Engage

Engaging students in high quality place-based education and environmental service-learning projects.

Connect

Connecting schools with communities by forging partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

Educate

​Providing sustained professional learning in the areas of place-based education, service-learning and environmental stewardship.

West Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative

The West Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative is a collaborative effort between the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District and various other community agencies in the West Michigan Area.  The Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative is a unique model that uses place-based education to connect schools with their communities to create learning experiences for students that have lasting impacts on the environment. Through regional hubs, teachers receive professional development to better facilitate inquiry-based learning and problem solving. Collaboration between schools and communities provides students with the opportunity to address local environmental issues. The resulting vibrant, hands-on learning experiences are designed to increase student achievement and help young Michigan residents become lifelong advocates for the Great Lakes.  

Impact

Awarded $215,000+ in grant funds to 48 local schools to support PBE projects in their communities

More than 19,000 students have participated in PBE projects in their communities
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More than 120 teachers have attended professional learning and fielded PBE projects with students
During the 2020-2021 school year, 1,000+ students engaged in 14 place-based stewardship projects throughout their communities.

HELP US CONNECT CLASSROOMS TO COMMUNITIES

Together, we can expand our work to more schools and communities who desperately need it.
​Will you join us today to change the face of education and help protect our natural resources in West Michigan?

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