Project Clarity Celebrates 10

Years

Dozens of stakeholders from community groups, nonprofit organizations, business establishments, educational institutions, and local government gathered on June 6th at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant in Holland, MI, to celebrate ten years of Project Clarity’s impact within the Macatawa Watershed. Project Clarity, one of the nine divisions of the ODC Network, set out ten years ago to improve the clarity and quality of Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed.

“Today, the water clarity and water quality of the Macatawa Watershed and Lake Macatawa are the best we have seen in recorded history,” said Travis Williams, CEO of the ODC Network.

“Hundreds of restoration projects in the Watershed have withheld the equivalent of 6,500 dump trucks worth of sediment from Lake Macatawa each year – that’s the entire 20-mile length of the Macatawa River. We were able to accomplish this by engaging with farmers and water quality specialists. As a result, 65 farms committed to best management practices on 36,000+ acres - nearly 50% of farmland in the Watershed. Thanks to this collaborative effort, you can see deeper into Lake Macatawa than ever before.”

Philanthropists Dick & Betsy DeVos and Jim & Donna Brooks were featured as keynote speakers at the sold-out event as the original investors in Project Clarity. “We knew something had to be done to improve Lake Macatawa for our community. So, who do we call to get it done? Travis Williams at the ODC Network,” said Jim Brooks. “Today, we celebrate the results of what has been done and what we can look forward to in the future.”

Project Clarity work began by outlining a five-step remediation plan for success. Identifying key land areas for restoration, prioritizing restoration, implementing best management practices, increasing awareness through education, and creating a long-term management plan were all successfully implemented by the Project Clarity team.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the ODC team and all they have done for our community,” said Dick DeVos. “The state of the world today can often feel like a burden. But today, we all get the privilege to go home tonight and say that what we have learned today is a win. Today was a win for our community. We may not see these investments pay off today, but our children and grandchildren will. We are the ones that get to ensure Lake Macatawa is still here to be enjoyed by generations to come.”

Project Clarity’s work is ongoing in the Watershed. Improvements will continue as steps of the long-term management plan are implemented. “I want to be clear when I say that there is still work to be done,” said Williams. “Improving the quality of our Watershed can only continue as a community-wide effort. Talk to your local decision-makers and share that water quality is important to you.”

Zeeland Art Gallery to Feature 2 Guest Artists

Zeeland Art Gallery will be exhibiting the works of Zeeland area artists, Marcia DeKleine and Sara DenBesten. Both artists will be featuring many of their acrylic pours.

The Flow Exhibit will be open to the public from June 7 - July 14, with an Artist Reception, Thursday, June 15, 6-8 pm. Please join us! Zeeland Art Gallery/Frameware located at 122 E. Main Ave., Zeeland.

Rep. Slagh Will Host Morning Office Hours

State Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland) invites residents to join him at his upcoming morning office hours.

Local office hours are an opportunity for constituents to meet face-to-face with Rep. Slagh to share their thoughts, questions, and concerns. No appointments are necessary to attend.

The meetings will be held Monday, June 12 at the following times and locations:

• From 7 to 8 a.m. at The Farmhouse Restaurant located at 430 W. Washington Ave. in Zeeland

• From 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Signatures Coffee and Espresso located at 6375 Balsam Dr. Ste. 100 in Hudsonville

• From 10 to 11 a.m. at Starbucks located at 180 Baldwin St. in Jenison

Those unable to attend Rep. Slagh’s local office hours may share their thoughts by contacting his Lansing office at (517) 373-0841or BradleySlagh@House.MI.gov.

Tech Center Students Learn About Careers Through Mobile Classroom

Careerline Tech Center

Agriculture and Animal Studies, Environmental Field Studies and Pastry Arts and Baking program students learned about careers in the food processing industry thanks to a visit from the Michigan State University mobile food processing lab.

“The MSU Mobile Food Processing Lab is a great opportunity for students to see the different career opportunities within Food Processing,” Agriculture and Animal

Studies Instructor for Careerline Tech Center, Tony McCaul, said. “Students were also able to make connections between how our food goes from the farmer/producer to be ready for consumers.”

After a tour and a small demonstration in the mobile lab students were more informed about college options within food processing and available careers in the field.

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