On the Ground: Another Successful Manistee River Cleanup

Katelyn Helsel • July 15, 2025

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, MUCC hosted another successful Manistee River Cleanup at High Bridge Boat Launch in partnership with Steelhead Manifesto, USDA Forest Service, and the Michigan DNR. This annual event has taken place for the last 11 years, with MUCC having been involved from the very beginning. This is also one of our highest attended events with around 60 volunteers each year committed to cleaning up the river for all to enjoy. 



Volunteers Took to the Water

Despite recent weather reports calling for rain, 43 dedicated volunteers showed up the morning of the event ready to clean up the river. Once everyone signed in and grabbed their gear, they headed out on boats to travel the length of the river, picking up trash as they went. Volunteers navigated from the boat launch up to Tippy Dam, then back downriver toward Rainbow Bend spanning a total of 15 river miles. At the end of the day, around 180 lbs of trash were collected and disposed of by the USDA Forest Service. Items collected included old cans, fishing line, and an old anchor. Volunteers enjoyed pizza and a prize raffle organized by Steelhead Manifesto at the end of the workday. 

Why is it Important?

Cleaning up the environment is vital to the continued ability to support recreational activities in an area and continue to bring economic assistance for conservation efforts. The Manistee River is heavily used by tubers and kayakers during their summer vacation, and these clean ups help to ensure the river can be safe for vacationers to travel downstream without getting caught up. Additionally, the Manistee is a large attraction for anglers and large pieces of trash left behind can create snags, costing the fishermen their lures. Overall, river cleanups are good to maintain for the equal use of the water by all recreationists, they can be one of the best and easiest ways to give back to the land you use. 



Learn More

Want to help improve fish and wildlife habitat in your area? Visit our website at mucc.org/on-the-ground for a list of upcoming projects. Our mission is to conserve and enhance Michigan’s public lands and wildlife through volunteer stewardship. We invite both consumptive and non-consumptive users to band together and improve fish and wildlife habitat across the state. Common habitat projects we complete include native plantings, invasive species removal, brush pile building, river cleanups, and more. Our projects are built for all ages, so bring your friends and family and come join us! Registered volunteers receive lunch and a free appreciation gift for their efforts. Registration links with more event details can be found on our website. 


To stay connected with all things MUCC, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. 

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