Following the successful development of a Watershed Management Plan for Portage and Arcadia Creeks, of which the Axtell Creek Watershed is a part, a grant was awarded by the MDEQ to the City of Kalamazoo. The city directed funds to the Kalamazoo Nature Center to construct a rain garden to treat stormwater that discharged to Axtell Creek. A diverse Steering Committee had been formed for the Watershed Management Planning project. Therefore, strong partnerships were already established to facilitate the project. Partners include:

• Kalamazoo Nature Center
• Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts
• Kalamazoo WildOnes
• City of Kalamazoo
• Kieser & Associates
• Michigan Department of Environmental Quality