Inland Seas Education Association

06/06/2026

The ultimate Northern Michigan bucket list item? Sailing a tall ship on the big water. ✅⛵

Step on board and see the Great Lakes from a whole new perspective. This is what Northern Michigan summers are all about!

☀️Summer is short—make it unforgettable. Grab your family and book your next adventure with us. 🌊

🎟️ Buy tickets at schoolship.org.

06/05/2026

What a fabulous last week of Spring Schoolship! ⛵️ We had an amazing time watching these students step up as scientists, sailors, and stewards of the Great Lakes.

A huge thank you to the incredible schools who joined us this week: Kingsley Area Schools, Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor, Benzie Central SEEDS, Central Elementary, Mesick Consolidated Schools, and Eastern Elementary School - TCAPS.

We can’t wait to see everyone back out on the water for Fall Schoolship! In the meantime, don't forget to join us for our public sails this summer. ☀️

06/04/2026

Ever wanted to steer a tall ship? Now’s your chance! ⚓✨

Our Public Sails are starting up in two weeks! Join us aboard the schooner Inland Seas or Alliance to explore the beauty and science of the Great Lakes. Help us raise the sails, examine lake life up close, or just sit back and enjoy the breeze.

Fun for all ages, but spots are limited! We'll be in Suttons Bay, Escanaba, Houghton, and Hessel, so make sure to get your tickets now!

🎟️ Book your tickets now at schoolship.org/public-and-family-programs

06/03/2026

Otter Trawl salad? Yummy! 🥗🐟

On each Schoolship program, we deploy a 10-minute Otter Trawl. While we normally catch fish, we also bring up plenty of aquatic plants. Inside this delicious "salad," we often find fascinating benthic macroinvertebrates—from quagga mussels to crayfish, we've seen it all!

While these aquatic plants usually elicit an excited "Ewwwww!" from students on board, they are a vital part of the Great Lakes ecosystem. As you can tell from First Mate Kevin's face, our crew loves examining everything that comes up in the net!

Want to check out some trawl salad for yourself? Come out on a public sail this summer! ⛵

🎟️ Get your tickets at schoolship.org

06/02/2026

It takes many hands to make everything we do at Inland Seas possible! 🙌

Volunteers truly are the heart of our mission. From helping out in the office to crew training and teaching during our Schoolship programs, nothing would be possible without them.

Want to join our amazing volunteer team? Learn more and sign up today at schoolship.org/volunteer. ⛵

Can't volunteer right now but still want to help us inspire Great Lakes curiosity, stewardship, and passion? Consider making a donation! Every dollar helps get students out on the water, erasing financial barriers for these life-changing experiences. Donate today at schoolship.org! 🌊

06/01/2026

We are incredibly honored and excited to be part of Grand Traverse Distillery's Non-Profit Single Barrel Series! 🌊🥃

Their upcoming Suttons Bay tasting room is launching a highly limited, 4.5-year-aged Bourbon, and a portion of the proceeds from every single bottle sold goes directly to supporting our mission here at Inland Seas. Cheers to protecting our Great Lakes, one smooth sip at a time!

Read the full details below to see what makes this unique blue and white corn mash bill so special, and make sure to grab a bottle as soon as their doors open! 👇

The next release in our Non-Profit Single Barrel Series is officially bottled and waiting for you at our upcoming Suttons Bay tasting room! 🌊

This unique Bourbon was aged for 4.5 years and features a slightly different mash bill than our signature blends. Crafted from 60% blue and white corn, 30% Hazlet rye, and 10% malted barley, it brings a completely different flavor profile to the glass. The blue and white corn introduce distinct notes of wildflower honey and caramel, balanced perfectly by the sweet, nutty, and creamy finish of the Hazlet rye.

Sitting at a smooth 106.5 proof, it’s a beautifully light, easy sipper made for summer days on the peninsula. ☀️

Best of all? A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold goes directly to Inland Seas Education Association to support their mission of inspiring Great Lakes curiosity and stewardship through hands-on science.

These bottles are highly limited and will be available for tastings and purchase as soon as our doors open in Suttons Bay. Make sure to grab yours before it’s gone! 🥃

06/01/2026

Ready for a hands-on educational adventure? Look no further! 🌊

When students join us on board, they discover exactly how they fit into the larger Great Lakes watershed. From studying water quality and microplastics to discovering native plankton, our students step into a world bigger than themselves.

Do you want your students to have this unforgettable experience? Book a fall schoolship now! ⛵ Learn more and book here: https://schoolship.org/school-programs/

Want to give any student the chance to experience the Great Lakes? For just $20, you can sponsor a student's journey of a lifetime. Donate to ISEA today! 💙 Donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/inland-seas-education-association/inland-seas-spring-2026

05/30/2026

A round of applause for all of the exceptional students who joined us on the water and on shore this week! 👏👏

A huge thank you to our incredible visiting schools: Silver Lake Elementary School (TCAPS), Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Central Grade School - TCAPS, The Pathfinder School, Frankfort Elberta Area Schools, Elk Rapids Schools, Mill Creek Academy, Wylie Elementary School, Old Mission Peninsula School, St. Martha School-Okemos, Traverse City Central High School - TCAPS, Emerson School, Kingsley Area Schools, and Willisamston High School MSA.

⚓ Want to get your students out on the Schoolship? Sign up for our fall programming today!

👉 Learn more and register at schoolship.org.

05/29/2026

World-Class Show Jumping + Great Lakes Protection! 🐎🏆🌊

Looking for the perfect summer Saturday plans? Join ISEA on June 20th at 2:00 PM for an unforgettable afternoon at the beautiful Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, MI!

We are thrilled to be a featured partner in the Traverse City Horse Shows Charity Ticket Program. You’ll get to witness the thrilling $116,500 Molon Excavating CSI3 Grand Prix*, all while supporting our mission to protect the Great Lakes through hands-on education.

To ensure your ticket purchase supports ISEA, you must buy them through our official tracking link.

👉 Purchase Your Tickets Here: https://app.gopassage.com/venues/8654?referral=isea

Can't make it on June 20th? No worries! Our referral link stays active all season long, so any general admission tickets you buy for other weeks using our link will still generate support for ISEA.

Gather your family, friends, and fellow Great Lakes enthusiasts for one of Northern Michigan’s best summer traditions. We can’t wait to see you there! 👋🐴

05/28/2026

⛵️ Haul away! We are in the full swing of Schoolship season right now!

Our incredible educators and crew have been out on the water, helping students become true stewards of the Great Lakes. From testing water quality and sampling for microplastics to learning how to work together to raise massive sails, these students are making memories that will last a lifetime. 🌊📝

Jealous of the students? You don't have to be! Our public sails in Suttons Bay kick off next month. Join us in June, July, and August to step aboard, enjoy the gorgeous views, and learn about the Great Lakes-- no homework required! 🎟️✨

Want to help more kids experience the magic? 💙 Every donation helps us ensure that local students can experience our nationally recognized educational programming, regardless of financial barriers. Give the experience of a lifetime today at schoolship.org.