Upper Grand River Watershed Alliance

Last Saturday we visited four sites to see what macroinvertebrates were in the water. Aquatic insects and other small animals living in the river tell us about the quality of the water. When it is good, some like to hang around. When it gets bad, they leave!

Spring cleaning and finding some toxic materials that you don't need/want any more? Take them to the JCCD's hazardous waste collection on May 21. Prior registration required (so they know how much they are getting!).

2026 Hazardous Waste Collection #1 — Jackson County CD CLICK HERE TO RSVP!! The Jackson County Conservation District will be holding a Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Thursday, May 21st, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.! The collection will be held at the Jackson County DOT in the lot on the corner of N. Elm and Chanter (next

Windy but sunny Earth Day celebration at Cascades Park on Sunday in Jackson. Thanks to the The Dahlem Environmental Education Center for lending us their stormwater model. We had fun with participants encouraging them how to help keep only rain going down the drain!

Tomorrow!

Learn more about how to identify and control lesser celandine!

Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), also known as fig buttercup, is a perennial plant in the buttercup family. Native to Europe and Asia, it is considered an invasive "spring ephemeral" in North America. This plant has been listed on Michigan's invasive species watch list and has been found in southern Michigan. We will discuss lesser celandine impacts to our natural areas, identification tips, management options and challenges, and steps people can take to prevent its spread to new areas.

Wednesday, April 1st, 2026
7:00pm to 8:00pm

Register here or scan the code in the flyer: tinyurl.com/Ficaria

With the warming temperatures, think spring and putting native plants into your garden! A good source is the Jackson County Conservation District (JCCD), which has a tree and plant sale going on now! Details are here:

Annual Tree Sale — Jackson County CD Welcome to Jackson County Conservation District's Annual Tree & Native Plant Sale! Support our District's work while helping plant native species in our area. Details & available products are all here.

If you have hemlock trees, please check them for hemlock woolley adelgid. If you don't have any lower branches, you clip a couple small branches and take a peak. When there is snow, you can try using bionoculars or zoom camera lenses!

Stay safe in the cold!

With extreme cold temperatures across Michigan, many homeowners are switching from rock salt to calcium chloride because it works at much lower temperatures. While calcium chloride is effective, it is important to use it carefully to protect our lakes, rivers, and groundwater.

Both rock salt and calcium chloride contain chlorides that can wash into storm drains and nearby waterways. High chloride levels can harm aquatic life, disrupt natural water systems, and accumulate in groundwater over time.

How homeowners can reduce impacts on water quality:
• Shovel first to remove as much snow and ice as possible
• Apply ice melt sparingly. A handful (2 to 3 ounces) per square yard is enough to clear sidewalks
• Focus on high-traffic areas only
• Sweep up unused product and reuse it when possible
• Keep salty snow and runoff away from storm drains, ditches, and water bodies

Using the right amount of ice melt helps keep walkways safe while protecting Michigan’s water resources. A little goes a long way!

Learn more about how you can be Salt Smart with these free resources: https://saltsmart.org/residents/