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 of five images showing volunteers, water shoreline, kayaker.

April

April 18: Clinton River Watershed Cleanup

Many Clinton Cleanup events will take place Saturday, April 18, 2026 at multiple locations, including Yates/Bloomer Park, Riverwoods Park, Rochester High School, Paint Creek Trail from Tienken to Downtown Rochester, Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, Wolcott Mill Metropark, and Dodge Park. Volunteers can sign up for one or multiple locations to help clean and care for local waterways and green spaces. These events are part of the annual Clinton Cleanup, hosted in partnership with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the Metro-West Steelheaders, and lunch will be provided for participants.

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April 18: Friends of the Detroit River Spring Cleanup

A Spring Cleanup and Beautification event will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at John D. Dingell Park in Ecorse. Hosted in partnership with the Ecorse Creek Committee and the City of Ecorse, the event celebrates Earth Day by bringing volunteers together to clean up and beautify the area, with supplies provided and registration required.

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April 19: Clinton Watershed Council Cleanup

The Clinton Cleanup: Lake St. Clair Metropark will be held Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Lake St. Clair Metropark in Harrison Township. Volunteers of all ages will help celebrate Earth Day by cleaning the park to keep it safe and beautiful for people and wildlife, with tools, gloves, bags, snacks, and water provided. Free park entry is included, and pre-registration is required.

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April 22: Clinton River Watershed Council Cleanup

The Clinton Cleanup: Harper Spillway Park will take place Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Harper Spillway Park in Clinton Township. Volunteers will celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up the park and nearby bike trail, removing garlic mustard, and preparing areas for wildflower seeds. Supplies are provided and participants are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing and bring water.

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April 25: Huron River Watershed Council River Roundup

The River Roundup will take place Saturday, April 25, 2026, starting from the Huron River Watershed Council Office in Ann Arbor. Volunteers will work in teams to collect aquatic insects from streams across the Huron River watershed to help scientists assess river health and guide water quality restoration efforts.

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April 25: Friends of the Rouge Learn to Paddle

A Learn to Paddle program will take place April 25 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Ford Field Park in Dearborn. The session offers beginner-friendly paddling instruction on the park’s pond with guided support, with rental boats available for a fee or a smaller charge for those bringing their own. Registration is required.

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April 25: Friends of the St. Clair River Stream Team

The Stream Team Bug Hunt will be held Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at two locations, Columbus County Park and Pine River Nature Center. Volunteers of all ages will collect aquatic insects from local rivers and streams to help assess water quality, with gear provided and waders available to borrow. The event is free and open to all abilities.

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May

May 9: Friends of the Rouge May Spruce-Up

A Henry Ford Centennial Library May Spruce-Up will take place from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn. Volunteers of all ages can help maintain the library’s rain gardens—removing weeds, planting native species, and improving habitat for local wildlife—with tools and supplies provided. Registration is required.

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May 16: Friends of the Detroit River Belle Isle Kayak Cleanup

A Belle Isle Cleanup will take place Saturday, May 16, 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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May 16: Friends of the Rouge PARC Rain Garden Spruce-Up

The May Picnic in the PARC: PARC Rain Garden Spruce-Up will be held from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex in Plymouth. Volunteers of all ages can help maintain the rain gardens by removing weeds, planting native species, and supporting pollinators. Following the restoration will be a potluck picnic with games, music, and community time.

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May 23: Clinton River Watershed Cleanup

The Clinton Cleanup: Rochester Municipal Park will be held Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 9 – 10 a.m. at Rochester Municipal Park in Rochester. As part of the annual Clinton Cleanup, volunteers of all ages can help collect trash along the park and Paint Creek Trail, with gloves, bags, refreshments, and snacks provided.

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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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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.