Three Lakes Association
The Three Lakes Association will utilize the funding to further their ongoing investigation into the root causes of golden-brown algae (GBA) that has accumulated on the bottom of area lakes in recent years. This marks the second round of funding they have received from Paddle Antrim for this continuous research.
Antrim County Emergency Management
Antrim County Emergency Management has been awarded funds to support the purchase of four 800MHz radios utilized in daily operations, special events, and emergency situations. These radios play a crucial role in both on-water and off-water emergencies, including their use during the Paddle Antrim Festival, serving Antrim County and surrounding region’s 7 county partners.
Conservation Resource Alliance
This project involves the construction of bank full spanning bridges and the installation of best management practices (BMPs) for stabilization, road runoff control, and stream restoration at two crossing sites. The objective is to reestablish a natural riverine ecosystem function.
Wagbo Farm and Education Center
The organization plans to implement a stormwater improvement plan aimed at reducing runoff through absorption, redirecting and capturing rooftop runoff, and infiltrating the remaining runoff before it enters the creek and ditches, ultimately leading to the Jordan River.
Michigan 4-H Foundation for Antrim County 4-H
Antrim County 4-H will organize two introductory kayaking trips from Bellaire to Intermediate Lake and back. The participants will receive valuable education on water safety, paddle techniques, navigation, and stewardship.
The Watershed Center for Grand Traverse Bay
The Watershed Center for Grand Traverse Bay was awarded the grant to fund their Road Salt Monitoring Pilot Project. The goal of this project is to estimate chloride concentrations in various locations throughout the Elk River Chain of Lakes watershed.
Grass River Natural Area
Grass River Natural Area (GRNA) was awarded funding to train a staff member to become certified to treat invasive species. This will enable GRNA to treat invasive plants in aquatic contacts, in wetlands, and in roadside and trailside ditches that connect to the watershed.
Three Lakes Association
Three Lakes Association received funding to continue their ongoing investigation into the root causes of golden-brown algae (GBA) that has accumulated on the bottom of area lakes in recent years. This funding will also help to develop a strategy for long term monitoring of GBA in Torch Lake in partnership with Torch Lake Protection Alliance and Torch Conservation Center.
Grass River Natural Area
GRNA was awarded funding which will go to creating Paddling Safety and Accessibility Kits. These kits will be taken on all kayak tours by the guides as well as used by staff and volunteers when the kayaks are used to monitor remote Grass River parcels for invasive species, sensitive species, and macroinvertebrates during stream sampling. With their pilot program of self-guided kayak rentals beginning in 2021, these kits can also be used by visitors that may not have their own dry bags or first aid kits on hand when heading out on the river.
Coast Guard Auxiliary: Charlevoix Flotilla
A uniformed volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard, was awarded funding for their AUXPAD (Auxiliary Paddlecraft) Program. This program allows the organization to patrol rivers and smaller bodies of water where power boats are unable to safely oversee.
Antrim Conservation District
Antrim Conservation District was awarded $565 toward the installation of a rain garden in Ellsworth in conjunction with the school’s Lancer Leap program. The rain garden captures and filters water runn-off from the parking lot.
Boardman River Clean Sweep
The Boardman River Clean Sweep was awarded $400 for equipment to host a clean-up on Torch River in August 2019. They purchased extendable spears and grabbers for doing cleanups in deeper water. The tools will be used for many other cleanup projects similar to this.
The Au Sable Institute
The Au Sable Institute was awarded $500 toward installation of a hoop house greenhouse to grow their own native plants for their REYS program which provides environmental education to 5th graders.
Village of Bellaire
Funding was provided through several grants to the Village of Bellaire for site improvements with the ultimate goal of a universal access kayak launch at Richardi Park. This project has been done in phases. In 2017 The Village of Bellaire completed construction plans, including the site plan, sections and plan details for the alternate trailhead site in Richardi Park. In 2018 they were awarded a grant to complete soil boringing. In 2019 they completed site development, pathway development, and shoreline stabilizations.
Antrim County Emergency Management
Antrim County Emergency Management was provided $1750 to purchase two 800 mHz radios for Antrim County. These radios are used for many activities including water related trainings for our emergency responders and events on the water like our Paddle Antrim Festival.
Grass River Natural Area’s Nature Center
Grant dollars provided funding for the design and installation of new interpretive panels for the Grass River Natural Area’s Nature Center. GRNA completed an interpretive plan that outlines their key messages to communicate with visitors. These key messages are now visually communicated with the design and fabrication of new interpretive panels and exhibits in the Grass River Center.
Milton Township
Milton Township was awarded $1000 towards the installation of the first universal access kayak launch on The Chain of Lakes Water Trail at Milton Township Waterfront Park in Kewadin. They were also awarded $1,600 to add kayak racks and a sidewalk connector to their kayak launch.
The Village of Elk Rapids
The Village of Elk Rapids was awarded $600 toward purchasing kayak racks at the Rotary Park Kayak Launch and at the end of River Street and Bridge Street.
Antrim Conservation District
Antrim Conservation District, in partnership with Helena Township, installed a kayak slide to provide an additional access point for paddlers on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail at the Alden Ball Park.
The Upper Chain of Lakes Association
The Upper Chain of Lakes Association did maintenance on the educational buoys that identify the no-wake zones on portions of the Upper portion of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail.
The Watershed Center
The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay upgraded their Bay Monitor, a 23’ eco-friendly aluminum hulled tugboat which is used for water quality monitoring, research, and educational purposes.
Antrim County Emergency Management
Antrim County Emergency Management was awarded $925 to purchase an adult CPR water rescue manikin to assist with water rescue training for all fire departments.
Grass River Natural area
Grass River Natural area was awarded $1000 to assist in their efforts to launch a “Links in the Chain Outreach Initiative” to educate residents and visitors on water and stream ecology, which will include an interactive stream table.
Intermediate Lake Association
Intermediate Lake Association was awarded $1000 to continue their dissolved oxygen monitoring program in Intermediate Lake.