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Big news for Michigan’s waterways: a $10 million investment is set to keep the Detroit River’s remarkable comeback on track.

Announced by state and federal partners, this funding marks another milestone in restoring one of the region’s most important natural assets—both ecologically and economically. And the progress is already visible.

From Pollution to Progress

Once heavily polluted from decades of industrial activity and runoff, the Detroit River has been steadily rebounding since its designation as an “Area of Concern” in 1987. [State and...estoration]

Today, riverfront areas that were once degraded now feature parks, wildlife habitats, and revitalized shorelines. This latest funding aims to tackle one of the final challenges: contaminated sediment cleanup—a crucial step toward full restoration.

Where the Money Goes

The investment combines $6.5 million from the EPA with $3.5 million from Michigan’s state funds, supporting projects that will:

Remove toxic sediment from the riverbed

Restore natural habitats

Improve water quality

Expand safe public access to the river

In short, it’s about making the river cleaner, healthier, and more accessible for everyone—from anglers and boaters to local communities.

Strong Partnerships Driving Change

This effort isn’t happening in isolation. It’s powered by collaboration between agencies and organizations at all levels—federal, state, and local.

That teamwork has already transformed parts of the riverfront, and this new funding ensures that momentum continues.

Why It Matters

The Detroit River isn’t just a waterway—it’s a lifeline. It supports wildlife, recreation, commerce, and the quality of life for communities all along its banks.

With this latest investment, the vision is clear: A river that’s not only restored, but thriving—for generations to come.

Michigan’s Great Lakes are more than just a scenic backdrop—they are the lifeblood of our state’s ecosystems, communities, and economy. Recognizing the critical role education plays in protecting these treasured waters, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has launched an inspiring new opportunity for educators: the Great Lakes Green Schools Fellowship.

Announced in April 2026 through EGLE Classroom, this brand‑new fellowship is designed to give Michigan teachers the tools, knowledge, and support they need to bring Great Lakes learning to life in K–12 classrooms across the state.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, the Great Lakes Green Schools Fellowship will support a cohort of 30 Michigan K–12 educators in a year‑long professional learning experience. Funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the program is rooted in both science and action—helping teachers translate Great Lakes knowledge into meaningful, real‑world learning for students.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Great Lakes Green Schools Fellowship is its focus on youth‑led action. By providing direct funding for student projects, the program ensures that learning leads to tangible change—whether that’s restoring native habitat, educating peers about watersheds, or reducing a school’s environmental footprint.

This approach reflects a growing understanding that environmental education is most effective when students are empowered to act. Through the fellowship, EGLE is helping teachers turn curiosity into stewardship and lessons into lasting impact.

This fellowship launch comes at a time of strong momentum for environmental education in Michigan. Participation in the Michigan Green Schools program has more than doubled under EGLE leadership, signaling growing interest from schools statewide in sustainability and environmental responsibility. The Great Lakes Green Schools Fellowship builds on that success by investing directly in educators—the leaders who shape how students understand and care for the world around them.

Educators interested in applying should mark their calendars:

Applications available: May 1, 2026

Application deadline: May 30, 2026

Fellows notified: By June 15, 2026

Applications will be posted on both the EGLE Classroom and Michigan Green Schools webpages, and interested teachers can sign up to be notified when materials become available.

How Michigan’s Scrap Tire Program Is Cleaning Up Communities—By the Numbers

Few things clutter Michigan’s landscape quite like abandoned tires. They’re more than just an eyesore: scrap tires don’t biodegrade, collect standing water that breeds mosquitoes, and pose serious fire risks when piled up. The good news? Michigan is tackling this challenge head‑on—and the results are adding up fast.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) recently released its latest update on the Scrap Tire Program, and the numbers show real progress across the state.

A Big Cleanup with Measurable Results

During fiscal year 2025, which ended September 30, EGLE dedicated $3.5 million from the Scrap Tire Regulatory Fund to clean up legacy tire piles and strengthen recycling markets statewide.

Out of 125 cleanup grant applications, EGLE approved 64 new projects plus one amended grant, providing about $1.1 million to remove an estimated 368,333 tires from Michigan’s environment. As of early March 2026, more than 285,000 tires have already been cleaned up, with $822,500 spent toward that effort.

These projects are making a visible difference in communities where tire piles have lingered for years.

Innovation That Goes Beyond Cleanup

EGLE’s work doesn’t stop at removal. A major focus of the Scrap Tire Program is market development—finding productive, environmentally sound uses for old tires.

In 2025 alone, nearly $2.4 million supported innovative projects across the state, including:

Michigan Technological University received $1.16 million to lead research on rubber‑modified asphalt, partnering with the cities of Detroit and Ann Arbor, as well as the Kent County Road Commission and General Motors’ Proving Grounds. Additional research aims to convert mixed plastic and rubber waste into high‑performance manufacturing materials.

Environmental Rubber Recycling in Flint was awarded $459,500 to upgrade processing equipment and improve recycling efficiency.

Kalamazoo and St. Joseph County Road commissions received a combined $615,331 to apply rubber‑modified chip seal on nearly 20 miles of roadway, improving road durability while reusing waste tires.

These investments turn a disposal problem into durable roads, new materials, and local economic growth.

Why Scrap Tires Matter So Much in Michigan

Michigan generates more than 10 million scrap tires every year, making responsible management essential. Improper disposal can lead to:

Severe fire hazards, as tire fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish

Water contamination from polluted runoff

Public health risks, since tire piles create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes that can carry diseases like West Nile virus.

Because of these risks, it is illegal to dispose of whole tires in Michigan landfills, and EGLE’s Scrap Tire Program strictly regulates transportation, storage, and disposal under Part 169 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

From Waste to Resource

Despite the challenges, scrap tires offer real opportunities. In Michigan, they’re increasingly recycled into:

Rubber mulch

Tire‑derived fuel

Road construction materials

Aggregate for drainage systems

Components for new tires and plastic products.

This circular approach reduces waste, supports infrastructure projects, and keeps valuable materials in use instead of in illegal piles.

What Residents Can Do

Michigan residents play an important role in keeping tires out of the environment. EGLE encourages people to dispose of used tires only at approved collection sites or registered recyclers, which are listed on the agency’s Scrap Tire Program webpage. Many tire retailers also accept old tires, often for a small fee or included with the purchase of new tires.

The Bottom Line

Michigan’s Scrap Tire Program proves that environmental cleanup, innovation, and economic development can go hand in hand. With hundreds of thousands of tires removed, new recycling technologies emerging, and safer communities statewide, EGLE’s work is turning a long‑standing environmental headache into a success story—one tire at a time.

Source:

Releases First Ever MI Green School Guide

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has launched the MI Green School Guide, a new statewide resource designed to help schools develop or improve sustainability practices (Source: EGLE, “EGLE announces first MI Green School Guide,” March 4, 2026).

The guide includes:

A team-building tool

A school environmental assessment

A project catalog with cost-scale indicators

A funding resource hub

Action plan templates

A collection of green project guides and eligible grant opportunities

Developed with input from teachers, students, parents, and agency officials, the toolkit is designed to be flexible for schools of all sizes and budgets. EGLE’s school sustainability liaison, Charlotte Nana Mayworm, emphasized the importance of meeting each school “where they are” and providing realistic, affordable project options.

In 2026, EGLE aims to support 20–30 Michigan school communities in building long-term sustainability plans using this new resource. For a limited time, schools can request one-on-one technical assistance by emailing [email protected].

The MI Green School Guide marks an important step in empowering schools to reduce environmental impact, engage students in sustainability, and strengthen Michigan’s commitment to climate action.

Sources: EGLE Newsroom

Michigan EGLE Web Page – “EGLE announces first MI Green School Guide” (Accessed March 2026)

EGLE Department Resources, Environmental Education Program, MI Healthy Climate Updates

The holiday season is here, and for many of us, that means heading out to pick the perfect Christmas tree. The fresh scent of pine, the twinkling lights, and the ornaments all bring warmth and joy to our homes. But did you know your festive centerpiece could be hiding some unwelcome guests?

Every year, millions of Christmas trees are harvested and shipped across the country. While they spread holiday cheer, they can also carry invasive pests that pose serious threats to Michigan’s forests and ecosystems. Two culprits on the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s watch list are:

Balsam Woolly Adelgid: These tiny, sap-sucking insects look like little bits of snow clinging to branches. Covered in a cottony or waxy white substance, they can weaken and kill fir trees over time.

Spongy Moth: Their tan, fuzzy egg masses resemble sponges and can survive harsh Michigan winters. When they hatch in spring, the caterpillars feast on oaks, aspens, and other trees, causing widespread defoliation.

What can you do? Before bringing your tree indoors:

Inspect it carefully for signs of pests.

Look for fuzzy egg masses or cottony patches on branches.

If you suspect an infestation, report it to MDARD at [email protected] or through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.

Want to learn more? Check out EGLE’s webinar: Holiday Hitchhikers: Unpacking Pests in Christmas Trees.

When the crisp Michigan air signals the end of fall, many of us grab our rakes and start clearing leaves and garden debris. But before you bag up those leaves or toss them on the burn pile, here’s a surprising fact: you might be destroying a butterfly’s winter blanket!

The Hidden World Beneath the Leaves

Those crunchy leaves aren’t just clutter—they’re a cozy refuge for countless creatures. Monarch butterflies, mourning cloak butterflies, and other pollinators often overwinter in leaf litter or tucked into plant stems. These natural shelters protect them from freezing temperatures and predators until spring arrives.

When we burn or remove these materials, we unintentionally wipe out entire generations of beneficial insects. And it’s not just butterflies—native bees, moths, and even fireflies rely on these habitats too.

Why It Matters

Pollinators are the backbone of Michigan’s ecosystems and agriculture. They help fertilize plants, ensuring food production and biodiversity. But their populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change. Preserving their winter homes is one simple, powerful way we can help.

What You Can Do Instead

Leave the Leaves: Instead of burning or bagging, let leaves stay in garden beds or under trees. They’ll decompose naturally, enriching your soil.

Create a Pollinator Patch: Dedicate a corner of your yard to native plants and undisturbed leaf litter.

Skip the Burn: Burning releases carbon and destroys microhabitats. Compost or mulch instead.

Educate Your Neighbors: Share this tip! A community effort can make a big difference.

The Bigger Picture

This small act ties into a larger movement of sustainable landscaping and wildlife conservation. By rethinking yard cleanup, we’re not just saving butterflies—we’re supporting Michigan’s biodiversity and reducing waste.

So next time you see a pile of leaves, think of it as a blanket for nature’s tiniest heroes. Your yard could be the safe haven that helps pollinators thrive through winter.

Want to learn more? Check out Michigan EGLE’s environmental resources and join the conversation about protecting pollinators and native habitats.

In the heart of Southwest Michigan, a quiet crisis is unfolding along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Each year, residents watch helplessly as more of their beaches and backyards vanish—swallowed by the relentless force of erosion. What was once a slow creep has become a dramatic retreat, with some areas losing as much as 75 feet of shoreline in just four years.

A Landscape Under Siege

The average erosion rate in Southwest Michigan is over a foot per year, but recent years have seen accelerated losses. In places like Mount Pleasant and Miami Park, the signs are unmistakable: broken beach access stairs, steep drops, and inaccessible shores. The erosion is not just a natural occurrence—it’s a symptom of changing climate patterns, intensified rainfall, and rising lake levels.

John Yellich, retired head of the Michigan Geological Survey, spearheaded the first erosion research in the region in nearly a decade. His efforts brought together geologists and geography experts from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin to study the causes and consequences of this environmental threat.

Voices from the Frontline

Residents like Victoria Turbov and John Barkley have witnessed the devastation firsthand. Barkley, a former Navy pilot, described moments of panic as boardwalks and drainage systems collapsed into the lake. Turbov, who has summered in the area for over 70 years, emphasized the emotional and environmental value of the land: “This is very precious to us.”

Their community has responded with action. From reshaping bluffs and planting deep-rooted vegetation to installing water management systems and reinforcing beaches with rocks, locals are fighting to preserve their homes and heritage.

Climate Change: The Invisible Catalyst

Experts agree that climate change is exacerbating the erosion. Increased rainfall, droughts, and runoff are accelerating the degradation of coastlines. “These are dramatic changes, not slow,” Yellich noted. Yet, despite the urgency, local and national EPA offices are not currently addressing erosion directly.

A Call to Action

The erosion in Southwest Michigan is more than a local issue—it’s a warning. With an estimated $500 million in annual property loss due to coastal erosion across the U.S., the stakes are high. As Turbov put it, “We need to protect this place and other places and, you know, our environment in general.”

Doing nothing is no longer an option. The landscapes we cherish are disappearing, and the time to act is now.

$50,000 grant opportunity for K-12 programs in Michigan

A statewide initiative to teach elementary and high school students about the Great Lakes, Michigan watersheds and the impact people have on water resources launches today, including $50,000 in funding to integrate water literacy principles into school curricula and continuous improvement plans.

The From Students to Stewards Initiative is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Michigan Department of Education (MDE), and the MiSTEM Network (Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity) at Grand Valley State University. It is designed to improve water literacy in students from kindergarten through grade 12 and enhance school performance.

From Students to Stewards will emphasize using place-based approaches and real world experiences to engage students and prepare them for high-quality, water-focused STEM careers. To help schools accomplish these goals, EGLE’s Office of the Great Lakes, MDE, LEO's MiSTEM Network have curated a toolkit of resources, information, and real-world opportunities for students and educators. As part of the funding opportunity, awardees will be asked to field test the toolkit, provide feedback on their experiences, and suggest ways to improve its usefulness.

A total of $50,000 is available through a request for proposals to fund at least five proposals, with a maximum award of $10,000. The programs that are chosen will incorporate Great Lakes and water literacy principles into curricula and continuous improvement plans using a place-based approach. Funds are made available through the Michigan Great Lakes Protection Fund. Awardees will also have access to technical assistance from the Office of the Great Lakes, MDE, and LEO's MiSTEM Network.

Applicants must be part of a project team to qualify for funding. Teams must include one or more schools, local or intermediate school districts, or public school academies; at least one MiSTEM Network Region; and one or more community partners. Any member of a team can be the lead applicant for funding. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to their MiSTEM Network regional directors for assistance.

The application deadline is March 9.

Registration is open for two webinars about the initiative and the funding opportunity:

Monday,     Feb. 3: Program and toolkit breakdown.

Thursday,   Feb. 20: Information about the request for proposals.

From Students to Stewards will provide a roadmap for other schools looking to develop Great Lakes-based curriculum and ensure that Michigan is cultivating the next generation of water stewards, leaders, and decision-makers.