The Michigan Coastal Cleanup is part of the international effort.  It is directed by the Alliance for the Great Lakes (also called Adopt-a-Beach).  The North Woods Conservancy is the local coordinator for Houghton, Keweenaw, and parts of Ontonagon and Baraga Counties.  Our ultimate goal is to clean the entire perimeter of the Keweenaw, from Misery Bay all the way around the Tip of the Keweenaw and down to L’Anse, at the foot of Keweenaw Bay, including the Portage Ship Canal, Portage Lake, Torch Lake, and all interior lakes and rivers.  Together we can do it!

Take a look at the sites listed below.  You can claim an unclaimed site, join the effort at a claimed site, or choose an unlisted site to clean up.  (If you choose a new site, let us know so we can add it to the cumulative list. Make sure you have permission if it's private.)  The person in charge at each site is called the Beach Captain.  Beach Captains name the place, date, and time, fill out the data cards, and report the data. Bags, gloves, data cards, and pencils are available from the NWC (stop by the Visitor’s Center in Ahmeek between 2 and 6 M-F or 12 and 8 Sa-Su) or directly from the Alliance for the Great Lakes.   If you do sign up through the Alliance, please still claim your site on this page by so we can keep track of who is doing what (Contact Us).  BIG THANKS to Ruth Mohr, who tabulated and sent in all the data the last three years.

The official date and time are always the 3rd Saturday in September (the 15th in 2012) from 9 am to noon, but since this date and time conflicts with the Parade of Nations at MTU, Beach Captains may choose any date and time, plus or minus a week.  Most people do it Sunday morning.

The NWC started the MCC local effort in 2000 at Seven Mile Point.  Every year, more sites are added.  Why not adopt your special beach?  It's a fun way to get out and spend time with family and friends on a gorgeous fall day and do good.

Here’s the list of sites in alphabetical order (showing Beach Captain, if claimed):

To view the images below, double-click on any photo or play slideshow.