Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund Fulfills Mission in Important Michigan Watershed

Healthy watersheds are vital for a healthy community, providing water for drinking, irrigation, industry, recreation and maintaining wildlife.

Nestlé Waters North America established the Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund (IMESF) in 2002, with the start of operations at Ice Mountain, to support efforts and programs to protect the mighty Muskegon River watershed, one of the largest in Michigan. The fund is aimed at improving water quality, restoring natural wildlife habitat and restoring critical wetlands, streams and water bodies associated with the watershed. The Ice Mountain water bottling operation – located several miles from the Muskegon River just south of Big Rapids, Michigan – is located within the watershed.

The endowment fund, seeded with $500,000 from Ice Mountain, is managed locally by the Fremont Area Community Foundation and governed by a community advisory committee. Funds are invested to provide perpetual giving to organizations whose efforts benefit the watershed. Since its inception, the IMESF has granted more than $116,000 to area conservation organizations for projects like the Cedar Creek Habitat Restoration Project.

Ice Mountain Environmental Stewardship Fund Brochure