News	Clinton River Watershed Council 101 Main Street, Suite 100, Rochester MI 48307-2098 Phone 248-601-0606 Fax 248-601-1280 E-mail: contact@crwc.org Web: www.crwc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jenn Graessle

September 5, 2008 248-601-0606 jenn@crwc.org

Clinton River Watershed Council Trains Citizens to Monitor Local Water Quality

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI----- On Monday, September 15, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. the Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) will hold an Adopt-A-Stream training at the St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 11 mile rd. St. Clair Shores, Mi, 48081 (586)771-9020 to train new volunteers interested in monitoring local water quality. Over 100 volunteers already participate in the Adopt-A-Stream program throughout the Clinton River watershed. Interested new volunteers do not need prior experience with water quality monitoring. Adopt-A-Stream volunteers come from all walks of life, but are brought together by their concern for our local water quality, natural resources, and environment. New volunteers from all cities, villages, and townships are hoped to attend. For registration or questions, call (248) 601-0606 or email contact@crwc.org.

Anyone interested in volunteering should plan to attend a two part training series and spend 2- 3 hours, two days a year monitoring a stream/river. Part I is an introduction to the Clinton River Watershed, why it needs to be protected and how the individual can be involved in stewardship programs throughout their watershed. Part II is a “streamside" training where everyone will practice monitoring protocols “first-hand”. Part II field training will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2008 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at the Cottrell Drain at Cottrell St. and Union Lake Rd between Jefferson and Harper Ave.

Twice a year (May and October), volunteer teams visit their adopted sites and collect data, including physical, and biological information about the health of our waterways. The data collected by these volunteers will allow CRWC to develop a long-term record of aquatic organisms, habitat quality and stream conditions that can be used by local municipalities in developing and implementing programs to protect water quality.

The Clinton River watershed covers 760 square miles through four counties (Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, and St. Clair). From its headwaters in Springfield Township, the Clinton River travels 80 miles and eventually empties into Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township. Over 1.4 million people live in the watershed’s 60 communities. The CRWC is a non-profit environmental organization that protects, enhances, and celebrates the Clinton River, its watershed, and Lake St. Clair.