Through the Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund (IMESF), the Community Foundation recently announced grant awards of $60,000 to six organizations in support of their conservation projects that will benefit the Muskegon River watershed. These grants will fund projects that include resource restoration, public engagement and education, household hazardous waste disposal, and water infrastructure planning. This is IMESF’s 22nd year providing financial support to organizations to improve the Muskegon River watershed.
“The Ice Mountain® Environmental Stewardship Fund continues to be transformative because of its focused support for Muskegon River watershed conservation, protection, and preservation projects,” said Shelly Kasprzycki, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We’re proud to help ensure everyone can access the benefits of a healthy Muskegon River watershed.”
Grant recipients include the City of Big Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Land Conservancy of West Michigan, Mecosta Conservation District, and Muskegon River Watershed Assembly.
“The Muskegon River and its watershed are vital natural resources and a central feature of communities across West Michigan,” said Arlene Vincent-Anderson, Ice Mountain® Senior Natural Resources Manager. “The Ice Mountain® brand’s commitment to the fund for more than 22 years is rooted in the idea that by working together, we can have an enduring positive impact on the watershed, its communities, wildlife, recreation and economy. While we have more work to do, we are incredibly grateful to the organizations for their dedication to the watershed’s health.”
IMESF funded projects this year include:
- The City of Big Rapids will complete a culvert feasibility study to identify options to improve fish passage along Mitchell Creek.
- Grand Rapids Public Museum will expand a Digital Story Mapping project to the Muskegon River to spotlight the Maple River (Muskegon River tributary). The project will provide a way for community members to access maps, images, and oral narratives from Native and settlers perspectives to reconnect and cocreate a vision of what the Maple River might become with the ongoing restoration initiatives.
- Land Conservancy of West Michigan will advance tree planting and invasive species remediation along the Muskegon River. The forest management project will help restore oak savanna habitat within a 25-acre area of the Muskegon State Game Area.
- Mecosta Conservation District receives its 21st annual IMESF contribution to support its household hazardous waste collection events in Mecosta, Osceola, and Lake counties communities that rely on the District as the safe depository for hazardous household items.
- Muskegon Conservation District will execute a two-part project to enhance protection measures for two turtle species in the Muskegon River Watershed, both of which are listed as threatened in Michigan and are legally protected.
- Muskegon River Watershed Assembly will build on the “Friends of the Muskegon River” to strengthen a cohort of people throughout the watershed to be engaged and brought together behind place-based projects.
Grant applications for the Ice Mountain® Environmental Stewardship Fund are accepted online each year from June 1 until July 15. Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the health of the watershed are also invited to contribute to the fund at any time. More information on the fund, how to donate, and how to apply for a grant can be found at facommunityfoundation.org/icemountain.
