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Grand River Expedition: July 14-26, 2010

A group of organizations and individuals is planning the Grand River Expedition for July 14-26, 2010.  Planners are drawing on experience from both the Grand River Expeditions 1990 and 2000.  This journey of discovery will explore and document the problems and opportunities of  Michigan's Grand River and its watershed.  We'll contribute to the appreciation and awareness of the Grand and how it connects our communities across the state.  And we'll have a Grand time doing it!

We need your help!  If you can help with planning, please contact Chair Doug Carter for more information at 517-627-7690 or RiverMaster Charlie Parmalee at 517-589-5237 or Rita Jack at 517-484-2372.

You'll find the latest updates and meeting information on this website, so check back often.  The countdown is on -- with only ten months to go, we need a lot of help to pull this together!  Here is our Task List and our Standing Committees list, both still have openings that you can fill.  See the links at right for more information, and let us know if you have questions!

For a PDF copy of the Grand River Watershed map at right, click here.  Note this file is 3MB, it may download slowly.

The next general meeting is 6:30pm on Monday November 16 at Impression 5 Science Museum in Lansing.  (click for map to location).  Contact Doug Carter for more information at 517-627-7690, or Charlie Parmalee, or Rita Jack at 517-484-2372.    

Planning is also underway in each region

Volunteers in the Upper Grand River will meet next on Wed. November 18 at the (see map) Blackman Township Hall.    Paul Rentschler is working with several others to coordinate the first 7 miles of the Expedition.  You can download their  first meeting information packet, and the July 15 meeting notes, and the August 19 meeting notes.  See their website at http://www.uppergrandriver.org.   

The Middle Grand regional planning group will meet next at 6:30pm on Tuesday December 8 at Woldumar Nature Center in Lansing (see  (map)).   Contact Doug Carter and Pat Conley  who are working with several partners to coordinate the middle stretch of the Grand.  You are invited to join us and help!

The next Lower Grand River regional meeting will be held in Grand Rapids on Wednesday September 23 from 3:30pm to 5:00pm.  Contact Andy Bowman at 616-776-7611 for more details.

The Grand River is Michigan's longest river.  Its basin is 5,570 square miles, has 18 counties and 158 townships.  Grand River Expedition 2010 includes a multi-disciplined team of scientists, technicians, historians, educators, students, environmental professionals, boaters and anglers, civic and business leaders, local, state and federal government representatives, writers, visual media specialists and private individuals from the general public.

The water team will paddle canoes and kayaks to conduct studies and specific tasks while on the Grand River.  In addition, the expedition will offer presentations, displays and demonstrations to communities along the river in an attempt to interact with the Grand River and its people throughout the watershed.

Please plan to join us on the Grand River Expedition July 14-26, 2010!

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