Happy Earth Day from the Watershed Council! Our staff spent the day yesterday removing trash from the Bear River at LTBB Odawa Natural Resources Department cleanup event. We picked up lots of plastic, glass, and even some cool critters. What are your Earth Day plans?

Happy Earth Day from the Watershed Council! Our staff spent the day yesterday removing trash from the Bear River at LTBB Odawa Natural Resources Department cleanup event. We picked up lots of plastic, glass, and even some cool critters. What are your Earth Day plans? …
Thanks again to Lauren Dey and Jennifer McKay for their informative presentation today on septic systems and their impacts on our waters!
If you missed it, you can view a recording of the Ice breaker at:
https://www.watershedcouncil.org/pastevents.html

Thanks again to Lauren Dey and Jennifer McKay for their informative presentation today on septic systems and their impacts on our waters!
If you missed it, you can view a recording of the Ice breaker at:
https://www.watershedcouncil.org/pastevents.html …
It’s almost Earth Day and there’s one week left to join in on our Earth Day BINGO event! Each square has an action you can do to help protect our planet and our water. Turn in a BINGO card with five activities in a row completed to earn your “Make Every Day Earth Day” sticker. Find out more on our website: www.watershedcouncil.org
BINGO Square Activities Pictured:
Rain barrel, square 18
Wash laundry on cold, square 21
Unplug electronics, square 9
#TOMWCEarthDay

It’s almost Earth Day and there’s one week left to join in on our Earth Day BINGO event! Each square has an action you can do to help protect our planet and our water. Turn in a BINGO card with five activities in a row completed to earn your “Make Every Day Earth Day” sticker. Find out more on our website: www.watershedcouncil.org
BINGO Square Activities Pictured:
Rain barrel, square 18
Wash laundry on cold, square 21
Unplug electronics, square 9
#TOMWCEarthDay …
Happy volunteer appreciation week!
Here at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, we know our volunteers are a vital part of how we continue to protect our waters. From wading through streams to preparing mailings, our volunteers make research and restoration efforts throughout our service area possible. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, we couldn’t do what we do without you!
If you’re interested in joining our group of amazing volunteers, check out our website at https://www.watershedcouncil.org/volunteer.html

Happy volunteer appreciation week!
Here at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, we know our volunteers are a vital part of how we continue to protect our waters. From wading through streams to preparing mailings, our volunteers make research and restoration efforts throughout our service area possible. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, we couldn’t do what we do without you!
If you’re interested in joining our group of amazing volunteers, check out our website at https://www.watershedcouncil.org/volunteer.html …
Join us next Wednesday, April 19th, from 12 to 1 pm for our final Ice Breaker of the year! With no statewide sanitary code and more than 10,000 inland lakes, how do we protect local waterways from leaking or failing septic systems? Lauren Dey, Watershed Programs Director, and Jennifer McKay, Policy Director, will share the results of a 2022 septic study conducted on Lake Charlevoix, provide a policy update on the Watershed Council`s work at the state and local level, and share lessons learned about monitoring surface water and groundwater for septic pollution.
Lauren Dey joined the Watershed Council in May of 2021 and is responsible for developing Watershed Management Plans (WMPs), running watershed advisory committees, and ensuring that all education, restoration, and monitoring efforts align with WMPs. She grew up in Harbor Springs and developed a deep appreciation of everything Northern Michigan has to offer. She attended Lake Superior State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology. Lauren spent six years before joining the Watershed Council working for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in the water quality program.
Jennifer McKay joined the Watershed Council in 2005 and is responsible for state and federal policy and advocacy to improve protection of our water resources. She serves on the Great Lakes Commission and the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Authority. She also serves on many local boards and committees including the Emmet County Local Emergency Planning Committee and as Vice Chair for the Michigan Environmental Council Board of Directors. She graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Studies and Political Science.
Register online at www.watershedcouncil.org/attend-an-event

Join us next Wednesday, April 19th, from 12 to 1 pm for our final Ice Breaker of the year! With no statewide sanitary code and more than 10,000 inland lakes, how do we protect local waterways from leaking or failing septic systems? Lauren Dey, Watershed Programs Director, and Jennifer McKay, Policy Director, will share the results of a 2022 septic study conducted on Lake Charlevoix, provide a policy update on the Watershed Council`s work at the state and local level, and share lessons learned about monitoring surface water and groundwater for septic pollution.
Lauren Dey joined the Watershed Council in May of 2021 and is responsible for developing Watershed Management Plans (WMPs), running watershed advisory committees, and ensuring that all education, restoration, and monitoring efforts align with WMPs. She grew up in Harbor Springs and developed a deep appreciation of everything Northern Michigan has to offer. She attended Lake Superior State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology. Lauren spent six years before joining the Watershed Council working for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in the water quality program.
Jennifer McKay joined the Watershed Council in 2005 and is responsible for state and federal policy and advocacy to improve protection of our water resources. She serves on the Great Lakes Commission and the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Authority. She also serves on many local boards and committees including the Emmet County Local Emergency Planning Committee and as Vice Chair for the Michigan Environmental Council Board of Directors. She graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Studies and Political Science.
Register online at www.watershedcouncil.org/attend-an-event …
If you have been spring cleaning, don`t forget your medicine cabinet. You can dispose of any unwanted and unused medications this Saturday at McLaren Northen Michigan Petoskey Campus from 9am – 1pm. You can drop off over-the-counter medications, prescription meds including controlled substances, and even pet medications. You can bring in pills, liquids, ointments, and lotions. By properly disposing of unwanted drugs, you will help us keep our rivers and drinking water clean and our communities and families safe.

If you have been spring cleaning, don`t forget your medicine cabinet. You can dispose of any unwanted and unused medications this Saturday at McLaren Northen Michigan Petoskey Campus from 9am – 1pm. You can drop off over-the-counter medications, prescription meds including controlled substances, and even pet medications. You can bring in pills, liquids, ointments, and lotions. By properly disposing of unwanted drugs, you will help us keep our rivers and drinking water clean and our communities and families safe. …
After nearly 20 years, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council sadly said goodbye to Jen Buchanan yesterday. In her nearly 20 years, she spent working for the Watershed Council, she contributed an enormous amount of effort and commitment to protecting our water resources. While there is no way to list all of her accomplishments over the years, we do know that Jen`s efforts will have a lasting impact on Northern Michigan in every watershed management plan, greenbelt, road/stream crossing, rain garden, and so much more.
For much of her career, Jen had to work hard to overcome conventional attitudes and beliefs of how to protect water quality. Jen`s perseverance led to the Watershed Council being a beacon of lake-friendly shoreline practices, beautiful native plant, connected streams, and helpful strategies for watershed management. Her partnerships have leveraged millions of dollars in grant funding to protect our water resources. Her coworkers, past and present, consider her a leader, mentor, and friend. Her legacy at the Watershed Council will never be forgotten.
Thank you, Jen. Thank you for protecting our water. Our lakes and rivers would not be what they are without you. We are excited to see what you take on next. We will greatly miss you!

After nearly 20 years, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council sadly said goodbye to Jen Buchanan yesterday. In her nearly 20 years, she spent working for the Watershed Council, she contributed an enormous amount of effort and commitment to protecting our water resources. While there is no way to list all of her accomplishments over the years, we do know that Jen`s efforts will have a lasting impact on Northern Michigan in every watershed management plan, greenbelt, road/stream crossing, rain garden, and so much more.
For much of her career, Jen had to work hard to overcome conventional attitudes and beliefs of how to protect water quality. Jen`s perseverance led to the Watershed Council being a beacon of lake-friendly shoreline practices, beautiful native plant, connected streams, and helpful strategies for watershed management. Her partnerships have leveraged millions of dollars in grant funding to protect our water resources. Her coworkers, past and present, consider her a leader, mentor, and friend. Her legacy at the Watershed Council will never be forgotten.
Thank you, Jen. Thank you for protecting our water. Our lakes and rivers would not be what they are without you. We are excited to see what you take on next. We will greatly miss you! …
In celebration of Earth Day 2023, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council invites everyone to participate in “Earth Day BINGO,” kicking off April 1st through Earth Day, April 22.
It’s free to participate and each Earth Day BINGO card has more than 20 different activities, one per BINGO square, that you can do to help protect our planet. Once you complete five activities in a row (across, down or diagonally), just mail, drop off, or scan and email your card back to the Watershed Council to receive a special “Make Every Day Earth Day” sticker.
You can download your Earth Day BINGO card at our website events page, request a card by email at info@watershedcouncil.org, stop by the Watershed Council at 426 Bay Street in Downtown Petoskey, or call (231) 489-7290 to request a card by mail.

In celebration of Earth Day 2023, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council invites everyone to participate in “Earth Day BINGO,” kicking off April 1st through Earth Day, April 22.
It’s free to participate and each Earth Day BINGO card has more than 20 different activities, one per BINGO square, that you can do to help protect our planet. Once you complete five activities in a row (across, down or diagonally), just mail, drop off, or scan and email your card back to the Watershed Council to receive a special “Make Every Day Earth Day” sticker.
You can download your Earth Day BINGO card at our website events page, request a card by email at info@watershedcouncil.org, stop by the Watershed Council at 426 Bay Street in Downtown Petoskey, or call (231) 489-7290 to request a card by mail. …