Adopt-A-Stream
Adopt-A-Stream is an exciting, citizen-lead effort to track water quality throughout the Grand Traverse Bay watershed.
Adopt-A-Stream is perfect for families, schools, neighborhood groups, employee clubs – just about anyone who cares about the deep link between our water quality and quality of life.
And all it takes is a couple hours twice a year!
Here’s How it Works
- Work with The Watershed Center to find a stream sampling location.
- Assemble a monitoring team.
- Donate $50 per team to help cover equipment costs. Or find a Stream Sponsor!
- Pledge to monitor your stream once during June and October.
- Designate a team leader, who will receive training from the Watershed Center for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates. That’s fancy scientific terminology for “aquatic insects”, which can signify a stream’s health.
Here’s What You Get
- Recognition in the Watershed Center web site and newsletter
- Fun, hands-on, place-based education
- Pride of ownership in our water quality
How To Get Started
- Assemble a team yourself or join an open team!
- Attend our New Volunteer Orientation and Training, which is held each spring and fall prior to sampling. No commitment necessary – come and learn about the program!
- Email Heather at hsmith@gtbay.org or call 935.1514 ext 3 to learn more.
Become an Adopt-A-Stream Sponsor!
Businesses, organizations, and individuals can become Adopt-A-Stream River or Stream Sponsors for an annual donation. Perks include:
- Name and logo on Adopt-A-Stream t-shirts
- Name and link on web site
- Name and logo in Watershed Moments print newsletters at least once per year
- Publicity in Watershed Moments e-newsletter
- Publicity on Watershed Center Facebook page
- Unique opportunity to showcase your company’s or organization’s commitment to and investment in local water quality
- Complimentary tour of Grand Traverse Bay on the Bay Monitor tugboat
Interested in becoming an Adopt-A-Stream Sponsor? Find all the sponsorship details here!
Many Thanks to Our River Sponsors!
- Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
- Green Pharm
- Hazelnut Kids
- Tom’s Food Markets
- Wildlife and Wetlands Solutions
Thank You to Our Stream Sponsors!
- The Donaldson Family
- Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association
- Captain’s Quarters
Adopt-A-Stream Data
- Our data is stored in the MiCorps Statewide Database
- View our 2019 Adopt-A-Stream Annual Report