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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2024
Jeff Johnston, EGLE Public Information Officer, JohnstonJ14@Michigan.gov, 517-231-9304
Tamara Lipsey, Aquatic Biologist, LipseyT@Michigan.gov, 517-342-4372
Enroll, train for Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program
EGLE, MiCorps announce in-person, online opportunities for volunteer water quality data collectors
The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), a network of volunteer monitoring programs that collect and share surface water quality data statewide, is accepting enrollments for the 2024 Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) season. Trainings in 2024 will be offered in person in Muskegon, Crystal Falls, and online.
CLMP volunteers monitor water quality, invasive species, and habitat conditions in Michigan lakes. Volunteers receive detailed instructions, training, and equipment, and the data they collect are added to the MiCorps Data Exchange, a public database that includes CLMP lake information dating back to 1974.
Interested volunteers are encouraged to enroll early, as some program options have early spring enrollment deadlines. Other options allow enrollment into May and into the summer. Details can be found on the CLMP Enrollment webpage.
MiCorps is happy to announce three opportunities for CLMP volunteers to attend our official training program in 2024:
- In-person in Muskegon on April 26-27.
- In-person in Crystal Falls on May 18.
- Online on April 30.
There is no cost to attend these training events. Training is required for new volunteers, and experienced volunteers are encouraged to attend. Anyone interested in learning more about the CLMP is invited to participate regardless of their intent to enroll a lake and conduct monitoring this year. Registration for each training is required.
Questions about the CLMP should be directed to Erick Elgin, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, at 218-340-5731 or ElginEri@MSU.edu; or Tamara Lipsey, Water Resources Division, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), at 517-342-4372 or LipseyT@Michigan.gov.
MiCorps was established by EGLE to engage the public in collecting water quality data for use in water resources management and protection programs. MiCorps is sponsored by EGLE and is administered in partnership with MSU Extension, the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, and the Huron River Watershed Council.
To stay up to date on other EGLE news, follow us at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.
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