Michigan State University Extension is leading the effort to implement the Clean Boats, Clean
Waters program in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and
Energy. CBCW builds upon existing partnerships with statewide and local partners including the
Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas,
as well as lake associations and is actively seeking new opportunities and partnerships to share
the clean, drain, dry message.
Since 2006, the Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) program has been educating
boaters about aquatic invasive species originally through trained volunteer boat inspectors.
Over time, CBCW was enabled to grow into a comprehensive aquatic invasive species boater
outreach and awareness program that now houses smaller programs underneath it. Currently,
CBCW promotes understanding of boat cleaning practices and regulations through the
distribution of educational materials, boat washing demonstrations, grant opportunities, and
partnerships.
Under the Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters umbrella, two main programs reside in it, the
Mobile Boat Wash Program and the Clean Boats, Clean Waters Grant Program. To reduce the
spread of current invasions and prevent new ones, our Mobile Boat Wash program has worked
since 2014 on Clean, Drain, Dry education and keeping Michigan boats clean. The Mobile Boat
Wash has had immense success at events across Michigan through hands-on demonstrations
of boat and gear cleaning practices, providing educational resources and promotional materials,
and creating long lasting ties with the local communities that host the free events. The Mobile
Boat Wash program is comprised of two seasonal crews of two who travel across Michigan
throughout the summer with a trailered pressure washer, vacuum, containment mat, and a
variety of resources for local groups like lake associations, Cooperative Invasive Species
Management Areas, and nonprofit organizations. Through a full decade of educational events,
the Mobile Boat Wash has hosted over 400 events and has contacted 13,000 boaters and
anglers.
The second program under CBCW is the Clean Boats, Clean Waters Grant Program, which was
created in 2021. The CBCW grant program focuses on supplying small grants to organizations
across Michigan dedicated to hosting their own aquatic invasive species events and bringing
awareness to their own communities. Grants can be used for a variety of activities including
signage, invasive species removal supplies such as plant removal tools, sponges and towels,
and running educational booths and presentations with handouts and brochures. Since its
implementation, over 44 groups have been funded with these grant opportunities across
Michigan and have seen large impacts in their local areas for aquatic invasive species
awareness.
For interest in any of these programs, tune in to our social media channels under Michigan
Clean Boats, Clean Waters or reach out by email to bockelm4@msu.edu.
West Michigan Conservation Network 