Gladwin Conservation District

05/28/2026

Come say hi to us at Odyssey Middle/High School from 4-6pm tonight!

Address: 3441 S Wise Rd, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

05/28/2026

The final results for the 2nd Annual River Race of Two Cities are in! Congratulations to everyone who joined us and completed the 12.5 mile canoe/kayak marathon on the Cedar River!

This event was about more than just crossing the finish line. Our community came together to support Gladwin County organizations and businesses, promote outdoor recreation, and highlight the ongoing efforts to protect and enhance our natural environment.

Thank you to all of the participants, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who helped make this year’s race such a success. We’re proud of what we accomplished together and look forward to seeing everyone back on the river next year!

P.S. Photos Coming Soon

05/27/2026

We had a wonderful time at this year’s Conservation Tour!! Cheers to the next generation of conservationists!! See you next year!🌱🌿

05/26/2026

Come see us at the Odyssey Nature & Wellness Extravaganza in Mt. Pleasant from 4-6pm on May 28! This event is hosted by the Odyssey Middle/High School. Will we see you there?

05/22/2026

Another year of hard work on the Cedar River! Over the past few weeks, we’ve spent a lot of time on this beautiful river preparing it for the Gladwin County River Race of Two Cities - an annual canoe marathon beginning at Gladwin City Park in Gladwin and ending at Ross Lake Park in Beaverton.

This year, we spent roughly 22 hours opening woody obstruction blockades to allow racers and recreational users to enjoy this amazing resource. What’s especially exciting is that this year’s time commitment was significantly less than in years past. It’s encouraging to see the long-term work on the river continuing to make a real difference.

For the district, it all began with a vision inspired by community feedback expressing a strong desire to once again enjoy the Cedar River and everything it has to offer. According to local historian Bob Frei, the flood of 1989 was the last time the Cedar River was truly open for navigation before decades of woody obstructions gradually made travel increasingly difficult. Since 2019, the district has led ongoing woody obstruction and navigation improvement efforts through grant funding, millage support, and continued annual maintenance, with additional support and cooperation from local landowners, businesses, volunteers, and fellow river users along the way.

Throughout this process, we quickly learned that opening the Cedar River one year doesn’t guarantee the same conditions the next! But with each season, the work has become more manageable - though still extremely challenging at times.

As the vision of a navigable Cedar River became reality, a new vision followed: creating a community event that celebrates the natural resources of Gladwin County, connects people who share a passion for the Cedar River, and links the two main cities of Gladwin County - Gladwin and Beaverton - while supporting local businesses and showcasing Michigan’s backyard.

And so, the Gladwin County River Race of Two Cities was born.

We’re excited to celebrate with everyone tonight and tomorrow and look forward to another successful year. As always, we’re grateful for the opportunity to serve this community.

For those unable to attend this year, we wish you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend as we also take time to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy today.

05/21/2026

A big thank you to Crave Coffeehouse who is partnering with us for the River Race of Two Cities, you guys are amazing! Our community is what makes all of this possible, so shout out to each and every one of you. Be sure to stop by their shop located at 343 W Cedar Ave in Gladwin, MI!

We are excited to celebrate with everyone and we hope to see you this weekend! ☕️🚣‍♀️🌊

We’re excited to partner with the Gladwin Conservation District for this weekend’s River Race of Two Cities!

Friday & Saturday, we’ll be donating $1 from every Cold Brew based drink sold at Crave to support their efforts and this amazing community.

Whether you’re racing down the river, cheering on participants, enjoying the festivities, or simply stopping by for your favorite cold brew, every sip helps support a greater cause right here in our community.

Come grab a drink, enjoy the weekend fun, and help us give back while doing it! 💙

05/20/2026

📅3 days to go until it's officially race day!

🌊🚣‍♀️Tomorrow is also the last day to sign up for the River Race of Two Cities. Register by 11am tomorrow (May 21st) to secure your spot and compete in the 12.5 mile Canoe/Kayak Marathon!🚣🌊

Registration Link: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Gladwin/GladwinCountyRiverRaceOfTwoCities

Boy Scout Troop 779 will also be hosting a pancake breakfast at Gladwin City Park on Saturday starting at 8am which will run while supplies last. They will also be having a can drive during that time - so if you have cans bring 'em on down and they'll be happy to take them off your hands!

05/19/2026

With only 4 days to go, the River Race of Two Cities Canoe/Kayak Marathon is almost here!

This 12.5 mile marathon begins at Gladwin City Park and ends at Ross Lake Park in Beaverton. There will be festivities at both the start and finish on Saturday and is open and free to all!

If you have some more time on your hands, wander on down to the Beaverton Farmers Market next door and check out some of the local vendors.

If you would like to sign up for the race, there is still time. Register by May 21st at 11am to secure your spot.

Registration Link: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Gladwin/GladwinCountyRiverRaceOfTwoCities

05/18/2026

5 days to go until it's officially River Race day! We are so excited to hold this event for a 2nd year and to see people enjoy Gladwin County's natural resources and recreational opportunities!

There is still time to sign up. The last day to register as a competitor is May 21st at 11am. Follow the provided link to secure your spot.

Sign Up Here 👉https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Gladwin/GladwinCountyRiverRaceOfTwoCities

Direct any questions to [email protected] or call the office at (989)-256-3147.