Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative

09/03/2026

NEMIGLSI is excited to announce the addition of Jenny Poli as the new Place-Based Stewardship Education Specialist! Jenny brings an impressive, 32-year career as an educator, with 26 years as a high school science teacher, and the last five years as a science instructional coach at Alpena Public Schools.

Jenny has a strong background in place-based and problem-based projects and is particularly passionate about helping teachers connect these engaging projects directly to core curriculum standards. Her experience in the school system is invaluable.

Please help us welcome Jenny!

PS - she is photographed here with husband Todd and daughter Laura.

09/01/2026

NEMIGLSI was grateful to be part of this event, and to have Michigan Works Northeast Consortium's ongoing support to bring the EcoCareers Expo to life for northeast Michigan 8th grade students.

What is the expo: basically, a job fair to explore careers related to Michigan natural resources - it's awesome, eye-opening, and a VERY FUN day!

We are planning our 3rd annual EcoCareers Expo for October 21, in Alpena, from 9:30am to 1:30pm. If you are interested in being an exhibitor, take action now with this registration form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeUS3iGQm-J8b2rhTqvCNsJSQZ1vTnN-v6fgH_3S4uu4bcEPQ/viewform

08/28/2026

Fall registration is open for Nature Awaits, a Michigan DNR education initiative giving fourth grade classrooms the chance to explore a state park on a free, curriculum-aligned field trip. 🌿

Educators can choose from 30 state parks, with transportation costs for public schools reimbursed up to $1,000. Fall trips run September through November.

Learn more and register: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/educators/nature-awaits?

08/25/2026

The Michigan Science Teacher Association has partnered with the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) to identify teachers who are passionate about environmental education and in need of financial assistance. This grant is designed to provide funding for a K-12 science teacher to execute a clean water project within their curriculum focused on vital water environment issues.

If you have a project idea that needs support, this is your opportunity to secure the resources needed to bring it to life!

Don't miss out on this chance to secure funding for your classroom and elevate your impact on clean water education. We encourage you to apply today or share this exciting opportunity with a colleague!

Completed applications must be received by MSTA by October 30, 2026.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.msta-mich.org/Dan-Wolz-Grant

08/07/2026

Looking for funding to get your students outdoors? 🌿

The Michigan Nature Association's Field Trip Mini-Grant program is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 school year!

K–12 teachers can apply for grants of up to $500 to help cover transportation and educational supplies for place-based, outdoor learning experiences at eligible natural areas, including nature sanctuaries, state parks, nature centers, and other conservation lands.

📅 Application deadlines:
• Fall field trips: September 13
• Spring field trips: December 11

Learn more and apply here: https://www.michigannature.org/menus/apply-for-a-grant.html.

08/06/2026

In their words....

We wanted to share some anonymous answers from our Summer Institute post-survey. The feedback always helps us course correct where needed, spark new ideas, and know what really works.

Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative doesn't just promote place-based stewardship education (PBSE), we actively help teachers carry it out with trainings like this. We are also a bridge to many community partners that can help scale and contribute to a classroom/community project.

If you're an educator and you want some PBSE in your life, let's get connected. Join our newsletter list for updates and opportunities. We also suggest SAVING THE DATE right now for our annual networking meeting: Tuesday, February 23, 2027.

Join the mailing list: https://NEMIGLSI.org

07/30/2026

Grab your waders—it’s time to head into the stream! 🌊🥾

Last week, educators spent three days immersed in place-based stewardship education (PBSE), discovering hands-on experiences they can take back to their classrooms. These clips capture just one hour of the learning as teachers collected aquatic species from a local stream using a seine net. This is an experience their students can have this fall through PBSE!

At Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, we believe learning happens best when it’s experienced. It’s hands in the dirt, feet in the water, and hearts in the community. We help educators move beyond the textbook, creating meaningful learning experiences that connect students to the places they call home and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

If you’re an educator or know someone who is, we’d love to have you as part of our network and take advantage of the resources and professional learning we provide. To join our network visit our website and subscribe to our newsletter it’s that easy!

And if you believe every student deserves opportunities like these, please keep NEMIGLSI in mind when you give. Our work is made possible through grants and donations that help bring these experiences to more classrooms across Northeast Michigan.

Learn more at http://www.NEMIGLSI.org

07/27/2026

Craving some creative, outdoor time?
Check out this event from our partners Huron Pines!

Experience the beauty of North Point Nature Preserve through art during this guided watercolor workshop. Local artist, Laura Stockwell, will provide watercolor instruction before you settle in to create your own artwork inspired by the surrounding landscape.

07/24/2026

We’re still riding the wave of an incredible 2026 Summer Institute!

Over three days, 17 educators — some traveling from as far as Jackson and Sault Ste. Marie — immersed themselves in place-based stewardship education with a focus on Great Lakes fisheries.

From pulling on waders and stepping into the role of students to collecting field data with real scientific tools, participants experienced the kind of hands-on learning they want to bring back to their classrooms.

They also learned from experts representing Michigan Sea Grant and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, gaining new knowledge, classroom resources, and fresh ideas to inspire the next generation of Great Lakes stewards. Just as valuable were the connections made along the way. Bringing passionate educators together creates opportunities to share ideas, celebrate successes, troubleshoot challenges, and build a network that extends far beyond these three days.

A huge thank you to our partners who made this year’s Summer Institute possible, including the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Michigan Sea Grant, and MSU Extension District 4.

Here’s to another year of empowering educators and inspiring stewardship across the Great Lakes!

07/24/2026

📣 Educators: Take a moment to check out this free professional learning opportunity!

Watershed Educator Training
🗓️ July 28, 2026 | 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
📍 Greenwood Foundation | Wolverine, MI

Learn practical strategies for incorporating watershed science, place-based education, and project-based learning into your classroom. Open to educators of all grade levels and subject areas. Breakfast, lunch, and coffee are included!

Learn more and register:

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council invites teachers of students (grades 3-12) to participate in a two-day Watershed Educator Training workshop.