Red Cedar River Stewardship and Recreation

Roughly 3 miles of the Red Cedar River flow through Michigan State University's campus, providing habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife, offering a special space for the Spartan community to relax and recreate, and serving as a living laboratory for education and research. Michigan State University partners are working together to protect and promote this precious resource through 5 key areas:

• RIVER STEWARDSHIP AND RESTORATION

  Riverbank restoration

  • MSU Landscape Services has an ongoing riverbank restoration project to reduce erosion. The first phase was completed in 2021 along the south bank of the river between the Sparty statue to the Library Bridge. The second phase is planned for 2025 north of Spartan Stadium.
  • Beal Garden is also working to restore the riverbank along the north side of the river by the garden. The garden has installed barriers to reduce foot traffic along the river bank and is also creating habitat for endangered bats and birds by leaving dead trees standing when safe.

  River clean ups
  

  • MSU partners host a number of river clean up events each year, including the long-running clean up by the MSU Fisheries and Wildlife Club. Infrastructure Planning and Facilities began hosting bi-annual cleanups starting in 2024.

  Protecting biodiversity

  • MSU partners have improved buffer zones along the river with native plantings and new pollinator gardens.
  • Beal Garden and IPF Landscape Services are leading efforts to remove invasive species on campus. An invasive species layer has been added to the MSU Campus Tree Map. Beal Garden is offering trainings and conducting extensive invasive species monitoring along the river bank. IPF Landscape Services has drafted an invasive species policy for their unit.
  • The Michigan Natural Features Inventory provides information and locational data on rare species occurrences throughout Michigan, including the Red Cedar watershed.
• EXPLORING ENHANCED RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RIVER
  • MSU continues to explore opportunities for Spartans and community members to enjoy all that the Red Cedar River has to offer. The river served as a key focal point of the recently adopted Vision 2050: An Integrated Facilities and Land Use Plan for the Michigan State University Campus. The plan calls for interconnected natural areas, holistic water management, and landscape practices that promote resilience and reduce flooding impacts.
  • In May 2024, MSU installed a new seasonal kayak/canoe launch near Jenison Field House. MSU has also completed the installation of over 40 hammock poles encouraging the Spartan community to relax by the river while protecting trees on campus.
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION
  • MSU-Water educates the public about water resource protection, including managing the Red Cedar River Watershed, promoting water stewardship practices that individuals can practice in their daily lives, and offering a stormwater walking tour.
  • MSU partners offer tours and guided walks each year to community groups and K-12 educational programs focusing on the Red Cedar River and water resource protection.
  • MSU Extension provides a variety of educational resources and programs that promote water resource protection, including the Lake and Stream Leaders Institute and Conservation Stewards Program.
• USING THE RIVER AS A LIVING LAB FOR TEACHING AND RESEARCH
  • MSU faculty across the university enhance the student learning experience by using the the Red Cedar River as a living laboratory. Students are able to take courses where the river becomes their classroom as they learn about topics such as macroinvertebrate and habitat assessment, watershed planning, electrofishing, and conservation planning and adaptive management.
• MINIMIZING NATURAL HAZARDS AND BOLSTERING RESILIENCE THROUGH PLANNING
  • MSU maintains a Stormwater Management Program to protect water quality of the Red Cedar River. This includes:
    
    • Routine outfall sampling to detect illicit discharges
    • Implementing public education and outreach programs
    • Managing construction sites to minimize runoff
    • Incorporating stormwater design standards into new development projects
    • Implementing good housekeeping and pollution prevention measures across our campus operations. 
  • In addition, MSU engages in flood monitoring and emergency planning for the Red Cedar River.

---

Get Involved

---

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How can I protect the Red Cedar River?

  Follow these actions to be Spartan green and keep our river clean.

  

• Where can I fish on the Red Cedar River on MSU's campus?
  Per University Ordinance 37.01 Guidelines and Fishing Boundaries: Only fish in the area designated along the north bank of the Red Cedar River west of the Kalamazoo Street bridge and to the southwest corner of the Brody Residence Hall Complex.
• Where can I report spills or illegal dumping that occur of MSU's campus?
  See something that’s not right in the river or riverbank? Call 517-355-0153 or email: ehs@msu.edu.

RESOURCES

• MSU-Water
• Red Cedar River History Storymap
• MSU Campus Tree Map
• Beal Botanical Garden River Restoration
• Campus Natural Areas
• MSU Integrated Facilities and Land Use Plan

MSU EXTENSION PROGRAMS

• Lake and Stream Leaders Institute
• Conservation Stewards Program
• Water School

RELEVANT MSU ORDINANCES

• University Ordinance 11.00 Boating
• University Ordinance 37.01 Guidelines and Fishing Boundaries

MSU COMMITTEES THAT ADDRESS THE RED CEDAR RIVER

• Red Cedar River Stewardship & Recreation Committee
• MSU Stormwater Committee
• Campus Landscape Stewardship Committee
• Campus Natural Areas Classroom, Curriculum and Conservation Committee

ARCHIVED PROJECTS AND REPORTS

• Red Cedar River Restoration Phase I Overview (MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, 2019)
• Freshwater Mussel Surveys of Great Lakes Tributary Rivers in Michigan (Michigan Natural Features Inventory, 2003)