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Beaver Island Association - Blight Remediation Program

Last year, with support from an Environment & Land Use grant from C3F, the Beaver Island Association’s no-cost Blight Remediation Program delivered measurable and visible results for Beaver Island’s environment and community. Notably, this group of passionate volunteers, led by Craig Peirano and Vic Van Deventer, successfully removed and transported 101 abandoned or disabled vehicles, plus about 3.5 tons of scrap metal, from Beaver Island to a mainland scrapyard, ensuring responsible recycling of salvageable materials and reducing long-standing risks to soil and groundwater. Craig shared, “One of our proudest moments came with the removal of the 100th vehicle, which we transformed into a community celebration and learning opportunity—inviting island parents and children to decorate the vehicle while engaging them in hands-on discussions about Beaver Island’s groundwater, how our drinking water reaches our homes, and why protecting these fragile resources matters.” Their dedicated YouTube channel, “The Craig & Vic Show,” unexpectedly became a powerful outreach tool, using humor and real-world problem solving to highlight both the challenges and successes of blight removal while inspiring donations and community pride. For more info, and to watch these amazing volunteers in action, check out their Facebook page at The Craig and Vic Show!