the Clinton River Watershed Council staff in this interactive workshop and learn ten tips for watershed-friendly lawns. Learn the “whys and hows” of soil testing, fertilizer selection and people/pet friendly strategies for managing pests. Discover how using native plants and rain gardens can be a beautiful way to bring beneficial wildlife into our neighborhoods, conserve water and reduce water pollution. Walk away with resources and cost-effective ideas to begin making your yard more watershed-friendly this summer.
