SEMCOG, the One Water partners, and the Southeast Michigan Partners for Clean Water join Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in encouraging you to participate in Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week by celebrating Southeast Michigan’s abundant water resources through recreation, education, and stewardship activities.

One Water logo with three overlapping blue water droplets above the text onewater and the tagline Keep it fresh. Keep it flowing.

2026 Great Lakes and Freshwater Week events

Collage showing community planting, park development, coastal aerial views, volunteer gardening, and kayaking on a wooded river.

June

June 6: Friends of the St. Clair River Sturgeon Fest

The 15th Annual Sturgeon Fest will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Fort Gratiot Lightstation Park in Port Huron. Visitors can enjoy the Shore Experience with a live sturgeon touch tank, hands-on activities, food trucks, and music, or the Ship Experience aboard the Huron Lady II with wildlife biologists and a sturgeon aquarium cruise on the St. Clair River and Lake Huron. Admission to the shore festival is free, while the ship cruises require tickets, and all proceeds support local conservation and education programs.

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June 20: Friends of the Detroit River Belle Isle Kayak Cleanup

A Belle Isle Cleanup will take place Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. near the Belle Isle Aquarium on Belle Isle. Hosted in partnership with the Belle Isle Conservancy and its Keep Belle Isle Beautiful initiative, volunteers can help clean the canals by kayak or participate in land-based cleanup; kayaks are limited, and a Michigan State Recreation Passport is required.

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August

August 8: Monroe Annual River Raisin Cleanup

The City of Monroe will be hosting its annual River Raisin Clean-up Day on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Volunteers are always needed for light, medium or heavy tasks. Whether you’re an individual, family, organization or business, your help is desired. Supplies provided include gloves, boots and trash pickers while available. Organized by the City of Monroe Commission on the Environment, volunteer for this community and environmental pride focused event.

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Get Involved Everyday!

Share your water fun and/or stewardship photos, actions, and stories on social media with #MiGreatLakesWeek.

While we celebrate Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week in June, there are opportunities year-round to volunteer and be good stewards of our fresh water resources. Learn more about how to get involved in your local communities water quality work below.

When recreating in our valuable water resources this year, remember to be good stewards of the environment, as well as to other people. Be sure to take extra safety precautions to keep yourself and others safe. It’s One Water, and it’s ours to protect.