Adopt-A-River
Keeping our Rivers Clean.
Platte River and Crystal River are two unique and very popular scenic rivers within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Thousands of visitors float, paddle, and fish these rivers each year.
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, in cooperation with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, has developed an Adopt-A-River program to provide regular monitoring and clean-up of the rivers within the Park. We also coordinate with the Traverse Area Paddle Club to do large clean-up events a couple of times each summer.
Two parts to an Adopt-a-River Volunteer
1. Identify bank erosion and downed trees, branches, or other strainers, and clear small obstructions by hand or with hand tools. Communicate larger obstructions or erosion to Park Roads, Trails, and Grounds crew.
2. Patrol the rivers for trash left behind by patrons or what has flown down and gotten caught in the river. You will help assure that these fresh waters will be clean and in good condition for its inhabitants and for future visitors.
To become an Adopt-A-River volunteer, you or your group must commit to patrolling your river segment [specific amount of times] during the spring, summer, and fall.
To learn more about becoming an Adopt-a-River volunteer
1st
Review the full Adopt-a-River Volunteer Description
2nd
complete a Volunteer Registration Form and one of our Volunteer Coordinators will contact you to answer questions and get you into the program
3rd
Our Volunteer Coordinator will help you sign up as a Volunteer-in-Park (VIP) at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. If you are already a VIP, we will add this job to your existing VIP profile. If you are not a VIP, fill out the Volunteer Agreement Form
4th
Upon volunteer orientation with the program coordinator, you will receive a litter gitter, a parks pass, and an orange Friends Volunteer vest which we ask you to wear whenever you are participating in a clean-up as well as be a safe water steward by wearing a Personal Flotation Device