Stream Monitoring – Community Volunteer Opportunity

Sample Collection Day

The University of Olivet, in partnership with the Eaton Conservation District (ECD), received a $16,391 Stream Monitoring Implementation Grant from the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps). The grant supports the newly established Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program. Students and volunteers collect samples for macroinvertebrates (aquatic larval stage insects and other species) in the Thornapple watershed across Eaton County each spring and fall. Click here to volunteer.

The monitoring program consists of stream sites throughout Eaton County within the Upper Thornapple River watershed, part of the large Grand River watershed that eventually flows to Lake Michigan. Erin Pavloski, assistant professor of environmental science at The University of Olivet, is excited about the program’s future. “Water connects us all – we need clean water and healthy streams to support life. This program helps us collect important data each year and helps raise awareness about water quality. Begin able to host community members as community scientists in the program has been wonderful. Working together at the stream sites has been a great learning experience for all involved.”