Events
Rain Garden Workshop
Rain Gardens 101: Create, Manage & Enjoy!
Learn how rain gardens protect our water and enhance your landscape
Join us for an informative and hands-on session all about rain gardens—beautiful, eco-friendly solutions for managing stormwater runoff and supporting local ecosystems.
What You’ll Learn:
How rain gardens absorb and filter runoff, preventing erosion and protecting water quality
The environmental benefits for your yard and community
Step-by-step guidance on designing, planting, and maintaining your own rain garden
How to choose and source native plants locally
Future volunteer opportunities to help install a rain garden in Hastings
Don’t miss this opportunity to dig into sustainable landscaping!
Thornapple River Watershed Council Meeting
Date and location subject to change
Join the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) for a board meeting.
Topics of interest include: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) watershed council support grant, annual cleanup, water quality, and more!
Can’t make it in person? Join us online!
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pxr-hsjy-qxr
Or dial: (US) +1 218-461-0924 PIN: 854 134 747#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pxr-hsjy-qxr?pin=5720820692510
Spring Stream Sampling
The Barry Conservation District, in partnership with the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW), received a Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) Volunteer Stream Monitoring Implementation Grant for water quality monitoring in the Thornapple River Watershed.
Macroinvertebrate sampling is an easy and fun way to determine water quality. Macro - big enough to be seen by the naked eye | Invertebrate - animal without a backbone. Some macroinvertebrates are very sensitive and can only survive in high quality waters, others can live with high amounts of pollution present. This is a great way to get a long-term view on current water quality.
Sign up below and choose your preferred site and sampling date and time. There will be 3 sampling teams with 4-7 people per team.
BCD MiCorps Monitoring Sites
Macroinvertebrate Identification Workshop
Join us at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute as we identify, and count macroinvertebrates collected through the MiCorps volunteer stream monitoring program.
Matt Bain, Aquatic Specialist & Education Coordinator from LGROW will guide us through proper identification of macroinvertebrates and related water quality ratings.
Please register before May 8th
Participants sorting and identifying macroinvertebrates in the lab with microscopes and data sheets
Ice cube tray filled with water and sorted macroinvertebrates
Thornapple River Watershed Council Meeting
Date and location subject to change Likely to change due to holiday**
Join the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) for a board meeting.
Topics of interest include: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) watershed council support grant, annual cleanup, water quality, and more!
Can’t make it in person? Join us online!
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/iwq-bqzc-thq
Or dial: (US) +1 929-249-4837 PIN: 169 952 868#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/iwq-bqzc-thq?pin=7693926095318
Rain Garden Workshop
Rain Gardens 101: Create, Manage & Enjoy!
Learn how rain gardens protect our water and enhance your landscape
Join us for an informative and hands-on session all about rain gardens—beautiful, eco-friendly solutions for managing stormwater runoff and supporting local ecosystems.
What You’ll Learn:
How rain gardens absorb and filter runoff, preventing erosion and protecting water quality
The environmental benefits for your yard and community
Step-by-step guidance on designing, planting, and maintaining your own rain garden
How to choose and source native plants locally
Future volunteer opportunities to help install a rain garden in Hastings
Don’t miss this opportunity to dig into sustainable landscaping!
Thornapple River Watershed Council Meeting
Date and location subject to change
Join the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) for a board meeting.
Topics of interest include: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) watershed council support grant, annual cleanup, water quality, and more!
Can’t make it in person? Join us online!
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/fwo-ioto-zsp
Or dial: (US) +1 209-734-0135 PIN: 692 780 208#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/fwo-ioto-zsp?pin=5690555630021
Rain Garden Workshop
RESCHEDULED - DATE TBA
Rain Gardens 101: Create, Manage & Enjoy!
Learn how rain gardens protect our water and enhance your landscape
Join us for an informative and hands-on session all about rain gardens—beautiful, eco-friendly solutions for managing stormwater runoff and supporting local ecosystems.
What You’ll Learn:
How rain gardens absorb and filter runoff, preventing erosion and protecting water quality
The environmental benefits for your yard and community
Step-by-step guidance on designing, planting, and maintaining your own rain garden
How to choose and source native plants locally
Future volunteer opportunities to help install a rain garden in Hastings
Don’t miss this opportunity to dig into sustainable landscaping!
Rain Garden Workshop
Rain Gardens 101: Create, Manage & Enjoy!
Learn how rain gardens protect our water and enhance your landscape
Join us for an informative and hands-on session all about rain gardens—beautiful, eco-friendly solutions for managing stormwater runoff and supporting local ecosystems.
What You’ll Learn:
How rain gardens absorb and filter runoff, preventing erosion and protecting water quality
The environmental benefits for your yard and community
Step-by-step guidance on designing, planting, and maintaining your own rain garden
How to choose and source native plants locally
Future volunteer opportunities to help install a rain garden in Hastings
Don’t miss this opportunity to dig into sustainable landscaping!
Thornapple River Watershed Council Meeting
Join the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) for a board meeting.
Topics of interest include: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) watershed council support grant, annual cleanup, water quality, and more!
Can’t make it in person? Join us online!
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/vos-twwd-rzn
Or dial: (US) +1 252-330-6385 PIN: 569 032 625#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/vos-twwd-rzn?pin=3877045924876
Thornapple River Watershed Council Meeting
Join the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) for a board meeting.
Topics of interest include: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) watershed council support grant, annual cleanup, water quality, and more!
Can’t make it in person? Join us online!
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rpe-bdiu-rqm
Or dial: (US) +1 813-874-9034 PIN: 434 874 167#
MiCorps Macro Identification Workshop
We will be identifying and quantifying macroinvertebrates collected during the Fall MiCorps sampling events (September 25-27) learn more and sign up to sample at https://www.barrycd.org/events/fall-micorps-sampling
Fall MiCorps Sampling
The Barry Conservation District, in partnership with the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW), received a Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) Volunteer Stream Monitoring Implementation Grant for water quality monitoring in the Thornapple River Watershed.
This monitoring grant provides us with the training and equipment to preform macroinvertebrate sampling throughout the watershed to monitor water quality conditions by collecting macroinvertebrates. Macro - big enough to be seen by the naked eye | Invertebrate - animal without a backbone
Macroinvertebrate sampling is an easy and fun way to determine water quality. Some macroinvertebrates are very sensitive and can only survive in high quality waters, others can live with high amounts of pollution present. This is a great way to get a long-term view on current water quality.
Want to know more? Watch this interview!
BCD MiCorps Monitoring Sites
Annual Thornapple River Cleanup
Join us for the annual Thornapple River Cleanup!
Locations in Ada, Caledonia, Middleville, and Hastings!
Wetland Compliance Field Day
Wetland Compliance Field Day
Farmers, landowners, and ag professionals are invited to a free, hands-on field day to discuss wetland compliance regulations that includes USDA/NRCS guidelines along with discussion of financial and technical assistance opportunities.
Cost: FREE
To Register: Email Sara Krieger at sara.krieger@macd.org, or call Sara at 616-490-3068
What’s Included:
• Expert guidance
• FREE Lunch (if you register with Sara by August 20)
*Sold Out* Rain Barrel Workshop
SOLD OUT
Rain Barrel Workshop
Rain barrels help manage stormwater, conserve water, and reduce pollution in our lakes and streams. Take action to protect West Michigan’s water with a fun and practical hands-on workshop and bring home your own rain barrel!
Cost: $50
What’s Included:
• A 55-gallon upcycled rain barrel
• All the components you need
• Expert guidance on setup, use, and maintenance
Workshop participants MUST register and pay in advance of the workshop so that the correct number of barrels will be available on site.
NOTE: This link does not yet show the workshop as of July 1, but will soon. In the meantime you can RSVP on the Facebook event for updates here,
A minimum of 10 barrels must be reserved before August 18 or the class will be canceled; maximum 2 barrels per household and participants are responsible for transporting barrels from the Hastings Public Library.
You will need to buy or build a separate base (like cement blocks) for your barrel to sit on and be off of the ground. This allows for better water flow. Rain barrels have the best catchment of rainwater on homes with gutters and downspouts but could be used in other areas that drip excessive rain water.
Let’s work together to care for our water — one barrel at a time!
Spots are limited. Registration is required to receive a rain barrel.
Presented by WMEAC, Thornapple River Watershed Council, Barry Conservation District, and Hastings Public Library
Kayak & Connect with your Watershed
Kayak and Connect Activities – 10am Departure
Open to anyone and everyone. Take a peaceful morning paddle in a beautiful stretch of river from Middleville Dam down to 108th Street Indian Valley Campground. It is approximately a three hour trip. Free parking down by the river at Indian Valley for those of you bringing your canoe or kayak. Please check in at the office for a parking pass.
Meet at the public launch below the dam. Turn northwest off of E Main St. onto Railroad St to River St.
If you want to rent a kayak call Indian Valley Livery. They handle everything. You will have to arrive there at 9:30 am.
616-891-8579
1pm - 3pm TRWC Meet and Greet
Learn about the watershed, areas of concern, creative environmental projects underway and how to get involved and participate with the Thornapple River Watershed Council. Educational information and knowledgeable individuals will be on site. Our watershed is so large it "takes a village" to take care of it and protect it. Come share your concerns and discuss interests with others who feel the same!
Hope to see you there!
Rain Garden Workshop
Learn how to build a rain garden to prevent pollution in stormwater runoff, reduce erosion, and attract pollinators at this interactive workshop on June 11, 2025 at the Hastings Public Library!
MiCorps Macro Identification Workshop
Join us at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute as we identify, and count macroinvertebrates collected through the MiCorps volunteer stream monitoring program.
Matt Bain, Aquatic Specialist & Education Coordinator from LGROW will guide us through proper identification of macroinvertebrates and related water quality ratings.
Please register before May 5th
MiCorps Spring Macroinvertebrate Sampling
The Barry Conservation District, in partnership with the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds - LGROW, received a MiCorps: Michigan Clean Water Corps Volunteer Stream Monitoring Implementation Grant for water quality monitoring in the Thornapple River Watershed.
Macroinvertebrate sampling is an easy and fun way to determine water quality. Some macroinvertebrates are very sensitive and can only survive in high quality waters, others can live with high amounts of pollution present. This is a great way to get a long-term view on current water quality.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the health and quality of the Thornapple River! As a volunteer, you'll be at the forefront of data collection and analysis, helping us maintain the determine future projects and monitoring efforts.