The Adopt-A-Stream program was recognized in 2004 for leadership in volunteer monitoring when we were awarded a contract from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to establish a new statewide volunteer stream and lake monitoring program, in partnership with the Great Lakes Commission. Click on the link to the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) webpage to learn more!

»	How does the Adopt-A-Stream program help the Huron River System?
»	What is involved with volunteering for the Adopt-A-Stream program?
»	What does the Adopt-A-Stream program hope to accomplish?
»	What successes has the Adopt-A-Stream program had thus far?
»	Who is the contact person for the Adopt-A-Stream program?

How does the Adopt-A-Stream program help the Huron River System?
The Adopt-A-Stream Program provides an opportunity for residents to learn about the river by experiencing it. Volunteers assess habitat, water quality, and aquatic life in the Huron River and its tributaries as part of an ongoing scientific study. Volunteers began collecting monitoring results in 1992. This information is critical to preserve the Huron River; it provides a detailed history about stream conditions, enabling continued monitoring to detect problems early while correction is still possible. Check out the Monitoring Reports of the Adopt-A-Stream program.

The Adopt-A-Stream Program helps you to protect the river. In addition to education, the program provides assistance to people who want to protect the river and streams. Many volunteers use the data to educate and advise their communities on stream protection. Other volunteer actions include changing their lawn care practices or other behaviors, investigating pollution sources, educating their neighbors, and working on land-use planning.

What is involved with volunteering for the Adopt-A-Stream program? Will I need to get wet? What if I don’t have science training? Who should volunteer?
Unlike many volunteer programs such as Adopt-A-Highway, we do NOT focus on clean-ups or other isolated service projects. Rather, most of the activities in the program are part of a study of the river and its creeks. Working with a team of 3 to 6 people, you will have an opportunity to meet new people who share your interest in the natural world. As you do the various activities, whether it is measuring how fast the water flows or finding the small creatures living on the bottom, you will discover remarkable beauty and variety in and around the creek.

You will not need to get wet, as only one or two members of the team need to be in the creek while the others work on the bank. We provide the needed equipment, including waders. However, we sometimes work in the rain, so you need to bring good rain clothes and warm clothes if it is cool. Should you prefer to work indoors, we have a variety of activities and tasks that fit your needs.

No prior experience is necessary. We teach you everything you need to get started, and you will learn more while you are working with a team to study the creek. The leaders of the teams are people who have found the activities very interesting and have undertaken additional training in our workshops.

The activities are designed for adults, but interested children are welcome when an adult accompanies each one. Participants include individuals, families, and organized groups. A meaningful involvement can take very little time, perhaps 2 to 5 half-days a year. To get started, try just one activity and then decide if you want to do more. Check out the Adopt Events Calendar for upcoming Adopt activities.

What does the Adopt-A-Stream program hope to accomplish for the Huron River System?
The Adopt-A-Stream Program strives to educate watershed residents about their connection to the river and also the current conditions of the Huron River and its tributary streams. In addition, a central goal of the program is to inspire people to take actions that lead to better river protection at home and in their communities.

What successes has the Adopt-A-Stream program had thus far?
The program currently involves over 400 residents in monitoring71 study sites throughout the Huron River Watershed, making it known as “the best studied river in Michigan”. Information about the condition of the river system has resulted in resource protection in various ways, including:

• In 2001 the Livingston County Road Commission designed an expensive free span bridge in the Hamburg Road repairs to minimize the impact to South Ore Creek, which our data showed was in good condition.
• In 1997 Adopt-A-Stream volunteers identified a small but chronic oil spill, that was then corrected, in Chelsea’s Letts Creek.
• For many years the Fleming Creek Advisory Council, the Millers Creek Action Team and the Malletts Creek Association have been making great progress in influencing creek protection in their communities. They serve as educational and technical resources for community decision makers and have been instrumental in helping their communities improve development plans to protect the local creek.

How is the Adopt-A-Stream program funded?
For the first nine years of the program, Adopt-A-Stream was supported by Clean Water Act funds. Currently, funding comes from partnerships with several local businesses and foundations, and, very importantly, through individual memberships. Learn how you can Join HRWC and support Adopt-A-Stream and other Huron River watershed protection efforts.

Who is the contact person for the Adopt-A-Stream program?
Direct inquiries about the Adopt-A-Stream program to Joan Martin or Jo Latimore at:

Huron River Watershed Council
1100 N. Main Street, Suite 210
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734/769-5123 x11

Last Updated: February 2006