Our Mission
Understand, protect and improve the natural resources of the Lower Grand River Watershed for all to enjoy.
Our Vision
Connect water with life.
Our Values and Commitments that Guide our Work, Decisions and Behavior
We will have an organization that is financially sound and structurally prepared.
We will collaborate with and support MS4 communities, sub-watershed groups, community organizations, and local watershed stakeholders.
We will build awareness and capacities that foster equitable outcomes.
We will welcome participation and leadership from all people from all communities, including those that have been traditionally underserved or under-resourced.
We will coordinate communication and education programs by and for all people.
We will employ a sustainable, resilient approach to watershed opportunities.
We will be adaptive, responsive, creative, and ethical.
We will evaluate our progress and share our successes.
We will develop and support watershed research and educational efforts.
Land Acknowledgment
We want to acknowledge the People of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples on whose land we live and work. The Three Fires People are indigenous to this land. We recognize the sovereignty of Michigan’s Indigenous nations and historic communities – both those who live here now and those who were forcibly removed from their Homelands. We want to express gratitude and appreciation to the Indigenous peoples across this continent who have been living and caring for this land from time immemorial, who are still here and will always continue to be present in this place. We make this land acknowledgment as an important first step. We know that we need to always engage in the important work of social justice by taking continual steps to learn, honor Indigenous individuals and groups, and honor the land where we do our work.
What LGROW Does:
LGROW brings together local municipalities and community stakeholders in a unique format to address issues facing the Lower Grand River and its watersheds. LGROW promotes community education and sustainable use of our river resource. LGROW works with communities to coordinate their NPDES stormwater permits, and the Organization also works locally with grants. LGROW is committed to making the watershed an ongoing resource for all of us.
LGROW Supports the Grand River Watershed by:
Increasing appreciation of the Grand River and its tributaries
Educating communities about what they can do to improve the quality of the river
Helping local watershed groups increase their effectiveness at a lower cost
Building collaborations that help local watershed groups increase their funding opportunities
Improving the ability of local watershed groups to market themselves
Engineering a central repository for watershed data and information
Providing a forum for sustainability issues of social equity, environmental action, and financial responsibility
2023 Annual Report
History
2000
Members of GVMC who were going to be regulated under the new NPDES Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits formed a coalition to comply with the permits using a watershed approach.
2003
When the permits were issued, GVMC secured a grant to develop the Lower Grand River Watershed Management Plan to prioritize best management practices and critical areas in which to apply those practices.
2009
The Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW) was officially formed to provide basin-wide oversight, implement Watershed-wide initiatives, and prioritize water quality concerns.
2011
The Watershed Management Plan was updated and approved.
2014
LGROW's Strategic Plan was completed.
2016
Completed LGROW’s Guiding Principles.
2019
Logic Model for the LGROW 2019–2021 Strategic Plan was completed.
2020
Guiding Principles for LGROW was updated
2022
Logic Model for the LGROW 2022–2024 Strategic Plan was completed.
2024
Logic Model for the LGROW 2025-2028 Strategic Plan was completed.