On the Ground: Volunteers remove hundreds of pounds of trash from the Clinton River Watershed

Kristina Kennedy • April 20, 2023

Volunteers cleaned-up trash from in and around Dawsons Millpond in Pontiac.

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, 28 volunteers gathered at Beaudette Park in Pontiac, Michigan to take part in the Clinton River Watershed Clean-Up hosted by MUCC’s On the Ground (OTG) program and the Metro-West Steelheaders.

Once the clean-up started, volunteers broke off into smaller groups to remove trash from around the park including the forested shoreline of Dawsons Millpond which is part of the Clinton River Watershed. We lucked out with an 80-degree spring day so some volunteers waded into the water to remove trash including plastic bottles, treated lumber, and tangled fishing line.

Photo courtesy of Michigan Trash Divers

We were even joined by Michigan Trash Divers, a group dedicated to removing trash from Michigan’s waterways! They were able to collect tires, waterlogged couch cushions and a huge load of other trash from the bottom of the millpond which eventually flows into the Clinton River and then to Lake St. Clair.

This area is also known for great birding opportunities. During spring migration, many species of warblers and other migrating songbirds can be spotted in the park. The year-round open water at Dawsons Millpond also attracts many overwintering waterfowl. By removing trash from in and around the waterway, volunteers improved fish and wildlife habitat while also making the park a safer place for recreationists.

In total, volunteers removed 50 bags of trash from the Watershed, improving 33 acres of terrestrial and aquatic habitat.

For a list of upcoming On the Ground volunteer opportunities, please visit mucc.org/on-the-ground/. Our next river clean-up event will take place on July 15 on the Manistee River. Stay tuned for more details!

Recent Posts

Species Spotlight: The Kirtland's Warbler

By Katelyn Helsel • April 30, 2025
As spring gets fully underway and the warmer weather hits, many birds are in the process of migrating back to Michigan. One migratory species you might see (if you live in northern Michigan) is the rare Kirtland’s warbler. This bird has a long and detailed conservation story, coming back from the brink of extinction with the help of strong conservation efforts. 

The Legacy of Michigan Logging

By Olivia Triltsch • April 24, 2025
Historically, Michigan experienced a lumber era in which the state was a leading producer for 50 years starting in 1860.

MUCC celebrates a successful Clinton River Cleanup

By Katelyn Helsel • April 23, 2025
Rochester Hills, MI — On the Ground, MUCC’s volunteer stewardship program, celebrated its 250th habitat improvement project in Oakland County this past weekend. In partnership with Metro-West Steelheaders and the Clinton River Watershed Council , 62 volunteers removed more than 460 pounds of trash from the Clinton River watershed and surrounding areas, restoring more than 80 acres of fish and wildlife habitat. Volunteers focused on picking up trash and other debris in the river near Yates Park and along various walking trails near the Yates Cider Mill. Many different items were collected, including a couple of tires, fishing line, old cans, a sign, and even a car bumper. “We definitely wanted to clean up as much trash as possible because that's going to help the watershed as a whole, and it’s going to clean up the river for both humans aesthetically, and also the animals that live in it, and create safer drinking water” said Olivia Triltsch, MUCC’s Habitat Program and Partnerships Coordinator.
More Posts