PETOSKEY, MI -- The Great Lakes State is made great by the abundance of water we have surrounding us.

We constantly hear of the importance of keeping the water clean.

One company has pledged to help protect the water.

"This was not our idea, this has been in the works for many, many years, and really we're just there as a catalyst to get it started," said David Mengebier, CMS Land Company President, and Petoskey native.

Mengebier says as the end is near for environmental efforts at Bay Harbor and East Park, the company wants to remain a part of the community, and help protect and maintain the bay.

“Our company is taking a lead role in this fund and it makes me real happy and proud," said Mengebier.

CMS Land announced they've committed $250,000 to establish the Little Traverse Bay Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund.  This money will be used for the Little Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan that has been set in place by local agencies and organizations, like Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.

“Preparing for future with this donation is proactive spending and I just love proactive spending and so I think it's wonderful donation to start this watershed program," said Ken Harrington, Chairman of the LTBB-Odawa Indians.

"It’s a great day, this is a really good move, really positive for Little Traverse Bay," said Tip of the Mitt Director Gail Gruenwald.

The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Community Foundation will receive the $250,000 grant from CMS Land this year, and if they can match that money from private donations and other fundraising techniques, CMS Land will donate $250,000 again next year.

Their plan has 200 recommendations, ranging from restoring shorelines to removing invasive species, that the money will go toward.

The fund has been established at the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Community Foundation, and all decisions of how to use the money will be made at a local level.