Events
Rain Barrel Workshop
Rain Barrel Workshop
Rain barrels help manage stormwater, conserve water, and reduce pollution in our lakes and streams. Take action to protect West Michigan’s water with a fun and practical hands-on workshop and bring home your own rain barrel!
Cost: $50
What’s Included:
• A 55-gallon upcycled rain barrel
• All the components you need
• Expert guidance on setup, use, and maintenance
Workshop participants MUST register and pay in advance of the workshop so that the correct number of barrels will be available on site.
NOTE: This link does not yet show the workshop as of July 1, but will soon. In the meantime you can RSVP on the Facebook event for updates here,
A minimum of 10 barrels must be reserved before August 18 or the class will be canceled; maximum 2 barrels per household and participants are responsible for transporting barrels from the Hastings Public Library.
You will need to buy or build a separate base (like cement blocks) for your barrel to sit on and be off of the ground. This allows for better water flow. Rain barrels have the best catchment of rainwater on homes with gutters and downspouts but could be used in other areas that drip excessive rain water.
Let’s work together to care for our water — one barrel at a time!
Spots are limited. Registration is required to receive a rain barrel.
Presented by WMEAC, Thornapple River Watershed Council, Barry Conservation District, and Hastings Public Library
Annual Thornapple River Cleanup
Join us for the annual Thornapple River Cleanup!
Locations in Ada, Caledonia, Middleville, and Hastings!
Fall MiCorps Sampling
The Barry Conservation District, in partnership with the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW), received a Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) Volunteer Stream Monitoring Implementation Grant for water quality monitoring in the Thornapple River Watershed.
This monitoring grant provides us with the training and equipment to preform macroinvertebrate sampling throughout the watershed to monitor water quality conditions by collecting macroinvertebrates. Macro - big enough to be seen by the naked eye | Invertebrate - animal without a backbone
Macroinvertebrate sampling is an easy and fun way to determine water quality. Some macroinvertebrates are very sensitive and can only survive in high quality waters, others can live with high amounts of pollution present. This is a great way to get a long-term view on current water quality.
Want to know more? Watch this interview!
BCD MiCorps Monitoring Sites
Kayak & Connect with your Watershed
Kayak and Connect Activities – 10am Departure
Open to anyone and everyone. Take a peaceful morning paddle in a beautiful stretch of river from Middleville Dam down to 108th Street Indian Valley Campground. It is approximately a three hour trip. Free parking down by the river at Indian Valley for those of you bringing your canoe or kayak. Please check in at the office for a parking pass.
Meet at the public launch below the dam. Turn northwest off of E Main St. onto Railroad St to River St.
If you want to rent a kayak call Indian Valley Livery. They handle everything. You will have to arrive there at 9:30 am.
616-891-8579
1pm - 3pm TRWC Meet and Greet
Learn about the watershed, areas of concern, creative environmental projects underway and how to get involved and participate with the Thornapple River Watershed Council. Educational information and knowledgeable individuals will be on site. Our watershed is so large it "takes a village" to take care of it and protect it. Come share your concerns and discuss interests with others who feel the same!
Hope to see you there!
Rain Garden Workshop
Learn how to build a rain garden to prevent pollution in stormwater runoff, reduce erosion, and attract pollinators at this interactive workshop on June 11, 2025 at the Hastings Public Library!
MiCorps Macro Identification Workshop
Join us at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute as we identify, and count macroinvertebrates collected through the MiCorps volunteer stream monitoring program.
Matt Bain, Aquatic Specialist & Education Coordinator from LGROW will guide us through proper identification of macroinvertebrates and related water quality ratings.
Please register before May 5th
MiCorps Spring Macroinvertebrate Sampling
The Barry Conservation District, in partnership with the Thornapple River Watershed Council (TRWC) and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds - LGROW, received a MiCorps: Michigan Clean Water Corps Volunteer Stream Monitoring Implementation Grant for water quality monitoring in the Thornapple River Watershed.
Macroinvertebrate sampling is an easy and fun way to determine water quality. Some macroinvertebrates are very sensitive and can only survive in high quality waters, others can live with high amounts of pollution present. This is a great way to get a long-term view on current water quality.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the health and quality of the Thornapple River! As a volunteer, you'll be at the forefront of data collection and analysis, helping us maintain the determine future projects and monitoring efforts.