Aware and Engaged

This mother daughter duo is on spot with their community engagement. Nora & Brooke had spent the morning picking up trash as part of the Mayors' Grand River Clean Up. The two took time out of their morning to discuss not only what the river means to them but how water flows through their lives. As it turns out this pair also helped artist Sara Briggs-Grzegorski paint the mural about environmental responsibility, "The Stream of Life" in the Sixth Street Parking lot. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the environment.

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The Streets of Grand Rapids

My Your Our Water made the cross country trek to Grand Rapids, Michigan to open up the water conversation to a city that has a river running through the heart of it. In order to participate in any sort of commerce or entertainment in downtown GR, one must pass of the Grand River. One might think that the multiple daily river crossings would become old hat and the river simply a decorative feature in the background. Well, that's a half truth. To many members of the Grand Rapids community the Grand River is a source of recreation, economic development, unique ecologies and of course, pride.  Thanks for sharing the grand River with MYOW.

These images were taken by the one and only Eric Tank in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Boxed Water is Better? 

On average, Americans through away approximately 35 billion plastic water bottles a year. Billions of pounds of plastic waste can be found floating in the ocean covering up to 40% of the ocean surface. The Great Pacific Garbage patch off the coast of California is twice the size of Texas with plastic pieces out number sea life 1 to 6.  

Armed with this knowledge a company set out to change they way consumers purchase water on the go. Boxed Water is Better  was created to use less plastic packaging and while still providing a convenient product that consumers desire. *The box still has a plastic screw top lid.

If cartons aren't your thing, try and old fashioned metal thermos. Gets the job done every time!

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Communications

The ability to express thoughts clearly and concisely to large numbers of people falls on the shoulders of the gentleman seated on the Tricycle. Aaron B is in Communications at West Michigan Environmental Action Council. This organization turns words into actions. They have a 40 year history of education, advocacy and protection of the natural resources in West Michigan. They do everything from educational outreach to rain barrel handouts to river cleanups to riding the MYOW trike.

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Smart Water

"I am from Grand Rapids. I love this City! I believe the River is the heart of it. IN fact Grand Rapids wouldn't have its' name without it. I am hoping the city still plans on removing the dams along the river to restore the natural flow of the river and the rapids."

This was submitted by Mary J. in Grand Rapids, MI.

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Be the Change

This group of optimists heralds from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This mix of athletes and activists participated in the 12th Annual Mayors Grand River Cleanup. This crew of individuals wore shirts with the phrase "I can be the change."  MYOW was inspired by their dedication and commitment to actions not words. This group is making strides to create the world in which they live defined by  a sense of social justice and shared responsibility. Leanne and Anne, a soccer player and a lacrosse player gave up their Saturday morning that could have been reserved for sleeping in after a long week of classes and practice, to pick up trash along the river. Sometimes, it's not easy. Sometimes, it's dirty. Sometimes, it's not fun.  But, you can be the change.

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Who Gives a Frack?

Who gives a frack? The lady riding the MYOW tricycle is Pat. She volunteers with the organization Lets Ban Fracking. She was setting up a table for the morning in downtown Grand Rapids with the goal of educating the public and gathering signatures to get an initiative on the ballot to ban fracking in Michigan. Needless to say, Pat was onboard with water. Thank you for providing MYOW with information about fracking and for following your passion to save the water.

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Two Erins

This is Erin. She participated in the Mayors Grand River Cleanup along the banks of the Grand River.  I met Erin on the 6th street bridge over looking the floating MYOW. Erin is from Flint, Michigan, a city that is currently in the headlines for a city wide  crisis of elevated lead levels in the water. We discussed water, connectedness, climate change, early mornings and art. Erin is an art student at Kendall College of Art and Design. Thank you for sharing your insights and your Saturday to help clean up the Grand!

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A View From the Bridge

My Your Our Water traveled through 9 states to finally land in the Grand River in Grand Rapids. The goal was and is to initiate conversation about water in each of our lives and to better understand our shared connectedness to it. The Grand River flows through 9 cities before emptying into Lake Michigan. What happens up stream in your backyard flows down stream into your neighbors faucet.  What might seem like an awkward string of possessive adjectives, is a floating 45 foot visual reminder that we are all in this together.

This image was shared by Whitney B from Grand Rapids, MI.

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Character

On spotty weather morning, the Junior National Honor's Society from Northview Crossroads Middle School participated in the 12th Annual Mayors' Grand River Cleanup. This dedicated group of young stewards gave up their September Saturday morning to protect and preserve the Grand River. It was incredibly refreshing to witness the great sense of community responsibility and strong character demonstrated by this group of tomorrow's caretakers. Thank you for your actions and hope you had fun!

These images were shared by Molly W. in Grand Rapids, MI.

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