June 29, 2025 Cleanup of Portage Creek in Kalamazoo
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Edison Resident Scholars Contact: Bela Ballez (programs@kalamazooriver.org) Event Description:3.5 hour cleanup of Portage Creek. Cleanup on shore or in the creek with waders. Pre-registration is not required.
Arrival: Please arrive by 8:00am near bridge on Reed Street (near corner of Reed Street and Reed Court). We will be parking on the street.
What to expect: Trash bags, gloves, and trash grabbers will be provided. Please bring your own waders if you wish to be in the creek, a limited supply will be available and will be first come first serve. Waivers will be signed on site.
July 19, 2025 Paddle on the South Branch of the Kalamazoo River
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Albion College Center for Sustainability and the Environment (CSE) Contact: Bela Ballez (programs@kalamazooriver.org) Event Description:1.5 hour/2.5-mile paddle from D Drive South to Barnes Park in Albion. Pre-registration is required. Please register below.
Vessel drop off/check-in: Check-in begins at 9:30AM, bagels, coffee, and swag provided by KRWC. Guests with personal watercraft can drop equipment at launch location.
Vehicle shuttle provided: Yes, courtesy of Albion College Center for Sustainability and the Environment (CSE). Guests will drop personal watercraft off at D Drive South, drive their car to Barnes Park where they will be shuttled back to D Drive South to start the paddle.
July 20, 2025 Allegan State Game Area Woods & Wetlands Tour
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Audubon Society of Kalamazoo, WaterTrail Ventures Contact: Bela Ballez (programs@kalamazooriver.org) Event Description:2.5 hour/5-mile paddle from WaterTrail Ventures to Hacklander Boat Launch in Saugatuck Township.Travel down river on gentle currents around Potawanami Marsh, encountering several species of birds and natural flora. Audubon Society of Kalamazoo will be providing leaders to identify birds. Great trip for beginner paddlers and bird watchers. Pre-registration is required. Please register below.
Vessel drop off/check-in: Check-in begins at 8:00AM, bagels, coffee, and swag provided by KRWC. Guests with personal watercraft can drop equipment at launch location.
Vehicle shuttle provided: Yes, courtesy of WaterTrail Ventures. Guests with personal watercraft drop off vessel at launch, drive car to take out location and will be shuttled back. The last shuttle will leave the take out location at 9:30am. Guests who are renting vessels will be shuttled at the end of the paddle.
Launch: 10:00am from WaterTrail Ventures. Paddlers specifically interested in bird identification with an Audubon Society of Kalamazoo leader will launch as a separate group a few minutes later.
July 26, 2025 15 Years After the Spill: Paddle from Saylor’s Landing to Bridge Park in Calhoun County
The paddle portion of this event from 9-1 has been canceled! Please register for our event on September 21 to paddle this stretch!
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Michigan Climate Action Network Contact: Erica Bouldin (erica.bouldin@miclimateaction.org) Event Description:3 hour/7-mile paddle from Saylor’s Landing to Bridge Park to reflect on the Enbridge oil spill 15 years later. Event will run from 9am-3pm with music and free food following the paddle. Pre-registration is required. Please use button below to learn more and register.
August 16, 2025 Paddle on the Kalamazoo River from Comstock to Kalamazoo
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, City of Kalamazoo Contact: Bela Ballez (programs@kalamazooriver.org) Event Description:2 hour/5-mile paddle from Merrill Park in Comstock to Verburg Park in Kalamazoo. Pre-registration is required. Register below.
Vessel drop off/check-in: Check-in begins at 9:30AM, bagels, coffee, and swag provided by KRWC and the City of Kalamazoo. Guests with personal watercraft can drop equipment at Merrill Park.
Vehicle shuttle provided: Yes, courtesy of City of Kalamazoo. Guests will check-in, drop personal watercraft off at launch, and drive car down to Verburg Park where they will be shuttled back to Merrill Park to begin the paddle.
Launch: 10:00am Merrill Park.
Take out: 12:30pm from Verburg Park.
Boat rentals: Available. Provided by Mainstream Tackle & Outdoors at $30 per kayak. Please indicate you need a boat rental on the registration form and call 269-665-5076 to book. These will be ready for you at Merrill Park.
August 23, 2025 Youth & Family Paddle 101at Woods Lake Park in Kalamazoo
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Kalamazoo Parks Contact: Bela Ballez (programs@kalamazooriver.org) Event Description:Join us at Woods Lake for a free, family-friendly event where kids and their families can learn the basics of kayaking and explore the natural wonders of the Kalamazoo River Watershed! Kayaks will be provided by Kzoo Parks and canoes will be provided by Mainstream Bait & Tackle. Pre-registration is not required. Spots are first come first serve, so arrive at 9:30am to secure a spot.
Check-in: Check-in begins at 9:30AM. Personal watercraft will not be allowed for this event as there is limited space at the park. Upon arrival youth & families will check-in, sign waivers, and put into groups.
What will we be doing: This event is a hands-on outdoor experience is designed for families with kids ages 5 and up who are new to paddling. In addition to time on the water, participants will rotate through interactive educational stations led by local environmental organizations, offering fun activities that connect kids with nature and science.
Event structure: The event is structured as a rotating circuit. Children will be divided into small groups and take turns at each station, including guided kayaking instruction and nature-based learning experiences with our partner organizations. A mid-event snack break will give everyone a chance to relax and recharge.
August 30, 2025 Annual Celebration: Paddle from Ft. Custer State Park to Galesburg Community Park
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council Contact: Bela Ballez (programs@kalamazooriver.org) Event Description:2 hour/5-mile paddle from Ft. Custer State Park to Galesburg Community Park followed by live music, activities for all ages, and a free meal. Pre-registration is required. Please register below.
Vessel drop off/check-in: Arrive at the Kalamazoo River Launch at Ft. Custer State Park at 1pm for those unloading a personal vessel. Check-in begins at 1:30 at Galesburg Community Park for those renting. An entrance fee of $11 or a state recreation pass is required to enter Ft. Custer and will need to be paid upon entrance.
Vehicle shuttle provided: Yes. Guests will check-in, drop personal watercraft off at Ft. Custer State Park, and drive car down to Galesburg Community Park where they will check-in and be shuttled back to Ft. Custer State Park to begin the paddle. Guests renting a vessel need only arrive at Galesburg community Park and check-in to leave their car and catch the shuttle. Vessels will be waiting at Ft. Custer State Park.
Launch: 2pm from Ft. Custer State Park.
Take out: 4pm from Galesburg Community Park
Boat rentals: Available courtesy of Mainstream Tackle & Outdoors at $30 per kayak. Please indicate you need a boat rental on the registration form and call 269-665-5076 to book. These will be ready for you at Fort Custer.
The celebration: Individuals who do not wish to paddle are welcome to join us for just the celebration from 4-7 at Galesburg Community Park, please indicate so on the registration form. There will be live music, free food, activities, and good company.
September 13, 2025 Paddle from Marshall to Ceresco
Hosts: City of Olivet, City of Marshall, City of Charlotte Contact: Alec Egnatuk(269)558-0337, Matt Griffith (517)231-2324, Jerry Staggs (269)339-8219. Cost: There is a $15 fee for this event. Event Description:3 hour paddle from Marshall Public Service Building to Ceresco Green Pre-registration is required. Please print the form below and follow mailing instructions.
Please note: The t-shirt you will receive through this event is not the Kanoe the Kazoo shirt sold through KRWC and designed by To Draw Attention.
September 20, 2025 Cleanup of the Kalamazoo River Watershed in Kalamazoo
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Edison Resident Scholars, City of Kalamazoo, TrashLoveKzoo Contact: Bela Ballez (programs@kalamazooriver.org) Event Description:Participants will spend 4 hours (12-4pm) cleaning specific areas of the Kalamazoo River Watershed. Pre-registration is required.Register below.
Arrive: All participants arrive at 12:00pm at Mayor’s Riverfront Park. If you are paddling, you will be dropping your vessel off at this location.
Check-in: Upon arrival, participants will receive instruction, PPE, cleaning supplies, snacks, and refreshments.
Boat rentals: Not available.
Event cost: There is no charge for this event.
Different Participation Opportunities:
“On foot” participation: 1. Clean-up while walking IN Portage Creek. This option requires waders. 2.Cleanup on-shore of different areas along Portage Creek and the Kalamazoo River in and around Kalamazoo. This option does not require waders. Locations in and around Kalamazoo will be assigned upon check-in. You will use your own vehicle to travel to the assigned location.
“In vessel” participation on Kalamazoo River:
All paddling participants are asked to wear Coastguard Approved personal flotation devices (“life jackets”), gloves, and waders or other foot protection throughout their river cleanup activity. For those of you with vessels and experience who would like to cleanup while paddling, we will be paddling:
Mayor’s Riverfront Park to Commerce Lane. Participants will drop their boats off at Mayor’s, then drive their vehicle and park at Commerce Lane after check-in. From Commerce Lane, shuttles provided courtesy of the City of Kalamazoo will return drivers to Mayor’s to start the cleanup. KRWC volunteers will be watching the vessels.
September 21, 2025 Paddle from Saylor’s Landing in Marshall to Historic Bridge Park in Battle Creek
Hosts: Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, Marshall Area Conservation Corps, Michigan Climate Action Network, Kalamazoo Remembers Contact: Bela Ballez (programs@kalamazooriver.org) Event Description:3.5 hour/7-mile evening paddle from Saylor’s Landing to Bridge Park followed by a meal. Pre-registration is required.Register below.
Vessel drop off/check-in: If you are bringing you own vessel, arrive at 1:45pm to Saylor’s to drop off your vessel and drive down to Bridge Park to catch the shuttle back to Saylor’s Landing. If you are renting a vessel, arrive at Bridge Park at 2:30 to drop off your car (vessels will be waiting for you at Saylor’s Landing).
Vehicle shuttle provided: Yes. Participants with personal vessels will unload at Saylor’s Landing, and drive to Bridge Park where the shuttle will take them back to Saylor’s Landing at 2:15. Participants renting a vessel will arrive to Bridge Park and catch the shuttle to Saylor’s Landing leaving at 2:45.
Launch: 3pm from Saylor’s Landing
Take out: 6:30pm from Historic Bridge Park
Boat rentals: Available for free with limited supply courtesy of Michigan Climate Action Network. Please indicate you are renting on the registration form. If you have indicated you are renting and can no longer attend, please contact us so we can make your vessel available to someone else!
