There are so many ways to explore your watershed all year! 

The Huron River watershed is nothing short of remarkable. It plays a vital role in our daily lives. Thanks to the river, creeks, wetlands, and lakes, we can enjoy healthy ecosystems. Safe drinking water. Thriving towns and cities. Diverse wildlife. And inviting places to swim, fish, paddle, socialize, exercise or simply enjoy nature.  This year’s watershed community calendar encourages you to explore all that the watershed has to offer, whatever the season. Each month highlights a different recreation opportunity. See the resources below to inspire your next outing.

How many will you try in 2025? 


JANUARY: VOLUNTEER  

Three volunteers sit on a boardwalk looking through a sample of river leaves for stoneflies.
Credit: Bria Reininger

Volunteer for HRWC’s Winter Stonefly Search January 18th. Get outside and explore local creeks at this family-friendly event where volunteers collect important data on the health of our watershed. Stoneflies are an indicator of water quality. Sign up to volunteer 


FEBRUARY: CROSS COUNTRY SKI  

A person uses an adaptive sit-ski while cross country skiing on a snowy path.
Credit: Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Go cross country skiing! There are a number of parks around the watershed where you can find miles of groomed trails, equipment rentals, and even adaptive Sit-Skis for those unable to ski in an upright position. 

Learn more:
Metroparks
Washtenaw County Parks
Ann Arbor Ski Club 


MARCH: EXPLORE VERNAL POOLS  

A blue salamander peaks its head out of leaves.
Credit: John Metzler

Search for vernal pools in your local forests. Each spring, these small wetlands appear as they fill with spring meltwater, only to dry up by the summertime. Vernal pools are important habitats for salamanders, frogs, and fairy shrimp. Learn more about vernal pools. 


APRIL: CELEBRATE HRWC’S 60th ANNIVERSARY  

Two people plant natives plants next to a stream.
Credit: Ryan Poling, GIVE 365

Celebrate HRWC’s 60th Anniversary by giving back to your creek. Plan a cleanup with friends, or volunteer for Spring River Roundup. Head to an Earth Day event to learn about and celebrate our natural resources. Go to hrwc.org/calendar for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. 


MAY: PADDLE OR FLOAT  

Two people paddel in a blue and red kayak on a river.
Credit: Leslie Banks

Paddle or float down the Huron River Water Trail. There are inclusive universal access launches for everyone, including paddlers with disabilities. For locations with accessible launches, interactive maps, trip recommendations, camping, safety information, and outfitters that provide equipment rentals and transportation go to huronriverwatertrail.org. 


JUNE: GO FISHING 

A man standing in a river preparing a fly fishing rod.
Credit: Huron-Clinton Metroparks

You will find smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, perch, northern pike, catfish and carp throughout the river system. The Saturday and Sunday following the first full week of June is Michigan’s  Free Fishing Weekend, when fishing  license fees are waived for two days.    

Learn more:
Free Fishing Weekend
Southeast Michigan Shore Fishing Opportunities (MI DNR)
Schultz Outfitters 


JULY: EXPLORE SUMMER WILDFLOWERS  

A field of Michigan native yellow flowers.
Credit: John Metzler

Explore summer wildflowers at a prairie near you! Look for Yellow Coneflower, Blue Vervain, or Marsh Blazing Star. Need help finding a prairie? The watershed’s local land conservancies have nature preserves that are free to explore. 

Learn more:
Legacy Land Conservancy
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy
Livingston Land Conservancy
University of Michigan Nichols Arboretum 


AUGUST: EXPLORE A NEW PART OF THE WATERSHED 

A man and a boy stand looking at a river.
Credit: Huron-Clinton Metroparks

Explore a new part of the watershed! With over 300 lakes and ponds and 1200 miles of creeks and streams, there is surely somewhere you haven’t been before. Have you visited the Huron River’s headwaters at Indian Springs Metropark, or the river’s mouth at Pointe Mouillée? What about the river system’s many creeks? For inspiration, visit HRWC.org/maps to plan your next adventure. 


SEPTEMBER: GO BIRDING 

A group of people use binoculars and scopes to look at birds on the shore.
Credit: Detroit Bird Alliance

Go birding! During autumn, the skies over Southeast Michigan are alive with tens of thousands of hawks, eagles, falcons, and other birds of prey as they migrate south.  One of the most popular birding areas in Michigan is Pointe Mouillée State Game Area where the Huron River flows into Lake Erie.  

Learn more:
Birding at Pointe Mouillee (MI DNR)
Washtenaw Bird and Nature Alliance
Detroit Bird Alliance
Birding in Michigan (MI DNR) 


OCTOBER: GO CAMPING 

A campfire is in front of a table witha n orange table cloth and a pumpkin on tip in a forest.
Credit: HRWC

Camp in the fall colors in one of the seven state recreation areas in our watershed (Waterloo, Pinckney, Brighton, Island Lake, Proud Lake, Highland, and Pontiac Lake). Enjoy miles of trails, pristine lakes, and idyllic views of the river. Pitch a tent, park your RV, or rent a yurt or cabin.  

Make reservations and learn more:
Michigan State Recreation Areas
Lower Huron Metropark 


NOVEMBER: TAKE A BIKE RIDE  

Two people bike along a path with a red-leafed tree.
Credit: Huron-Waterloo Pathways Initiative

Take a bike ride along the Huron River before the winter chill really sets in! There are shared use paths in every county. The Border to Border Trail (Washtenaw), the Downriver Linked Greenways (Wayne), the Lakelands Trail (Livingston County), or the Huron Valley Trail (Oakland) offer miles of enjoyable biking through beautiful parks and city centers.  

See links to trail details on the Huron River Water Trail website. 


DECEMBER: GO FOR A WALK 

A group of people stand bundled up in the dark snow, their faces illuminated by lanterns.
Credit: Tony Pitts

Relax and unwind with family (or take some time for yourself) this holiday season by taking a stroll in your favorite park or preserve. Go for a winter lantern hike. Prowl for owls. Snowshoe through the woods. Remember, all water is connected, and while you might not be next to a river or stream, the actions you take anywhere in the watershed impact the quality of our rivers and lakes.  

Find a park near you with Southeast Michigan Council of Government’s ParkFinder tool.