A big part of living in Northern Michigan is the maintenance and conservation of the watershed and the natural beauty of our community. See below for ways to get involved with water conservation, water bottle elimination and a chance to have your picture on a calendar!


Feast of the Watershed in Elk Rapids, Sunday, October 26 at 4 pm

On Sunday, October 26 “Feast of the Watershed” will take place at Siren Hall in Elk Rapids.

The evening includes happy hour beginning at 4 pm and a five-course feast created by Chef Michael Peterson featuring local foods of the watershed.

Reservations are required for this event and tickets are $40 per person, excluding drinks and gratuity. Net proceeds from the dinner will support The Watershed Center’s mission to protect and preserve Grand Traverse Bay and its 1,000-square-mile watershed.

Please call Siren Hall 231.264.6062 to reserve your table.

 

Annual Watershed Photo Contest

Submit your best watershed shots! The watershed is now accepting submissions for the 2014 photography contest. The top 12 photographs will be chosen for the 2015 calendar.

To learn more about the contest click here.

 

Fundraiser at the State Theatre in Traverse City: Divide in Concord, Tuesday, October 28 at 6 pm

This evening is a fundraiser for a new TC City Parks Water Bottle Filling Station. In 2009, Traverse City established a resolution called “Take Back the Tap” which resolved not to purchase any bottled water on behalf of the city or for another function. Since then, there have been several water bottle filling stations installed around town to encourage people to refill their water bottles.

Currently there are filling stations:

  • F&M Park
  • Volleyball Courts at the Open Space
  • Clinch Park
  • Edge of Open Space at Grandview & Clinch
  • Veteran’s Park (installation in the spring)

The movie, Divide in Concord was featured at the 2010 Traverse City Film Festival and it explores the story of Jean Hill, an octogenarian who learned about the world’s largest landfill and decided to take action. She takes on the International Bottled Water Association and a slew of others opposing her cause. Mayor Michael Estes will be at the event and there will also be a Q&A with the director and producer of the film at the conclusion of the film.

To learn more about this event or to purchase tickets visit the State Theatre’s website.

 

7th Annual Freshwater Summit in Traverse City, October 31 from 9 am–2:30 pm at the Hagerty Center, NMC Great Lakes Campus, 715 E. Front St.

The Freshwater Summit is an annual conference of environmental professionals and concerned citizens focusing on current issues facing the Great Lakes region. Jon Allan of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of the Great Lakes will provide the keynote address for the 7th Annual Freshwater Summit. To see the full itinerary click here.

 

More Northern Michigan Environment

Northern Michigan Celebrates Farm to School Month

Women on Water: Rowing a Northern Michigan Boat

Northern Michigan Environment: Jim Olson on FLOW for Water