48 posts
Scott Faulkner, Executive Director Muskegon River Watershed Assembly What is the state of our watershed? That was the central question put forward in MRWA’s State of the Watershed presentation, held in late March 2023 to a lively crowd just shy of a hundred area stakeholders at the Heritage Museum of Newaygo County. As it turns out, it is a tricky...[ read more ]
Jennifer Lawson, Program Manager DTE Energy Foundation Unfortunately, the literature on environmental sciences continues to indicate that there is a lack of diversity in the field — with white men continuing to dominate green jobs. This prompts me to contemplate what individuals, communities and organizations can do to ensure that EVERYONE who wants to work in an environmental career is...[ read more ]
Sarah Krzemien DTE Fellow Muskegon River Watershed Assembly Welcome to the first installment of Follow the Fellow a series of articles where I will share fun environmental topics and projects that I’m working on for the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MRWA). I also plan to provide opportunities for community involvement. Before I get too far, I want to begin by...[ read more ]
Jon Bumstead Michigan State Senator Director at Large, Muskegon River Watershed Assembly Recently the governor presented her budget proposal to the Joint House and Senate Committee on Appropriations. As the Minority Vice Chair of Appropriations and the Minority Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, I was very curious as to what projects and goals the...[ read more ]
North Country Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Staff. This year the North Country Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (NCCISMA) will wrap up a public engagement project funded by the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program (MISGP), focused on raising awareness of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the upper Muskegon River watershed. This project has had a significant impact because of a...[ read more ]
[caption id="attachment_9234" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Michigan DNR fisheries staff electrofishing on the Muskegon River below Croton Dam. [/caption] In the past few weeks, Muskegon River anglers may have noticed Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel collecting walleye eggs below Croton Dam in Newaygo County. Electrofishing boat crews began collecting operations starting around the week of March 27 and concluding by April...[ read more ]
Scott Faulkner Executive Director Muskegon River Watershed Assembly I love a good story- and I truly enjoy knocking on watershed doors and seeking out the people who live, work, and sometimes find the life of their dreams on the Muskegon and its tributaries. Aleks Krotoski posits, “Stories are memory aids, instruction manuals, and moral compasses.” I believe that the Muskegon...[ read more ]
Sarah Himes Office Manager Muskegon River Watershed Assembly 2022 was the year that my career and parenting took a total turn for the better. I went from being a stressed-out associate news producer and freelance videographer to an environmentalist-in-training and an advocate for a river that so many of us hold near and dear to our hearts. My life became...[ read more ]
Cindy J. Fitzwilliams – Heck Director, Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (Retired) It was my calling to volunteer with the MRWA. Personally, I have always stuck up for people or causes that needed a voice. I believe getting involved with something that you care about can always help in some capacity. Taking action gives me a sense of peace and satisfaction...[ read more ]
Each year the MRWA faces a unique set of challenges as we put in the work to achieve our stated mission: to protect and restore the Muskegon River Watershed. As a project based, environmental nonprofit organization we depend on a diverse group of resources to provide the funding necessary to accomplish our goals. Grants offered by state and federal agencies...[ read more ]