The River Raisin, originally called Nummasepee (river of sturgeon) by the Native Americans, is 135 miles long and the most crooked river in the world. The River Raisin Watershed covers 1,072 square miles in SE Michigan and part of NW Ohio.

The Institute is collaborating with schools on the River Raisin Watershed Monitoring Project. Monitoring activities also include testing the water samples for the presence of fecal coliform and other total suspended solids. In 2007, we began looking at stewardship and long-term goals for restoration. Seven schools identified small restoration projects in their community. The long term restoration project is to restore habitat and re-establish sturgeon population in the river.

Our hope is that we will generate a sense of pride and improved public image of the river, remove invasive plant species, restore plant and fish species, encourage development of more sustainable economic activities around the river and develop an ecological education center.