Project Description: Students called all necessary officials and then created signage
to educate the public about water quality issues in an attempt to
lessen the pollution of the Grand River. In addition, students learned
about buffer zones and common runoff pollutants around the Grand
River. Students collected and identified soil types and other
vegetation in the flood plain in order to identify appropriate plants
for improving water quality. Native grasses will be planted in the
area to act as filters/impediments to deter the flow of run off to the
river way.
Students also worked to make graduation more green. They used
recycled graduation gowns, educated the community, looked for carbon
neutral graduation announcements, invitations and diplomas, and chose
products for a more sustainable graduation celebration. Students
calculated the carbon footprint of graduation and offset that by
planting trees in Grand Rapids area parks.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students know how to engage local government to accomplish
environmental goals.
Partners: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, Wildtype Plants,
Greener Grads
Teachers: 4
Students: 120
Funder: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Project Description: Stormwater basins in the Creston Heights neighborhood were
cleaned and labeled with placards informing the public NOT to dump as
the final discharge point is the Grand River. Students also planted a
buffer zone along the Grand River within Riverside park. The buffer
zone will decrease pollution from runoff – the park hosts a large
population of geese and is frequented by dog walkers.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: As students become part of the movement to better their
community, they inspire one another, hold each other accountable and
open their eyes to what can be, not just what is. Initiatives like
Groundswell help foster a commitment to the community and the environment.
Partners: Wild Type Native Plant Nursery, Tender Lawn Care, City of Grand Rapids
Teachers: 4
Students: 90
Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
Project Description: Students continued to learn about common stormwater and nonpoint
source pollutants impacting the Grand River Watershed. They first
collected and identified soil types and water samples and learned
appropriate vegetation for use in the floodplain and as runoff
management. They then planted native plants to supplement and expand a
native garden in Riverside Park. This was a continuation of a
Groundswell project students started the previous year. Students
planted appropriate native vegetation to act as filters/impediments to
collect and treat storm water runoff before it enters the Grand River.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students took pride in seeing a neighborhood project through to completion.
Partners: Wild Type Native Plant Nursery; David Marquardt, City of Grand
Rapids Parks and Recreation Director; Rebecca Marquardt, Landscape
Architect/Consultant; Yerkes Design; Wege Foundation
Teachers: 4
Students: 109
Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
Project Description: Students continued to learn about common stormwater and runoff
pollutants impacting the Grand River Watershed. Classes collected and
identified soil types and water samples and learned appropriate
vegetation for use in the floodplain and as runoff management.
Students then planted native vegetation designed to intercept the
runoff behind the Center for Economicology.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students now appreciate the role native vegetation plays in
reducing nonpoint source pollution. They also learned how to navigate
the permit-issuing process.
Partners: Wild Type Native Plant Nursery; David Marquardt, City of Grand
Rapids Parks and Recreation Director; Rebecca Marquardt, Landscape
Architect/Consultant; Yerkes Design; Wege Foundation
Project Description: We continued adding native plants along the Grand River in
Riverside Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan in order to reduce nonpoint
source pollution (specifically bird and dog excrement and
fertilizers), provide bank stabilization to reduce erosion, and expand
areas for pollinators and habitat for all native species. This built
on four years of work in this area and included an extension of the
existing area, out toward the trail. We also placed signage that
informs the public of the importance of the work and its participants.
It will serve a dual purpose of providing a barrier to foot and
vehicle traffic, thereby reducing degradation of the planted area.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: The process of planning, implementing, and observing the
long-term effects of native plantings will surely provide a basis for
continued environmental care throughout students' lives.
Partners: City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, Wild Type Plant
Nursery, City High/Middle PTSA
7th grade did a water unit and ended with a fish kill project where
they did the following:
-anlyzed and used data to creat and argument for what caused their
fish kill
-analyze different mitigation measure for their individual fish kill.
-present finding
-participate in planting riparian buffer
11th grade worked in interdisciplinary groups to do the following:
-collect data at three different locations within the watershed
-Analyze data and create an argument for what is the greatest impact
humans are having on the watershed
-create a mitigation strategy
-participate in planting riparian buffer.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students feel a sense of ownership having a large riparian buffer
that they have taken part in planting. Students at both grade levels
gain a much better understanding of our individual and collective
impacts on the watershed.
Partners:
Plaster Creek Stewards, H2OQ, City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
