Groundswell Stewardship Initiative

Groundswell Stewardship Initiative Connecting students, communities, and nature. Place-based education is an interdisciplinary approach that connects learning to the community you live in.

Groundswell supports educators who want their students to engage in community-based learning, implement stewardship projects, and spend more time in the outdoors. We support giving students voice and choice in learning about and protecting Michigan’s natural resources, native ecosystems, the Grand River and the Great Lakes watersheds. We provide free professional development for educators, fundin

g for stewardship action projects, connections with community partners and other educators, and individualized support based on each school’s goals and interests. Groundswell is housed in the College of Education and Community Innovation at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Groundswell network includes more than 50 local organizations, non-profits, government agencies, schools, colleges and businesses.

We are looking forward to our annual Student Project Showcase next week!What you'll see:* Student exhibits 🧪* Stewardshi...
05/06/2026

We are looking forward to our annual Student Project Showcase next week!

What you'll see:

* Student exhibits 🧪
* Stewardship project results 🌱
* Interactive activities 🎯
* Student raffle 🎟️
* And more ✨

Get the full details on our website 🌐

Imagine the impact if 50 households had a rain barrel 🌎💧 That’s thousands of gallons of stormwater kept out of our river...
04/28/2026

Imagine the impact if 50 households had a rain barrel 🌎💧 That’s thousands of gallons of stormwater kept out of our rivers and lakes after just one rainfall. Rain barrels capture rooftop runoff, reducing pollutants like fertilizer, pesticides and animal waste from entering waterways while also helping prevent erosion and flooding.

Plus, you get a sustainable source of “soft” water for your garden—cutting down on municipal water use.

Check the link in our bio or visit our pinned post to get yours today!

https://rainbarrel.ca/groundswell/

Teachers, join your peers for a summer workshop experience like no other! Michigan Center for Civic Education has design...
04/24/2026

Teachers, join your peers for a summer workshop experience like no other! Michigan Center for Civic Education has designed a professional development focused on civil rights, the concept of personhood, and structured, student-centered dialogue. Don't just each civics and history, be where it happened! 🏛️

🗺️ Who should apply:

• In-service teachers
• Pre-service educators in GVSU Education Programs
• GVSU Faculty within GVSU - College of Education and Community Innovation

The program includes a 9-day summer institute, beginning with a kickoff dinner in Lansing, followed by travel as a group down to Alabama by bus 🚌

After this summer experience, participants will have the opportunity to join a long-term fellowship throughout the 2026-2027 school year.

📥 Apply now: https://tinyurl.com/2s3a2h2y

04/23/2026

What you do at home matters more than you think 🌎💧
Simple choices, like capturing rainwater, help keep pollutants out of local rivers and lakes while protecting the spaces right in your own community.

Check the link in our bio or visit our pinned post to get yours today!

https://rainbarrel.ca/groundswell/

When the heat hits, your rain barrel steps in 💧☀️Give your plants a steady, natural source of water while cutting back o...
04/21/2026

When the heat hits, your rain barrel steps in 💧☀️

Give your plants a steady, natural source of water while cutting back on your water bill. It’s a simple way to stay ahead of the summer sun and keep everything green and growing.

Check the link in our bio or visit our pinned post to grab yours today!

https://rainbarrel.ca/groundswell/

📅 We are one month away!Join us on May 13 for the Groundswell Student Project Showcase in Downtown Grand Rapids! 🎉Come c...
04/17/2026

📅 We are one month away!

Join us on May 13 for the Groundswell Student Project Showcase in Downtown Grand Rapids! 🎉

Come celebrate a year of student learning, creativity, and community impact. This open-house event features student poster presentations and hands-on activities. Our community network as well as students' families and friends are all welcome.

🕔 5:00 - 6:30 PM
📍 DeVos Building, GVSU City Campus
💲 Free to attend

Head to our website to RSVP—we’d love to see you there! 👏

Thinking about getting a rain barrel? Here’s your sign! From lowering your water bill to keeping your plants healthier a...
04/16/2026

Thinking about getting a rain barrel? Here’s your sign! From lowering your water bill to keeping your plants healthier and reducing runoff, the benefits add up fast. It’s a small change that makes a big impact on your garden and the planet. 🌱✨

Visit our pinned post, check the link in our bio or below to get yours today!

https://rainbarrel.ca/groundswell/

Join the wild side of science 🌿📸From April 24–27, West Michigan is teaming up with over 700 cities around the world for ...
04/16/2026

Join the wild side of science 🌿📸

From April 24–27, West Michigan is teaming up with over 700 cities around the world for the City Nature Challenge. A global bio-blitz where every observation counts. Spot a bird, snap a photo of a flower, or document wildlife in your neighborhood via iNaturalist.org
Help real scientists track biodiversity right here in our community! This year's challenge is done in collaboration with John Ball Zoo 🐾

Ready to turn your nature walk into real impact? Then visit the link to learn how today!

Teacher info: https://tinyurl.com/2wh6nx73

🔗: https://jbzoo.org/events/bioblitz/

You’ll use it more than you think💧 From watering your garden to washing tools, freshening up your lawn, and even filling...
04/14/2026

You’ll use it more than you think💧 From watering your garden to washing tools, freshening up your lawn, and even filling a bird bath—rain barrel water does it all. One simple switch, endless ways to put nature to work. 🌱

Visit our pinned post, check the link in our bio or below to get yours today!

https://rainbarrel.ca/groundswell/

Grand Rapids Public Schools - this one is for you! This is a FREE week-long chemistry and biochemistry summer day camp w...
04/10/2026

Grand Rapids Public Schools - this one is for you!

This is a FREE week-long chemistry and biochemistry summer day camp where high school students (incoming 9th-12th graders) will:

⚗️ Conduct experiments
📈 Engage in real-world problem-solving
🔬 Use university-grade lab equipment
⚛ Talk to field experts

And more! Led by GVSU Chemistry department faculty, this amazing workshop culminates in student presentations to professors during a poster session. Sign up at the link below.

https://www.gvsu.edu/camps/view.htm?campId=369C5E68-F903-2DDF-56E3E12E6B7CDCC3

GVSU Chemistry Stockroom GVSU Regional Math and Science Center

Address

Grand Valley State University, 401 W Fulton St
Grand Rapids, MI
49504

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16163316804

Website

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