Southwest Michigan Planning Commission

05/07/2026

Register for this great St Joseph River Watershed Celebration on May 15
https://fotsjr.org/upcoming_events
Join the Friends of the St. Joe River Association for dinner and networking at our 18th Annual St. Joseph River Watershed Celebration at the Pokagon Band Community Center in Dowagiac, Michigan. At the Center of It All - Stories of Transformation, Connection, and Endurance. This event will feature dinner, presentation of the Watershed Stewardship Award, and two stories connecting our region to the broader landscape.

The evening will open with a personal family story set in the Black Swamp of the neighboring Maumee River Watershed, reflecting on the transformation of massive marshy landscapes through drainage and settlement. Ted Beatty's story will be followed by dinner, and then Rob Hartman will share his story...

05/07/2026

🌧️🚫 ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN! 🚫🌧️
Storm drains are for rainwater only — not leaves, sticks, grass clippings, or trash! 🍂🌿

Clogged drains = flooded streets.
You can help by keeping gutters and curbs clear.

🔗 Learn more by scanning the QR code or visiting www.letskeepitblue.org
💧 Let’s work together to and protect our water!

03/26/2026

Are you passionate about your neighborhood and ready to make a difference?

Applications are now open for the Community Leadership Academy—a FREE 12-week program from Be Healthy Berrien and Corewell Health that helps residents build leadership skills and turn ideas into action right here in their community.



✅ Open to adults (18+) living in Niles, Niles Charter Township, Buchanan City, and Buchanan Township
✅ Wednesday evening sessions
✅ Meals provided
✅ Childcare stipends available
✅ No prior leadership experience needed



The Academy focuses on leadership, advocacy, communication, and problem-solving to address local priorities like food access, physical activity, and community safety.



If you or someone you know lives in ZIP codes 49120 or 49107, this is a great opportunity to connect with neighbors and help strengthen your community.

03/25/2026

We’re excited to share that our updated website will be going live tomorrow!

Our previous platform was being discontinued, so this transition ensures we can continue providing reliable and up-to-date information. The new site will look very similar to what you’re used to, though you may notice a few small differences as we make this shift.

Over the coming months, we’ll continue making improvements and enhancements to better serve our communities.

If you come across anything that doesn’t look quite right or isn’t functioning as expected, please let us know—we appreciate your help in making the site as useful as possible.

03/24/2026

Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to protect our water!

Small changes at home can make a BIG impact on our local waterways. Follow these simple tips to keep our water clean this season:

🌳 Plant native trees and shrubs to help reduce runoff and minimize maintenance.
🚫💦 Only rain in the storm drain! Never dump anything down storm drains or into streams.
🌱⚠️ Limit fertilizer and pesticide use to prevent harmful runoff into waterways.

Learn more at: Learnhttps://www.swmpc.org/water.asp

03/10/2026

Did you know that washing your car at home can send soap, grease, and dirt straight into storm drains and local waterways? Here’s how you can help:
✅ Use a commercial car wash—they filter and recycle water!
✅ If washing at home, do it on the grass or gravel to absorb runoff.
✅ Minimize the amount of water you use by attaching a hose nozzle with a trigger.
✅ Choose biodegradable, phosphate-free soaps to reduce pollution.
✅ Do not rinse sponges, buckets and rags onto the ground. Instead rinse them into a bucket and dispose of dirty water into a sink.
A clean car shouldn’t mean dirty water! Let’s keep our rivers and streams safe.
Learn more at: https://www.swmpc.org/water.asp

02/17/2026

Final year of I-94 rebuilding project in resumes this week https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2026/02/16/final-year-of-i-94-rebuilding-project-in-berrien-county-resumes-this-week

01/15/2026

What is a watershed?
It is an area of land that drains surface water to a particular body of water in the landscape such as a river, lake or stream.
How do your actions affect our watershed?
Find out more here: http://canr.msu.edu/news/michigan_watersheds_and_how_our_actions_influence_water_quality

Learn more about our regional watersheds at: www.letskeepitblue.org

Whether you have lived in Michigan most or all of your life or you moved here at some point, take some time to learn about Michigan Watersheds so you can do your part to help steward the Great Lakes for the next generations to enjoy.

01/13/2026

Don't forget to take the survey about Materials Management before it closes at the end of the month!

Residents of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties — help shape the future of waste and recycling in Southwest Michigan!

Take the Materials Management Survey to share your thoughts on recycling, composting, and waste reduction. Your feedback will guide how our communities manage materials for years to come.

🗳️ Take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWMiMaterialsManagement

12/19/2025

Winter weather doesn’t have to mean polluted water. Small choices, like using less salt and applying deicers correctly, can make a big difference in protecting our local streams, rivers, and lakes. Check out these winter tips to reduce polluted runoff while still keeping sidewalks and driveways safe. Learn how smart snow and ice management helps keep our water clean all season long.

Learn more at: www.letskeepitblue.org

12/10/2025

As winter approaches, remember that one teaspoon of salt pollutes up to five gallons of water. 🧂💧

When snow and ice melt, road salt runs into our lakes, streams, and wetlands, where it builds up and harms fish and other aquatic life. Since salt can’t be filtered out naturally, it’s important to use it wisely!

- Shovel snow first before salting.
- Use only 1 cup of salt per square yard — more won’t melt ice faster.
- Apply only where needed.
- Remember, salt doesn’t work below 15°F — use sand for traction.
- Sweep up leftover salt to keep it out of storm drains.
- Protect your pets — salt can burn their paws!

Let’s work together to protect our local waterways this winter. 💙
Learn more at www.letskeepitblue.org