Local schools launched restoration projects across the River Raisin Watershed in 2007 as part of a restoration initiative program. All projects are slated for completion by December 2008.

Read more about the restoration projects progress.

Restoration Projects and Schools

Bolles Harbor Math and Science students are working with the Department of Natural Resources to re-establish wild rice on five acres at Sterling State Park. Volunteers have begun searching local waterways and wetlands for a wild rice species native to the area. Once the native species is located and identified, students and volunteers will harvest the source beds and the seeds collected will be re sown at the park.

Monroe High School students plan to restore three acres of tall grass prairie at the Bolles Harbor Math and Science Center and install a native plant garden. Students have already begun work on the 1,000 square-foot garden at the center. The garden will become a seed source and a learning laboratory for the students to learn to identify native plants.

Orchard Center High School students will install a 3,000 square-foot rain garden on the school grounds with assistance from the Monroe County Drain Commissioner and AmeriCorps.

Morenci High School students will work together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Lenawee Conservation District to create a stream bank stabilization project on Bean Creek in Morenci. They will be experimenting with different bioengineering methods for stabilizing soils and reducing erosion.

Deerfield High School students will partner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Service and Lenawee Intermediate School District Votech Center to educate area farmers and promote adoption of grass filters as a way to reduce agricultural run-off into drains and the River Raisin.

Saline High School students will convert an existing retention pond to its original wetland habitat by restoring native aquatic plants. Students will monitor for macroinvertabrates and amphibians once the plantings are established.

Arthur Lesow Community Center students are interested in participating in a project for the removal of wild rush from the River Raisin near the City of Monroe.