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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** *
Feb. 4, 2026 
Jeff Johnston, EGLE Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-231-9304 
Tamara Lipsey, Aquatic Biologist, [email protected], 517-342-4372

MiCorps Volunteer Stream Cleanup and Monitoring grants available

 

The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps [ [link removed] ]), a volunteer monitoring program network that collects and shares surface water quality data throughout the state, is accepting 2026 funding proposals for two grant programs. 

*Volunteer Stream Cleanup Program*: A total of $25,000 (in increments of $500-$5,000) is available for grants to support local units of government in cleaning up garbage from Michigan’s rivers, streams, and creeks. This program is funded by fees from the sale of Michigan’s specialty water quality protection license plates, available from the Michigan Secretary of State [ [link removed] ]. 

*Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program*: A total of $75,000 is available across three grant types for volunteer benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring and habitat assessment in wadeable streams and rivers. Benthic invertebrates are small, bottom-dwelling aquatic animals such as larval insects, snails, worms, and beetles. Local units of government, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply for the following:


* *Startup grants* for organizations that seek to learn MiCorps monitoring protocols and set themselves up to submit successful implementation grant proposals in future years. A maximum of $5,000 per grant award is available for one-year projects. 

* *Implementation grants* supporting volunteer training and macroinvertebrate data collection to assess water quality in support of state and local efforts to protect and manage water resources. Grants may fund a monitoring coordinator and/or buy water quality monitoring supplies. A maximum of $20,000 per grant award is available for two-year projects. 

* *Maintenance grants* for groups already monitoring with MiCorps procedures. A maximum of $3,000 is available to pay for staff time, equipment, and travel to MiCorps trainings and conferences. 

The request for proposals for each grant opportunity can be found at the MiCorps Stream Monitoring and Cleanup Grants [ [link removed] ] webpage. All grants except startup grants require a 25% local match commitment. 

Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 27, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.* *Direct questions about the application process to Dr. Paul Steen, Huron River Watershed Council, at 734-519-0449 or [email protected]; or Tamara Lipsey, Water Resources Division, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), at 517-342-4372 or [email protected]. 

MiCorps is sponsored by EGLE and is administered in partnership with Michigan State University Extension, the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, and the Huron River Watershed Council.  

To stay up to date on other EGLE news, follow us at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment [ [link removed] ].

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy · Deborah A. Stabenow Building · 525 West Allegan Street · PO Box 30473 · Lansing, MI 48909 · 800-662-9278
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