Flint River Stewardship Day

Partner with us and do your part to protect the Flint River

Flint, MI.  April 13, 2018 – Multiple community beautification, stewardship and cleanup events are happening across Genesee and Lapeer Counties on April 28^th, 2018 from 9AM – noon. The Flint River Watershed Coalition and its partners are currently seeking volunteer groups and individuals who would like to come together to make a big impact on the watershed. Volunteers are welcome to celebrate these accomplishments afterwards at our appreciation lunches happening across the landscape.

Traditionally referred to as the Flint River and Community Clean Up, this event has been an April staple for over twenty years. The cleanup event originally began with the Friends of the Flint River Trail. Over the years, many partners have joined forces to now create one of the area’s largest cleanup efforts. Partnering with the Genesee County Parks, the City of Flint, City of Lapeer, the Neighborhood Engagement Hub, River Network and many others, the Flint River Watershed Coalition and its chapters boasted over 330 volunteers in 2017 at 21 sites across the watershed. These same partners and more have come together again in 2018 with an ambitious goal of exceeding 500 volunteers.

Sites and activities included in this year’s event include:

1. Formerly Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Park – 2000 James P. Cole Blvd, Flint 48503 Trash and debris cleanup
2. Carriage Town/Atwood Stadium – 701 University Ave, Flint, MI 48503 Trash and brush cleanup in and around Carriage Town/Atwood Stadium and along the trails near the river
3. Thread Lake @ McKinley Park Vista Center Area – 2999 Orville St, Flint 48503 Trash and debris cleanup on peninsula, dock removal on the south shore and sod removal on the north shore
4. Former Farmers’ Market – 420 E Boulevard Dr, Flint 48503. (Check in: Habitat for Humanity – 101 Burton Street) Trash and debris cleanup along the river
5. Holloway Dam – 7411 Holloway Dr, Davison, MI 48423 Trash and debris cleanup near popular fishing spots
6. Mott Park – 2402 Nolen Dr, Flint, MI 48504 Trash and debris cleanup
7. Gilkey Creek @ Pierce School – 1101 W Vernon Dr, Flint, MI 48503 Trash and debris cleanup
8. Carman Creek @ Neithercut Elementary – 2010 Crestbrook Ln, Flint, MI 48507 Brush removal and trail work along trail behind the school; trash and debris removal
9. Genesee Valley Trail @ Court/Farnum – Farnum Ave & Genesee Valley Trail
   Flint, MI 48503 Invasive species removal
10. Flushing Riverview Park – 299 S Cherry St, Flushing, MI 48433 Trash and debris cleanup
11. Flushing Township Nature Park – 8295 N McKinley Rd, Flushing, MI 48433 Trash and debris clean up
12. Rain Barrel Workshop @ the Neighborhood Engagement Hub* – 3216 Martin Luther King Ave, Flint, MI 48505 Sponsored by River Network. Volunteer to build rain barrels to donate to communicty members or take one home for your very own. Space is limited. *Registration is required by April 20^th.
13. Join us in Lapeer County at 6 other sites! – Meet at Cramton Park: 198 S Main St, Lapeer, MI 48446 Call Peter McCreedy: (810) 614-7594 to sign up!

Volunteers are encouraged to pre-register, but are also welcome to “Just show up!” Volunteers will each receive a canvas Flint River Watershed Coalition tote bag while supplies last. Some equipment will be provided. Volunteers should wear long sleeves, long pants, closed- toed shoes and be prepared to be outdoors. Families are welcome at all sites. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult, Minors under the age of 18 must have a liability waiver signed by a parent/guardian. Volunteer Appreciation Lunches will be held in the former Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Park at 2000 James P. Cole Blvd., Flint, MI 48503 from noon until 2 PM and at Cramton Park in Lapeer from noon until 1 PM. Organizers are asking that groups of six or more pre-register for a particular site by April 20^th. Participants interested in the Rain Barrel Workshop must also pre-register by April 20^th by contacting Sarah Scheitler at sscheitler@flintriver.org or 810-767-6490.

Contact Autumn Mitchell at amitchell@flintriver.org or 810-767-9491 if you have questions about the Genesee County events. In Lapeer, contact Peter McCreedy at (810) 614-7594 to register.

The Flint River Watershed Coalition seeks a healthy, vibrant, active Flint River watershed for all. We work in partnership to protect, promote, and improve the Flint River and its watershed.