Friends of the St. Clair River

06/20/2026

This National you can help by creating monarch habitat in your yard. The Monarch Waystation program provides the guidelines: 👉🏻Have at least 10 native milkweed plants of at least 2 species.

🦋Surveys of overwintering habitat showed that eastern monarch populations declined by 59% last winter, the second lowest count in history. Monarch butterflies need our help.

🔎 Learn more about Monarch Waystations at https://monarchwatch.org/waystations/

🎁 You can also help protect monarchs with our Adopt a Monarch Butterfly package! Each adoption kit comes equipped with a plushie, butterfly identification guide, and information about monarch butterfly conservation.

🦋Adopt a Monarch Butterfly! https://form.jotform.com/233234450887157

06/19/2026

We're thankful to receive a MiCorps: Michigan Clean Water Corps grant! We’ll be able to upgrade our monitoring equipment and expand our program.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program is what enables us to conduct water quality and habitat monitoring with our volunteers.
Volunteers can participate by helping collect data about our watershed — protecting rivers and streams for future generations!

👉Nearly $100,000 will help organizations improve Michigan waterways - Read on:
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/press-releases/2026/05/08/egle-awards-20-grants-to-conduct-stream-cleanups-and-monitoring

👉MiCorps’ Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program: https://www.micorps.net/streams

06/17/2026

Nope, those aren’t spots on the screen, it’s the Great Caddisfly Hatch time! 🪰

Caddisflies begin their lives in the water. After overwintering as eggs or larvae, they emerge from the water as flying adult insects.

This June, if you encounter the Great Caddisfly Hatch, remember caddisflies are a good thing! 👍These little insects provide food for fish, won’t bite, and let us know how clean our watershed is. What more could you ask for in a bug?!

👉🏻Read our article about the Great Caddisfly Hatch and why these little insects matter: https://scriver.org/its-the-great-caddisfly-hatch/ 🪰

MiCorps: Michigan Clean Water Corps

06/16/2026

Looking for an activity for the kids this summer? Head to Monarch Watch’s Kids Zone!

Made by kids for kids, Monarch Watch Kids Zone has interactive pages, a printable booklet, fun facts, games, and more. There are so many things to learn about monarchs and other pollinators, and this is a great way to get kids involved in community science and foster a curiosity for the natural world.

Check out the Monarch Watch Kids Zone at 👉🏻 https://monarchwatch.my.canva.site/kidszone?fbclid=IwdGRjcASeFutleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEevpcYor4ugdzaD1HmVV0siZ6DtCDLIcOwwYw8p3YwD12CDbvwW8NSUQwgOLk_aem_Jki71JGV9kh4edKL-r-6PQ

06/15/2026

What’s the Bridge to Bay Trail need? You tell us!

The Bridge to Bay Trail is a growing trail in St. Clair County that connects communities along the St. Clair River from Lakeport State Park to Algonac State Park. Help guide improvements and ensure the trail reflects the experiences you want!

Answer the questions you are interested in, skip the ones you aren't. The survey takes 5⃣ minutes. Thank you !
👉https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BTBtrail_

06/14/2026

🌸Count the petals! That's how you know the difference between the native Woodland Phlox (5 petals) and invasive Dame's Rocket (4 petals).

Woodland Phlox is beautiful and the flowers attract a variety of pollinators. On the other hand, Dame's Rocket spreads quickly and crowds out beneficial native plants. So, pull the invasive Dame's Rocket from the roots 🧤and throw it in your trash (not compost). Then, replace it with Woodland Phlox.

🚶‍♀️Learn about these plants (and more!) at our weekly Tuesday Treks at the Blue Water River Walk. 👉🏻 https://www.facebook.com/share/1JSz75A8YA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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06/13/2026

Welcome, Simon, our summer intern! 😎Throughout the summer, he will be dipping his feet into more than just rivers.

He'll be educating kids about wildlife, learning how to maintain native flower gardens, identify invasive species, and measure water quality.

Simon recently graduated from St. Clair County Community College with an Associate of Science and plans on transferring to Michigan Technological University to pursue a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.

☀️It’s going to be a great summer! 👋Meet our staff 👉🏻https://scriver.org/about-us/staff-board/

06/12/2026

Big shoutout to Michigan State University for securing this National Science Foundation (NSF) grant!

With this funding, we’re teaming up with some awesome watershed orgs like Clinton River Watershed Council, Friends of the Detroit River, Huron River Watershed Council, Friends of the Rouge, and Michigan Sea Grant. This collab is all about tapping into what people actually need when it comes to urban wetlands.

🤔Let’s clear something up—wetlands might look swampy, but they are stacked with life. We’re talking whooping cranes, bog turtles, rare fish, cool frogs, threatened plants— Plus, they’re clutch for cities too: cleaning water and reducing floods.

Wetlands for the win! Read on! 👉🏻

Project will focus on developing education plans and activities related to wetlands that address community needs and increase participants’ scientific literacy and engagement.

06/11/2026

Fresh water is life! From Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, it provides drinking water, and places for swimming and fishing. What is your favorite way to enjoy the St. Clair River?

During Great Lakes & Fresh Water Week, we recognize the importance of protecting, appreciating, and preserving our freshwater.

Freshwater is who we are — let’s take care of it!

06/11/2026

Whether you have volunteered before or are coming for the first time, we invite you join us TODAY, June 11, for a native planting day at Cottrellville Shoreline Park! 🌿

📍 Cottrellville Shoreline Park, 8559 River Rd
🕕Thursday June 11th, 10am - 12pm

There is a free lunch for volunteers after the event at AJ's Salt Docks.

Native plants help to make this space beautiful for the community and a thriving habitat for pollinators. 🦋 Event Details here 👉🏻https://www.facebook.com/share/1ENBRtvZRE/ 🌱

Partner: The Office Of Cottrellville Township