WATERshed Program

01/16/2026

This week, the WATERshed Program was honored to be a presenter at the annual Girls Inc. GEMS (Girls Empowered by Math and Science) Conference at UW-Parkside! Over 500 8th grade girls from Racine Unified School District explored STEM careers through hands-on learning and real world connections. Our Workshop focused on coastal erosion along the shores of Lake Michigan, and how coastal engineers help protect our local coastline from future erosion. We believe "STEM Girls Will Save the World!" 🌏🧬🔬🧫🧪

We are so grateful for the support from Fund for Lake Michigan, Racine Community Foundation, SC Johnson, A Family Company, Potpourri Garden Club. Their support helps bring programming to our shared Lake Michigan community 💧

10/03/2025

This week the Watershed program welcomed RUSD Racine Unified Schools 4th grade students to our new location at Island Park in Racine! Island Park Racine Wis City of Racine, Wisconsin Government Through hands-on activities, students explore the Root River while developing a greater understanding about stormwater runoff, water quality issues, invasive species, erosion coastal engineering and the value of having healthy rivers and lakes in their own community. Over 1,300 RUSD 4th grade students will visit us this month!

We are incredibly grateful to Fund for Lake Michigan, Racine Community Foundation and SC Johnson, A Family Company for their grant funding to make this program possible.

10/15/2024

Young coastal engineers explain how their structure design helps protect Lake Michigan's shoreline from erosion.
Thank you to Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, Racine Community Foundation, SC Johnson, A Family Company, and We Energies for the grants that make these local programs possible!

10/13/2024

Thank you to the The Journal Times for visiting the WATERshed Program with Schulte 4th graders from Racine Unified Schools!

On a sunny Thursday morning, 56 fourth grade Schulte Elementary students spent time learning about their natural environment and the importance of taking care of it.

09/27/2024

We are having a fantastic time with Racine Unified Schools 4th grade students and teachers! Students are having fun exploring the Root River at the REC (Root River Environmental Education Community Center) in Racine. During their two-hour field trip, participants are exposed to water quality, run-off pollution, coastal erosion and the concepts of coastal engineering in their own community.
With the generous support from our funders we anticipate serving approximately 2,000 students during the 2024/2025 school year. Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, FairWays Foundation, Racine Community Foundation, SC Johnson, A Family Company, We Energies

06/21/2024

The WATERshed Program just wrapped up the 2023/2024 school year with record breaking numbers of students served! This year 3,020 students across Southeast Wisconsin participated in Great Lakes education where students developed personal connections to their local natural resources. These watershed experiences are made possible from support of volunteers, community partners and grant funding. Thank you for a very successful year! We all had so much fun! Fund for Lake Michigan Racine Community Foundation SC Johnson, A Family Company Sierra Club Southeast Gateway Group Potpourri Garden Club WI, Southport Park Association, UW-Parkside College of Natural and Health Sciences, Racine Unified Schools, Kenosha Unified School District, University of Wisconsin-Madison, REC (Root River Environmental Education Community

04/25/2024

Thank you to Parkside for hosting a wonderful event for the Students of Bose Elementary School and Sommers Elementary school to learn about environmental science topics in an engaging and hands on environment! This year we provided a lesson on Nature's Decomposers! We couldn't have provided this valuable learning opportunity without the support of Seno K/RLT Conservancy UW-Parkside College of Natural and Health Sciences and Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network. Keep an eye out for more exciting news coming soon!