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Grand River Expedition: July 14-26, 2010

Join the Grand River Expedition for July 14-26, 2010.   

Drawing on experience from Expeditions in 1990 and 2000, paddlers in canoes and kayaks will explore and document today's conditions in 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.  Many exciting events and activities are in the works - the trip promises to be a Grand time for all, from her headwaters to Lake Michigan!

We'd like you to join us!  

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.

Keep informed!  

Click here to take our GRE-2010 Paddler / Helper Survey if you want us to keep you informed as we get closer to our launch date, or if you want to help in any way.  Many hands lighten the load, plus you'll make new friends, and have a Grand adventure!

You'll find the latest updates and meeting information on this website, so check back often.  The countdown is on -- with fewer than 6 months to go, there's a lot to do to pull this together!  See the links at right for more information, and let us know if you have questions.

The next general meeting is 6:30pm on February 15 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.   (The schedule of regional meetings is at right in the green side bar.)

Planning is also underway in each region

• Paddlers and volunteers in the Upper Grand River may contact Paul Rentschler who is coordinating the first 7 miles of the Expedition.  Upper Grand downloads:  first meeting information packet, meeting notes from:  July 15, 2009,   August 19, 2009,  October 21, 2009, and  November 18, 2009.  See more on their website at http://www.uppergrandriver.org.  

• If you're in the Middle Grand River region, contact Pat Harrington by email or cell phone 1-517-202-0812 to help coordinate events for the middle stretch of the Grand.  You are invited to join us and help!

• If you live downstream in the Lower Grand River region, contact Andy Bowman at 616-776-7611 to join in there!  

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!

Photo at right by Rita Jack:  From the east bank of the Grand River looking north toward the North Dam and the Brenke Fish Ladder in Lansing's historic Old Town.

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