Groundswell Stewardship Initiative

07/29/2026

Summer Institute is in full swing! 🌿📚

On Day 1, educators explored downtown Grand Rapids and crossed three bridges while learning about the ongoing Restore the Rapids project. A project which is helping reconnect the Grand River to its natural state!

On Day 2, participants heard from Ben Walton of the Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE). Through Groundswell’s partnership with MCCE, educators are learning how to incorporate civic engagement and media literacy into their place-based stewardship education (PBSE) projects.

We’re excited to see these ideas inspire meaningful learning experiences across West Michigan!

WestMichigan

07/29/2026

Summer Institute is in full swing! 🌿📚

On Day 1, educators explored downtown Grand Rapids and crossed three bridges while learning about the ongoing Restore the Rapids project, which is helping reconnect the Grand River to its natural state!

On Day 2, participants heard from Ben Walton of the Michigan Center for Civic Education (MCCE). Through Groundswell’s partnership with MCCE, educators are learning how to incorporate civic engagement and media literacy into their place-based stewardship education (PBSE) projects.

We’re excited to see these ideas inspire meaningful learning experiences across West Michigan!

WestMichigan

07/22/2026

Join the Grand Rapids Public Museum as they livestream with a paleontology research team in Paraguay!
The team will be actively researching a field site and providing you, the audience, an opportunity to ask them questions directly.

Don't miss out!

⛏️ Dig deeper into a career in the sciences! On July 25 at 11 a.m., the research team in Paraguay will be streaming LIVE in the GRPM's Meijer Theater.

Learn what fascinating data they're uncovering in Paraguay, discover the skills and mindsets that make for strong research, and get inspired! Keep following along and bring your questions for the team.

Reserve your seat today for free with general admission at https://tickets.grpm.org/events/acd6046e-88c3-5e55-af70-751470a0ccc9

This research is conducted in collaboration with Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales - FACEN - UNA and UNM Honors College

07/08/2026

July is the perfect time to get outside so check out these upcoming partner events happening throughout the month. We hope to see you there! 🌿

•••

AWRI Anniversary Open House
Celebrate the Annis Water Resources Institute’s milestones with a community open house marking 25 years at its Muskegon campus and 40 years with Grand Valley State University. Enjoy interactive educational booths, boat cruises on Muskegon Lake, and more. This family-friendly event is open to all ages.

📅 Saturday, July 11, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Annis Water Resources Institute (Lake Michigan Center)
740 W. Shoreline Dr., Muskegon, MI

•••

🪴 Root It Out! Seidman’s Autumn Olive Challenge
Help remove invasive Autumn Olive at Seidman Park while learning how to identify and manage invasive species. A short workshop will teach volunteers how to identify and control invasive species. No prior experience is necessary. Volunteers of all ages and group sizes are welcome.

📅 Saturday, July 11, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Seidman Park

•••

🌿 Native Plant Education Garden Work Session
Join the monthly garden maintenance work session at the Native Plant Education Garden. Volunteers will help with tasks like plant label placement, weeding, transplanting, watering, seed collection, and potting up extra native plant species to give away.

📅 Tuesday, July 14, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Native Plant Education Garden
920 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

•••

Plainsong Farm Open Hours
Spend a morning exploring Plainsong Farm during its weekly public open hours. Volunteer in the fields, explore the farm with your family, play in the mud kitchen, sample the education garden, create your own bouquet from the U-Pick flower patch, or shop the Farm Stand when produce is available. Stop by the Welcome Shed for a visitor’s guide. All are welcome!

📅 Monday, July 13th—29th, 2026
⏰ Times Vary Based On Day
📍 Plainsong Farm

06/15/2026

What incredible work these teachers accomplished! 🏆
Read the fantastic School News Network article highlighting Groundswell teachers and their awards below. 📄

Several Kent County teachers recently earned awards from the Groundswell Stewardship Initiative.

06/10/2026

LGROW and GVMC are gathering feedback from residents and small businesses in Kent, Ottawa, Ionia, and Montcalm counties to better understand the impact of local climate action and sustainability initiatives!

Your input will help inform ongoing efforts and future planning across the region. Participants who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $50 gift card.

Take the survey today using the link below🔗
https://tinyurl.com/y9wnb4zh

05/29/2026

A huge thank you to one of our incredible funders, the Wege Foundation, for continuing to invest in the next generation of environmental stewards. 💚

Our students remind us that community support helps their ideas grow into real change. When students are empowered, entire communities bloom!

wegefoundation.org

05/27/2026

Such incredible work by both teachers. 🏆 Both are so deserving of recognition, we are so proud to have gotten to spend another year collaborating with them! 💙