Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters Program awards $31,000 to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species

Paige Filice<filicepa@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

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

For decorative purposes.
Members of the public attending a clean, drain, dry educational event. It was hosted by the Blue Lake Association, a 2022 recipient of a Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant. Photo Credit: Blue Lake Association

In 2023 the Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters program is funding thirteen aquatic invasive species education projects across the state. The awardees include lake associations, townships, Conservation Districts, and other nonprofit organizations. Grant funds will be used for invasive species prevention materials including decontamination equipment, educational signage, and handouts for boaters and anglers as well as in-person educational events.

2023 Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant projects

  • The Alger Conservation District, in partnership with the Lake to Lake Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area and Burt and Au Train Townships, will be installing interpretive signs at public boat and kayak launches on the Au Train River and at the Burt Township Marina. In addition, a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station sign will be installed at the marina for residents and visitors. The Conservation District and partners are also hosting outreach events to educate the public about relevant invasive species and will be conducting boat and kayak decontamination demonstrations.
  • The Charter Township of Long Lake in Grand Traverse County will be working in collaboration with the Long Lake Foundation, Long Lake Association, and Benzie Conservation District Aquatic Invasive Species Pathways Program to host five community outreach events about aquatic invasive species and to promote boat washing best practices. In addition, grant funds will be used to install four Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station signs at public launch sites on three inland lakes and at one public boat wash facility.
  • The Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association, located at the tripoint of Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska Counties, will be installing three Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station signs and distributing education materials around Elk and Skegemog Lakes. The lake association will also be hosting at least three invasive species education events and partnering with the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council to host boat washing demonstrations.
  • The Green Lake and Duck Lake Association in Grand Traverse County will be installing seven Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Stations at boat launches on Green and Duck Lake including at the Interlochen State Park North and South Campgrounds. In addition, the Association will coordinate educational events alongside the Clean Boats, Clean Waters Mobile Boat Wash and host educational booths at the local farmer’s market.
  • The Headwaters Land Conservancy will be posting invasive species information and hosting awareness events at conservancy locations over the summer. Attendees will learn how to identify and properly disinfect waders, angling equipment, and boats for invasive species.
  • The Houghton Lake Improvement Board in Roscommon County will be installing three Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Stations at Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) managed boat launches on Houghton Lake. In addition to the signs, the Houghton Lake Improvement Board will distribute educational materials to local bait and tackle shops and host educational events during peak weekends and fishing tournaments to remind visitors of invasive species prevention practices.
  • The Kalkaska Conservation District will partner with Coldsprings Township and Manistee Lake Association to install a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station sign and display educational messaging near the boat launch at Manistee Lake Sands Park. In addition, the Conservation District will sponsor paid advertising about clean boating practices in local media and host outreach events during busy weekends.
  • The Klinger Lake Association, in partnership with the St. Joseph Conservation District and the Southern Michigan Invasive Species Team, will be promoting invasive species prevention practices to boaters and anglers throughout St. Joseph county at various boat launch locations.
  • The Lakeville Lake Property Owners Association in Oakland County will be installing a CD3 Roadside boat cleaning station at the Lakeville Lake DNR boat launch and will be hosting three educational events showcasing the cleaning station during busy holiday weekends. In addition, they will also be sharing information with Lakeville Lake property owners and providing resources on the importance of cleaning watercraft.
  • The Manistee Conservation District will be expanding their aquatic invasive species outreach programs, youth workshops, interactive displays, and partnerships across Manistee County. Throughout the summer they will be hosting classroom workshops and educational booths at public events and distributing educational materials.
  • The Otsego Conservation District will be installing a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station at the Otsego Lake State Park boat launch and hosting education booths about invasive species at popular community events. They are also educating the boating and angling community through local media.
  • The Sherman Lake Association in Kalamazoo County will be installing a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station at the Sherman Lake DNR boat launch and will be hosting three events on Sherman Lake focused on invasive species prevention.
  • The Sugarloaf Lake Special Assessment District in Washtenaw County will be installing a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Decontamination Station at the DNR Sugarloaf Lake Campground boat launch as well as posting other “Stop Aquatic Hitchhiker” information in the park. Volunteers will be hosting three invasive species educational events at the campground to interact with boaters and angers.

Interested in a Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant?

Funding for the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program was provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. We anticipate having funds to support local aquatic invasive species outreach projects in the future. 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 if funding is available in the future.

Since 2006, Clean Boats, Clean Waters has educated and engaged recreational watercraft 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 can be 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 third 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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