Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative

06/10/2026

🌎🧤 Making a difference, one piece of trash at a time!

This week, three teachers, one principal, and 69 4th & 5th grade students gathered at Sanborn Township Park for a morning of stewardship and learning.

Before heading out, students learned about marine debris and why keeping our beaches and natural spaces clean matters. When asked why we should pick up trash, one student shared a response that inspired everyone: “For future generations.” 💙

In just about an hour, these amazing students removed more than 900 pieces of litter, totaling approximately 12 pounds of trash from the park!

One of the biggest surprises? At first glance, the area didn’t appear to have much litter at all. By the end of the cleanup, students saw firsthand how small pieces of trash can quickly add up and how much of a difference a dedicated group can make.

A huge thank you to our event partner Great Lakes Great Responsibility for helping NEMIGLSI and Alpena Public Schools Sanborn Elementary make this experience possible.

👏 Great work, students!
Your efforts are most definitely helping to create a cleaner, healthier environment for generations to come.

06/08/2026

📸 Check out these photos of what may soon be a public nature preserve!
Read more to learn how you can help.

Huron Pines is working to permanently protect 41 acres at Potters Point, one of Northeast Michigan’s most ecologically significant and scenic Lake Huron shorelines. Just 15 minutes from downtown Alpena, the property features wooded wetlands, nearly 8,000 feet of undeveloped shoreline, rare wildlife habitat, and stunning views of Misery Bay.

If protected, Potters Point could become a public nature preserve with opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, educational programs, and more. It would also help complete a nearly continuous ring of protected lands around Misery Bay, safeguarding one of the region’s most intact coastal ecosystems for generations to come.

So far, more than $1.1 million has been committed toward the $1.52 million campaign goal. Now, community support is needed to help secure this special place before the end of summer.

Learn more and donate at huronpines.org.

06/05/2026

Earlier this spring, Rogers City elementary students brought a vision to the City Council: a permanent beach cleanup station that would help protect Lake Huron and encourage stewardship of the shoreline. Their idea was approved, and last week the community gathered for a special “twine-cutting” ceremony to celebrate its completion.

While beach cleanups have been a regular part of school activities for years, this project was inspired by a desire to make a bigger impact that went beyond the students. The new station provides cleanup supplies for anyone who wants to help and serves as a reminder to enjoy nature while leaving no trace.

Adding a personal touch, students also decorated the station’s accompanying trash can with their own creative artwork.

The station was put to work immediately during the celebration, with volunteers collecting 641 pieces of trash! That data will contribute to the goal of removing 1 million pieces of trash from the Great Lakes Watershed through the Great Lakes Great Responsibility initiative.

This project was first envisioned by students who are now 7th graders at Rogers City Middle School and was completed with the help of current 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. NEMIGLSI is honored to have been one of the supporters along the way, working with the students and teachers in our Marine Debris cohort.

A huge thank you to the students, teachers, volunteers, and community partners who helped make this project possible. Together, we're making it easier for everyone to help protect Lake Huron and keep our shoreline beautiful for future generations. 💙♻️

06/03/2026

We are seeking candidates for a part to full-time Place-Based Stewardship Education Specialist. This role will provide teacher support and coaching to schools across the region.

If you are interested to learn more about this opportunity, review the full job description at the link below. ​Applications will be accepted through June 15, 2026.

https://www.nemiglsi.org/employment

06/02/2026

🌎✨ Making a difference, one piece at a time!

Sixth grade students in Mrs. Hartmeyer’s 3rd and 4th hour science classes at Thunder Bay Junior High recently teamed up for a campus cleanup as part of a collaboration between Great Lakes Great Responsibility and Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.

Their efforts made a big impact:
🗑️ 1,057 pieces of litter collected
⚖️ 20 pounds of trash removed from campus

Students carefully tallied and weighed their findings to contribute to Great Lakes Great Responsibility’s goal of removing one million pieces of trash from the Great Lakes watershed. Among the items collected were cigarette butts, food wrappers, miscellaneous plastic debris, and even one lost NeeDoh toy!

We are proud of these students for taking action to protect their school grounds and our marine community. Their effort demonstrates the power of coming together and building stewardship.

05/29/2026

Collaborative stewardship in action!
Last week, NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary partnered with Huron Pines and the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative to bring Wilson Elementary third graders out to the North Point Nature Preserve for a day of place-based education.

From studying maritime history and constructing model shipwrecks out of natural beach debris, to identifying the federally threatened Pitcher’s thistle on a nature hike, these students fully immersed themselves in Great Lakes ecology and history. They also put stewardship into practice by removing marine debris and learning Leave No Trace principles.

We wrapped up a phenomenal day of outdoor learning with a traditional campfire and s'mores. Thank you to our partners and the educators who make these impactful field experiences possible! 🌲🔥

05/28/2026

Michigan’s own Kirtland's warbler is one of North America’s rarest songbirds, and a powerful conservation success story. Once near extinction, it is now recovering thanks to protection of young jack pine forest that the warbler uses for breeding grounds and public awareness efforts.

The Michigan DNR is offering FREE guided tours on May 30 and June 13 to learn more about the species, its habitat, and ongoing conservation work. Additional tours are also available through Michigan Audubon. Great opportunity for educators, bird lovers, and nature enthusiasts!

Learn more about the Michigan Audubon dates: https://www.michiganaudubon.org/kirtlands-warbler-tours/

Learn more about the DNR tours: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/417ce46

Kirtland’s Warbler Tours Michigan Audubon, in collaboration with Hartwick Pines State Park, offers Kirtland’s Warbler Tours from May 23 through June 30, 2026. Registration now open! Register for a Kirtland's Warbler Tour About the Kirtland’s Warbler

05/28/2026

For eight years, Meag Schwartz has served as the Network Coordinator for the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, helping guide the organization’s growth, strengthen partnerships across the region, and support countless place-based education opportunities for students and educators. During her time with NEMIGLSI, Meag has become known for her passion for environmental stewardship, collaborative leadership, and commitment to connecting communities with meaningful Great Lakes learning experiences.

Now, Meag will be transitioning into a new role as Executive Director of Great Lakes Great Responsibility (GLGR), the marine debris prevention organization she founded in 2020. Through GLGR, Meag has helped lead cleanup efforts, environmental education, and community engagement initiatives focused on protecting the Great Lakes from plastic pollution and marine debris. While her presence at NEMIGLSI will be deeply missed, we are excited to see her continue expanding this important work across the region and beyond. Meag will also remain closely connected to the network by continuing to serve as a Leadership Team member and supporting place-based stewardship education (PBSE) efforts in a new capacity as a valued community partner.

At the same time, we are thrilled to welcome Savannah Graf into the Network Coordinator role. Savannah has spent years building her experience as PBSE specialist, working closely with educators, students, and community partners to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences rooted in local environments and stewardship. Her background, enthusiasm, and dedication to environmental education make her a wonderful fit for this position, and we are excited to see her continue strengthening and growing the NEMIGLSI network. Congratulations, Savannah, on stepping into this exciting new chapter!

05/26/2026

Big news out of Posen Schools! 🎉

Stephanie Dege Goebel, a high school science teacher who has been in the NEMIGLSI network for about eight years, has been selected as one of just a handful of educators to receive the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators!

Her students are tackling real-world environmental challenges through hands-on Great Lakes stewardship projects that are making a difference right here in northeast Michigan. Congratulations on this incredible national honor!

Read more here: https://www.epa.gov/education/presidential-innovation-award-environmental-educators-piaee-winners

Check out some of these great photos and case study sheets that highlight previous place-based education products.

05/22/2026

Join the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative for a new Educator Fellowship Showcase on May 28 from 4:30–6 PM via Zoom! 🎉

Hear from educators across Michigan sharing inspiring place-based learning projects, classroom experiences, and community partnerships from GLSI’s year-long Educator Fellowship program.

Free to attend and open to educators & community partners!

More information: https://greatlakesstewardship.org/mipbe_teacher_fellowship/