Stream monitoring involves collecting larval aquatic insects, or macroinvertebrates, to track the health of rivers and streams.

Stream monitoring programs across Michigan welcome community members to volunteer as citizen scientists to collect macroinvertebrates and calculate a water quality score for area rivers and streams.  Aquatic insects spend a large portion of their lives in streams and serve as an indicator species for water quality. 

Events

June 28, 2025

2025 MiCorps Aquatic Invasive Species Detection Blitz

The MiCorps Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Detection Blitz is a statewide community science event aimed at identifying and documenting aquatic invasive species, such as zebra...

July 10, 2025

Biology and Management of Starry Stonewort

Join Itasca Waters and Minnesota Sea Grant in learning about starry stonewort, an aquatic invasive species, as part of the Itasca Water Wisdom online webinar series, co-sponsored by...

Featured Partner

Partner Logo

Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps)

The mission of MiCorps is to network and expand volunteer water quality monitoring organizations statewide for the purpose of collecting, sharing and using reliable data; educate and inform the public about water quality issues; and foster water resources stewardship to facilitate the preservation and protection of Michigan’s water resources.

Featured Producer

Producer Logo

Michigan Merinos and Happy Goat Lucky Ewe Fiber Farm

Established in 1987, as a hobby farm, supplies the wool for many of the products sold by Michigan Merinos. We are MAEAP-certified, and committed to creating our fine Merino wool using environmentally safe and climate-conscious practices.

News

Groundwater Extraction Causes US Cities to Sink

A new study published in Nature Cities reveals that all 28 of the most populous U.S. cities are experiencing land subsidence, with many undergoing uneven vertical land movements that may […]

BeBot the Beach Cleaning Robot Tackles Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes is a growing environmental and public health concern, with most shoreline litter made up of plastic. While volunteers play a major role in cleaning […]

Toolkit

In Your Home

The decisions we make in our homes can affect our water resources.  Learn tips to minimize your impact on Michigan’s waterways by making small changes in the appliances you use, how you store and dispose of chemicals, how you do your laundry, and more!

In Your Yard

Yard care is a huge responsibility, especially when you consider how your choices impact local waterways.  By selecting greener options for landscaping, maintenance of your septic system, application of lawn chemicals, and other yardwork, you can better protect your water resources.

In Your Community

Enjoying Michigan’s wide variety of recreational opportunities in the outdoors brings added responsibilities to protect our natural resources.  Learn how to minimize plastic pollution in our waterways, prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, and other tips to keep our shared outdoor spaces healthy and clean!

Resources

Resource Icon

Lesson Plans

Check out these free lesson plans on water conservation and other science topics organized by grade level.

Resource Icon

Videos

Browse environmental videos on a variety of topics like agriculture, the Great Lakes, the water cycle, wildlife, and more!

Resource Icon

Reading Material

Here you’ll find free books, magazines, and online library collections to read up on your favorite conservation topics.

Michigan Water Stewardship Program logo
We’re all connected by water.