Connecting students, communities, and nature

Groundswell's mission is to help improve the experience of teaching and learning through place-based stewardship education.  We do this by providing professional development for educators, financial support for community-based stewardship projects, and connections to community partners who can help create impactful learning experiences.  Groundswell helps schools engage in community-based learning and implement stewardship projects to protect the Great Lakes.

Since 2007, Groundswell Stewardship Initiative has been housed in GVSU's College of Education and Community Innovation. The Groundswell network includes more than 50 community organizations, schools, non-profits, governmental agencies, and local businesses.

History timeline

Groundswell is one of six geographical hubs (networks) of the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (GLSI) in Michigan.


Our Funders

Groundswell is made possible through the support of GVSU's College of Education and Community Innovation; Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative; Wege Foundation; Baldwin Foundation; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Greater West Michigan MiSTEM Network, Great Lakes Fisheries Trust, Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and more.

Grand Valley State University College of Education
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
Wege Foundation
Baldwin Foundation
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
MiSTEM Logo
Independent Bank
Great Lakes Fishery Trust logo, fish with waves
michigan first foundation

Our Partners

Ada Township Parks
Annis Water Resources Institute
Blandford Nature Center
Celebration Cinema
City of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Public Museum
John Ball Zoo
Kent Conservation District
Kent ISD
Land Conservancy of West Michigan
Kent County Department of Public Works Logo
Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds
Plaster Creek Stewards
Regional Math and Science Center
Trout Unlimited
Kent County Department of Public Works Logo
WGVU logo
West Michigan Environmental Action Council
Kent County Department of Public Works Logo
Grow Wise Learning Logo
Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Logo
Kent County Parks and Recreation Logo
Joyful Wildcrafting Logo - Plants and butterfly



Page last modified December 7, 2022