FOMR Calendar of Events

                    

"All life is part of our Earth’s complex ecosystem. People share space on this planet with all other forms of life (flora & fauna) and we interact with this planets air, water, soils and minerals. It is in our best interest to promote and support a healthy and sustainable environment. The Maple River and it’s watershed is a cohesive unit that reflects our behavior and actions relative to it’s survival. We all need to make a commitment to promote the wise use of the Maple River and it’s watershed.”    Edward J. Mikula - Biologist

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Coming FOMR Events for 2021

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 - Hoping to have an in person meeting in May. In search of an outdoor location to facilitate this event. 

- Looking to schedule a river clean up in April. Keep an eye out for more details! 

- Log jam work will need to be done latter this summer. Anyone interested in helping may contact Jack Nutter at 989-862-5541


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More 2021 FOMR Activities

Coming Soon!

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Past  FOMR Events from 2019


MARCH FOMR MEETING was

WED. MARCH 21ST

The history of the Maple River as told by long time residents of the river. Should be very interesting.

The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) March Bi-Monthly meeting will be held at the Clinton County Court House in St. Johns, MI on Wednesday, March 21st. The courthouse is at 100 E. State Street. The meeting is in the first floor conference room. Follow the FOMR signs. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM. The public is welcome and there is no charge to attend. Anyone interested in our watershed is welcome to attend the meeting.

This month FOMR is extending a special invitation to all persons with extensive knowledge of the Maple River. We are looking for people with interesting stories about the river and are willing to share these with the group. Those with an extended history of the river are especially encouraged to attend and share their knowledge. Accounts and photographs of how the river and area has changed as well as stories that have been handed down from family and friends would be wonderful. Adventures involving hunting, fishing, camping, or other stories are also encouraged. We plan to have several special guests who are longtime residents to kick things off by sharing their stories.

They include, Richard Hess, a river landowner, his farm has many acres on both sides of the river and has been in the Hess family over 100 years. Dean Temple another long time river resident and Mike Rademacher, also on the river for over 60 years and a former conservation officer. Come and join us for an entertaining evening and learn about our Maple River from those who live on it.

A short business meeting will follow the presentation. Mark your calendars for this years FOMR annual Maple River Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 14th, meeting at the Old Elsie Dam, just West of Elsie at 9am and our FOMR annual planned Maple River float trip and survey on Saturday, May 19th,, Location TBA, depending on river condition.

Also, the Friends encourage you to consider attending the upcoming with our friends at the Clinton Conservation District Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 28th. Dr. David Lusch with MSU will be presenting and he is very interesting and knowledgeable. For more info call Clinton Conservation District, Phone: (989) 224-3720 ext. 3, or go to, https://www.clintonconservation.org/…/…/64th-annual-meeting/

As always, check our website http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find us on Facebook @ Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to. For for more information or to become a member, supporter, or donor of FOMR, contact us at: email: FOMR_info@friendsofthemapleriver.org 

Saturday, June 13th.

FOMR volunteers were there with our kayaks and canoe giving lessons for the kids (and adults)!!

It was a beautiful day and all

had great fun!



Sleepy Hollow State Park - Youth Outdoor Adventure Day - Centennial Event





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The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) June, Bi-Monthly meeting/float trip was held on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

We had a great time and lots of paddlers showed up for our float trip.  

It was a nice night with perfect weather and river conditions for a scenic trip down the Maple River.




Celebrate the end of your work day. Join the Friends of the Maple River on Wednesday, June 19th as we enjoy an evening float down the Maple River to the Elsie Dam. We will meet at 6:30 pm, at the Latoff Landing Boat Launch, located next to the bridge, across from 6040 East French Rd, Elsie (if you Google the location.) (NOTE:) The location is at the corner of North St. Clair Rd. and East Maple River Road (French Rd.).

This 2 hour paddle is along a relaxing stretch of the river teeming with wildlife, such as, deer, turkeys, eagles, etc., the perfect way to unwind. For more information call Joyce Haak at (607) 206-3867. Look for the FOMR signs.

The float will start at 6:30 PM. We will have vehicles staged at the dam for the return trip. The public is welcome and there is no charge to attend. Anyone interested in our river and watershed is welcome to attend.

See you on the river!

Attendees are encouraged to bring their watercraft of choice and plan to spend a little time on the Maple River. Putting your craft in and out of the water will provide you the opportunity to practice the full extent of the Clean Boats, Clean Waters initiative. Feel free to arrive a little early to get your craft ready to go into the water once the program starts at 6:30. Anyone planning to paddle the river must bring his or her own paddling equipment and life jackets (PFD's). Insect repellent is also advised along with shoes/booties that can get wet.


For more info also contact: Chris Mikula at 989-640-7104, wildcam@aol.com

or Jon Morrison at 989-224-1106 both of the Friends of the Maple River.


    As always, check our website; http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find us on Facebook @ Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to. For more information or to become a member, donor or supporter of FOMR, contact us at:

The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) held their March Bi-Monthly meeting at the East Olive Community Center at 7:00 PM, on Wednesday, March 20th.

This months topic was a MDNR presentation on the MDNR’s efforts to contend with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) will held their March Bi-Monthly meeting at the East Olive Community Center at 7:00 PM, on Wednesday, March 20th. The Center is located at 2583 E. Green Road, South East of St. Johns, Michigan. (former East Olive Elementary School) The public is welcome and there is no charge to attend. It is also a chance to check out the new community center and all of its activities.

This month FOMR is pleased to have Chad Fedewa, Wildlife Biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, as our presenter. Mr. Fedewa will be focusing his presentation on an update of the MDNR’s efforts to contend with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the deer herd within Michigan. For info on CWD from the MDNR website go to;
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79608_90516---,00.html
We recognize this subject matter to extend beyond more typical watershed management pursuits and welcome and encourage anyone that may have an interest in the topic to attend.

A business meeting will follow the presentation, with a focus on a recap of the Quiet Water Symposium, final preparations for the River Clean Up scheduled April 13th, and making arrangements for a Float Trip this summer.

As always, check our website http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find us on Facebook @ Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to. For for more information or to become a member, supporter, or donor of FOMR, contact us at: email: FOMR_info@friendsofthemapleriver.org

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Past  FOMR Events from 2018


FOMR MEETING & FLOAT TRIP was WEDNESDAY July 11th!

FOMR members and friends,

Notice for this week's upcoming
Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) meeting,
Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
Note that a notice will not be in newspapers for the meeting. All interested parties are welcome to attend.

The meeting will be at the Elsie Dam, just West of downtown Elsie, beginning at 7 PM per usual. FOMR member, longtime area resident and Maple River expert, Jack Nutter will be sharing his personal stories and recollections about the river for approximately ½ hour. Dawn Levey will give an update on the DuPlain Township Recreation Plan and Grant status and also plans for a work day at the dam. Any other business will also be addressed. Following this, for those that are interested an approximate 1 hour float will occur from Shepardsville Road downriver to the Elsie dam. It should be perfect weather for an evening paddle on the river. The weather is forecast to be in the low 80's to mid 70's, dress accordingly.


Please bring: lawn chairs to sit in, refreshments as you may desire for the meeting and canoe or kayak and float and safety gear (PFD's) if you intend to participate in the float. If you are in need of a craft to float in please respond to this message and we will see what we can come up with for you.

Please spread the word about the meeting, since it won’t be in the papers and we are looking forward to seeing you there.


Feel free to arrive a little early to get your craft ready to go into the water before the float starts after the meeting.

Anyone planning to paddle on the river must bring his or her own kayak, canoe or small jon boat, along with paddling equipment and life jackets (PFD's). Or make prior arrangements to ride with someone.


For more info contact: Jack Nutter at 989-292-1268 or 989-862-5541, Chris Mikula at 989-640-7104, wildcam@aol.com or Jon Morrison at 989-224-1106 all with the Friends of the Maple River.


As always, check our website http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find us on Facebook @ Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to. For for more information or to become a member, supporter, or donor of FOMR, contact us at:

email: FOMR_info@friendsofthemapleriver.org


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FOMR May meeting was Wed. May 16th!

The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) May Bi-Monthly meeting will be held at the boat launch at Muskrat Lake (on the south side of Jason Road ½ mile west of Dewitt Road and ½ mile east from Airport Road) on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. Follow the FOMR signs. The meeting will start at 6:00 PM.

The public is welcome and there is no charge to attend. Anyone interested in our watershed and aquatic invasive species is welcome to attend the meeting.


Erin Pavloski, Regional Invasive Species Coordinator, Ingham Conservation District, of the Mid-Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) will be presenting on aquatic invasive species and the statewide Clean Boats, Clean Waters program, and how you can help reduce their spread between local lakes and rivers. There will be inspection demonstrations with paddling and boating equipment and free outreach materials available.


Attendees are encouraged to bring their watercraft of choice and plan to spend a little time on Muskrat Lake. There are recent signs of beaver activity on the lake, so you might try to catch a glimpse of a beaver or take a few minutes to fish and/or just take in the sites. Putting your craft in and out of the water will provide you the opportunity to practice the full extent of the Clean Boats, Clean Waters initiative. Feel free to arrive a little early to get your craft ready to go into the water once the program starts at 6. Anyone planning to paddle on the lake must bring his or her own paddling equipment and life jackets (PFD's).

Please take this opportunity to embrace Mid-Michigan CISMA activities to fight invasive species.

Contact: Erin Pavloski, Regional Invasive Species Coordinator, Ingham Conservation District @ erin.jarvie@macd.org, 517-676-2290 ext. 2 or Chris Mikula at 989-640-7104, wildcam@aol.com or Jon Morrison at 989-224-1106 both of the Friends of the Maple River.

We hope to see you May 16th at Musk Rat Lake!


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Maple River group float on Saturday May 19th.

As an additional note, the FOMR does plan to do a Maple River group float on Saturday May 19th. The time will be from 9 AM to about noon. The location will be either downstream from the Elsie Dam or from the DNR launch on French Road just upstream (east) of Hubbardston Road. The location and details will be determined during the May 16th meeting and info distributed thereafter. Since the prior river cleanup was canceled due to weather, the plan will be to work in a little cleanup activity as part of the float.


Contact: Chris Mikula at 989-640-7104, wildcam@aol.com or Jon Morrison at 989-224-1106 both of the Friends of the Maple River.


As always, check our website http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find us on Facebook @ Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to. For for more information or to become a member, supporter, or donor of FOMR, contact us at:

email: FOMR_info@friendsofthemapleriver.org


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River Cleanup/Log Jam Work Day 2018

NOTICE!!! EVENT CANCELED DUE TO STORMY WEATHER

Due to wet, windy, cold, stormy, winter weather, the cleanup Day has been canceled.

Please check back for further updates on a possible alternative make-up day. Or Contact Jack Nutter @ H 989-862-5541

Saturday, April 14, 2018 Elsie Dam, 9 am
(possible Apr. 21st make-up date)

Contact Jack Nutter @ H 989-862-5541 or C 989-292-1268  to for more info



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MARCH FOMR MEETING was

WED. MARCH 21ST

The history of the Maple River as told by long time residents of the river. Should be very interesting.

The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) March Bi-Monthly meeting will be held at the Clinton County Court House in St. Johns, MI on Wednesday, March 21st. The courthouse is at 100 E. State Street. The meeting is in the first floor conference room. Follow the FOMR signs. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM. The public is welcome and there is no charge to attend. Anyone interested in our watershed is welcome to attend the meeting.

This month FOMR is extending a special invitation to all persons with extensive knowledge of the Maple River. We are looking for people with interesting stories about the river and are willing to share these with the group. Those with an extended history of the river are especially encouraged to attend and share their knowledge. Accounts and photographs of how the river and area has changed as well as stories that have been handed down from family and friends would be wonderful. Adventures involving hunting, fishing, camping, or other stories are also encouraged. We plan to have several special guests who are longtime residents to kick things off by sharing their stories.

They include, Richard Hess, a river landowner, his farm has many acres on both sides of the river and has been in the Hess family over 100 years. Dean Temple another long time river resident and Mike Rademacher, also on the river for over 60 years and a former conservation officer. Come and join us for an entertaining evening and learn about our Maple River from those who live on it.

A short business meeting will follow the presentation. Mark your calendars for this years FOMR annual Maple River Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 14th, meeting at the Old Elsie Dam, just West of Elsie at 9am and our FOMR annual planned Maple River float trip and survey on Saturday, May 19th,, Location TBA, depending on river condition.

Also, the Friends encourage you to consider attending the upcoming with our friends at the Clinton Conservation District Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 28th. Dr. David Lusch with MSU will be presenting and he is very interesting and knowledgeable. For more info call Clinton Conservation District, Phone: (989) 224-3720 ext. 3, or go to, https://www.clintonconservation.org/…/…/64th-annual-meeting/

As always, check our website http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find us on Facebook @ Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to. For for more information or to become a member, supporter, or donor of FOMR, contact us at: email: FOMR_info@friendsofthemapleriver.org


 

FOMR activities dates for 2017:


Upcoming meetings and events (meetings are all Wednesdays, most the 3rd Wed. of the month @7 PM): Some Locations TBA

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September FOMR Meeting!

The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) will be holding their September Bi-Monthly meeting in the Board of Commissioner’s Room in the Clinton County Court House in St. Johns on Wednesday, September 20th. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM.


The Courthouse is located at 100 E. State Street. Park in the parking lot behind/south of the courthouse and come into the building through the entrance located there.

This month FOMR have an experienced beekeeper that will be giving a presentation about honey bees and keeping them. FOMR will also have Erin (Jarvie) Pavloski, Regional Invasive Species Coordinator, Mid-Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (MM-CISMA) to do a training session on “Clean Boats, Clean Waters” focused on preventing the spread of invasive species when transporting boats, etc. You may learn more at http://micbcw.org/join-the-fight/ and those interested should do the online training prior to the meeting to become a certified “trainer”.

A short business meeting will follow the presentation to take care of routine affairs including the required annual organization registration with the State of Michigan as well as to consider the next slate of officers.

As always for more info, check our website http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find us on Facebook @ Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to.



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2017 

FOMR, 11th Annual Maple River

cleanup & log jam removal day,

FOMR & MSU student VOLUNTEERS needed!


Please come help the Friends of the Maple River (FOMR)

Volunteers come join us as we do our annual spring clean-up and log jam removal along the Maple River. We will be meeting  TBA at 9AM at the South side of old Elsie Dam located on the West side of the village of Elsie on the North side of the road. Volunteers will receive instructions, assignments and supplies for the cleanup. Wear boots or shoes that can get wet (it can be muddy & wet) and bring a pair of gloves to protect your hands.

Crews will be assigned areas of the river to remove trash from along bridge crossings and other public access sites along sections of the river from the shore. Other crews will float the river in canoes or kayaks and help to remove log jams and trees that are blocking the river along with removing trash and debris. All items collected will be recycled or bagged to be taken to the landfill.

Volunteers are needed, for more info & to volunteer, please contact; Jack Nutter @ 989-862-5541 to sign up to help

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May 17 – Farm Tour (local dairy farm, TBA)

June 3 – Sat. as our “Annual” FOMR, ½ day float trip on the river, probably over by Hubbardston near the Maple River Campground to M-21, depending on river conditions.

July 12 – Short float trip on the Maple River, location TBA.

 
Sept. 20 – Beekeeping, local beekeeper as speaker.

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Past FOMR Events in 2017


March 15th – CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) presentation by Michigan DNR, on disease affecting local deer.

The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) held it's Bi Monthly meeting on Wednesday March 15th at the Riley Township Hall in Clinton County.

The meeting started at 7:00 PM. The Riley Township hall's address is 7110 West Pratt Road. (The Township Hall is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Francis and Pratt roads in Clinton County.)

The evenings featured speaker was Chad Fedewa, Wildlife Biologist with the Michigan Department 0f Natural Resources Wildlife Division. His topic will be Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that has been confirmed in the Deer herd in Ingham and Clinton Counties. The disease's core area and surrounding buffer townships in Clinton, Ingham, Shiawassee and Eaton counties are just south of the of the Maple River watershed. CWD has also been discovered recently in Mecosta county. Persons who are interested in deer, deer hunting and deer disease problems were welcome to attend the meeting to get the latest information on this disease in Central Michigan's deer herd.

A business meeting followed, including updates on the upcoming April 8th Maple River clean up day, a recap of the FOMR information booth at the Quiet Waters Symposium at Michigan State University and a discussion of FOMR projects planned for the summer and fall.

For more information about the Friends of the Maple River and its programs, like us on Facebook at Friends of the Maple River or on the organizations website at: friendsofthemapleriver.org.


Saturday, March 4th, 2017

22nd Annual Quiet Water Symposium

FOMR had a booth at the Quiet Water Symposium held at the MSU Pavilion, from 9am til 5:30pm.

For more information go to;

 http://quietwatersociety.org/ 


The QWS was packed with visitors again this year, with lots of people stopping by to check out our FOMR booth and say hello.

22st Annual Quiet Water Symposium a part of ANR Week

An annual event where those who share a love of outdoor, non-motorized recreation come together to share:

Our Experiences and Adventures in the great outdoors
The Equipment we build and use
Our Concerns for our waters and related resources
Opportunities to participate.

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Thank You!
The Friends of the Maple River first want to say Thanks to all the generous donors and committed members and volunteers that helped with the Friend’s efforts in 2016.
And now in 2017, we would also encourage all of our Maple River Watershed residents to consider how they can make good on their New Year’s resolutions by getting/being more involved with the Friends of the Maple River – Be more active by participating in river clean ups and/or float trips; join or volunteer to become more active in your community and/or to help improve conservation and/or environmental stewardship.
Most importantly let’s leave a legacy that our kids and grand kids can appreciate.
As always, check our website and /or find us on Facebook at Friends of the Maple River, to stay in touch with what the Friends are up to.

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FOMR EVENTS 2016:


Quiet Water Symposium, being held at the MSU Pavilion!

Don't forget to come visit your FOMR friends this Saturday, March 5th, 2016 at our FOMR booth at the Quiet Water Symposium, being held at the MSU Pavilion! Stop by and say hi!

We will have our brand NEW, waterpoof, 2nd edition FOMR, Maple River Trail quide with history of the Maple River area available for sale!

Stop by and check it out and make sure you get your FOMR, Maple River Trail Guide soon for the upcoming paddle season!

21st Annual
Quiet Water Symposium a part of ANR Week

An annual event where those who share a love of outdoor, non-motorized recreation come together to share:

Our Experiences and Adventures in the great outdoors
The Equipment we build and use
Our Concerns for our waters and related resources
Opportunities to participate

http://www.quietwatersymposium.org/qws2016.html



River Cleanup/Log Jam Work Day

Saturday, April 16th (April 23rd make-up date)

Contact Jack Nutter @ 989-862-5541 to sign up to help


Looking Glass River Expedition 2016”

Begins in Dewitt on Thursday June 2, and ends in Portland on Sunday, June 5.

Call Jon Morrison @ 989-224-1106 if interested



Scheduled FOMR meetings in 2016

(7 PM start unless otherwise indicated)

March 23 – Clinton County Court House, St. Johns

May 18 – To be determined

July 20 – Float Muskrat Lake?

September 21 – To be determined