Welcome to WATCH, Water and Air Team Charlevoix. WATCH, Inc. is a non-profit Michigan corporation dedicated to protecting the environmental quality of Charlevoix County, particularly its air and water resources. In 2013 we will celebrate our 30th year as environmental stewards.
Add yourself to our MEECS interest list
Fill out THIS FORM and we will keep you updated as our plans are finalized. Here’s a flyer that explains everything — MEECS Teacher Flyer.
Peter Sinclair Climate Presentation
An enthusiastic crowd attended the Global Climate 2012 presentation by Peter Sinclair in May. We continued past closing time at the library, in spite of the beautiful Charlevoix spring weather, and one of our members is working on bringing Sinclair back to our area in a few months.
Thank you, Peter Sinclair and the Climate Reality Project.
Join the Climate Reality Speaker Corps
Apply to be trained to be a Climate Reality Speaker HERE. If you are accepted, talk to WATCH about a scholarship to cover transportation and accommodation costs.
Coming in October — all 6 MEECS Workshops
If you are a school teacher in Charlevoix, Emmet, Antrim, or any other Northern Michigan county, and you’re interested in becoming certified to teach environmental science in your elementary or middle school classroom, this program is for you. Click HERE for more information. Interested? Fill out THIS FORM and we will keep you updated as our plans are finalized. Registration begins May 25, 2012.
And an update: Not only is the Michigan Geographic Alliance providing instructors and classroom kits, but the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation have awarded WATCH grants to cover other costs to teachers and schools for this program. Thank you!
Don’t Frack Michigan – Information Packet
Click HERE
End of the Trail?
Both houses of Congress are considering bills that will eliminate the Transportation Enhancements program, which provides funding for bike trails. WATCH has written a letter to Vice President Biden, Senators Levin and Stabenow, and Congressman Benishek. Read our letter HERE. Find out how you can send a letter yourself HERE.
Sponsor Idle Free
Want your business’s name on a 48″ banner that hangs all summer in downtown Charlevoix? Help us remind people to turn those keys for an idle free downtown. For more information, click HERE.
Citizen WATCH Dogs
We have new tools for Citizen WATCH Dogs who care about the Charlevoix County area.
Not sure how to make your opinions heard?
Sometimes it seems like decisions are made and you’re powerless to affect them. However, if we work together, we can have an impact.
Use our easy online form to comment on any permit request, proposed ordinance change, planning commission action, or ZBA request that has environmental impact.
We’ll follow up on your comments, attend meetings, and speak about the preferences of citizens like you. Click the link below to use the form:
Not sure what you need to review?
We identified this as a challenge in our recent Board off-site strategy meeting. And we decided to tackle it.
WATCH will be posting copies of some of the items you might want to review, beginning with DEQ and Army Corps of Engineers permit requests. Over the next few months, we’ll build a library of these for you to review and critique.
Here’s our first permit request for you to review: DEQ 11-15-0054P Feel free to just try out the form and let us know how you think the process can be improved.
New review opportunity: Proposed Storm Water Ordinance DRAFT 02-01-12 for all townships.
Thank you for helping to protect the water, air, and land resources of Charlevoix County.
Your Gift to WATCH this Year Will …
- Certify teachers to train the next generation of environmental stewards.
- Answer the WATCH Hotline
- Assure that WATCH reviews and takes action on all permit requests
- Produce a documentary film on hydraulic fracturing in our area
Donate Now
Click the “Donate” button. Your credit card or PayPal payment will be processed for us by PayPal, safely and securely. Of course, you can mail your donation, too.
On behalf of one of the most beautiful places in the world, we thank you!
Get Involved
See something beautiful in Charlevoix County that you just have to share? See something that threatens the quality of our water or air, and want us to do something about it? Email us, call us, or take a picture and text it to us at our NEW Hotline number: 231-224-6116 (call or SMS).
Our members are concerned citizens, aware of the need to be actively involved with issues that threaten our environment. For more than 25 years, they have protected the water and air resources so important to the area.
Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see a calendar of WATCH events. We welcome anyone who shares our mission to join us.
Interested in getting involved? Let us know by clicking on the green SUBSCRIBE button above. Already a member? You can also update your contact information — your mailing address, your email address — by clicking here.
Stay in Touch
We have other options for staying in touch:
- “Like” us on Facebook — or just follow our posts from here on the website
- “Follow” us on Twitter for quick updates and reminders (Click the little birdie)
- Subscribe to our RSS feeds for posts & comments (Click the words RSS)
- Subscribe to our website & have an email sent to you with each new post (put your email in the box and click the “Follow” button)
- Use the WATCH Hotline (number is above)
- Tell us about problems using our Citizen WATCH Dog Form (click the link above)
Or you can call or mail us at:
WATCH, Inc.
PO Box 615
Charlevoix, MI 49720
NEW Hotline: (231) 224-6116 (call or SMS)
email: watchcharlevoix@gmail.com
Smart Phone Corner
Add our contact info:
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