Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters program awards $26,000 to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species

Paige Filice, Michigan State University Extension -

Twelve projects receive grant funding to educate boaters on the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying equipment to protect lakes and rivers.

Boat and trailer cleaning station directional sign posted at Black Lake with tools.
Many award recipients are installing Clean Boats, Clean Waters Boat Decontamination Stations as part of their project. (photo credit: L. Sandvik)

The Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters program is funding twelve aquatic invasive species education projects across the state this summer. The awardees include lake associations, paddling groups, Conservation Districts, and other nonprofit organizations. Grant funds will be used for invasive species decontamination equipment, educational signage for popular boat landings, and other aquatic invasive species prevention materials, as well as providing in-person outreach events at boating access sites throughout Michigan. 

2022 Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant projects

  • The Clifford Lake Improvement Association will be hosting an educational program, two boat tours, and a boat cleaning event for Clifford Lake community members in Montcalm County. The events will focus on relevant invasive species issues facing the community. They will also be installing an invasive species sign at their local boat launch.
  • The Donnell Lake Conservation Club in Cass County will host educational booths at popular community events and tournaments within their community throughout the summer. They will also be installing a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Boat Decontamination Station sign at their local boat launch.
  • East Jordan High School students will be installing an invasive species sign for their local boat launch on Lake Charlevoix. In addition, they will host three community events with educational presentations and interactive games for youth and the public focused on invasive species.
  • The Friends of The Rouge based in southeast Michigan will add Clean Boats, Clean Waters aquatic invasive species prevention information to their popular Paddlers’ Companion booklet and will share invasive species information at numerous events throughout the summer including their group paddles and volunteer workdays. In addition, they are installing six multilingual aluminum invasive species decontamination signs at highly trafficked launch points along the Lower Rouge River water trail.
  • The Gladwin Blue Lakes Estates Association in Gladwin County will be installing a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station sign at the South Blue Lake boat launch and will share invasive species prevention materials at popular events hosted throughout the summer.
  • The Greilick Outdoor Recreation and Education Center based in Grand Traverse County will be installing four Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station signs with tools at boat launches on Bass Lake, Spider Lake, and Rennie Lake. They will be using the decontamination equipment and sharing invasive species prevention information during their outdoor technical skills and environmental stewardship courses.
  • The Ingham County Parks Department is installing a CD3 user-operated, waterless cleaning roadside station equipped with a weed removal tool, plug wrench, and interpretive signage at the Lake Lansing Park South. The parks department will be promoting the cleaning station and invasive species prevention at three events throughout the summer.
  • Leelanau Clean Water is partnering with stewardship organizations and Northwestern Michigan College to install Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station signs and educational handout dispensers at six public boat launches in Leelanau County. They will host education events at each location during Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Week alongside students from Northwestern Michigan College.
  • The Marquette County Resource Management Department will be installing Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station signs at the Big Bay Harbor of Refuge on Lake Superior and at the Perkins Park and Campground boat launch and fishing pier on Lake Independence. They will host boat cleaning demonstrations on popular days throughout the summer and will distribute educational materials at their park facilities and campground.   
  • The Muskegon Conservation District will be installing Clean Boats, Clean Waters Boat Decontamination Station signs at six boat launches on White Lake in Muskegon County. In addition, they are hosting three invasive species education booths at popular community events.
  • The Portage, Base, and Whitewood Owners Association is sponsoring boater safety classes in partnership with the Washtenaw and Livingston County Marine Divisions and will be integrating invasive species prevention into the training program. They are also installing a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Boat Decontamination Station at the DNR Portage Lake Boat Launch and will be hosting an invasive species education event showcasing the new sign.
  • The Shiawassee River Water Trail Coalition and Friends of the Shiawassee River are adding invasive species prevention information at 17 launch sites along the Shiawassee River via QR coded stickers. They are also planning educational paddles on the Shiawassee River Water Trail and will be handing out invasive species information at various events throughout the summer.

Interested in a Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant?

Funding for the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program is provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). We anticipate having funds to support local aquatic invasive species outreach projects in 2023. If you would like to be notified of future grant opportunities, sign-up on the Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant website to receive an email when the grant application process is open in the fall.

Since 2006, Clean Boats, Clean Waters has educated and engaged recreational water users in behaviors that will limit or prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Aquatic invasive species are frequently spread unintentionally on boats and trailers, and once introduced, they are extremely difficult and expensive to manage. Boater education and engagement is one tool of many used in Michigan to address invasive species issues. This is the second year funds have been available through the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program to support local organizations.

The Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters program is a joint educational effort between Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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