Project Description:
A retention pond at the corner of Leonard and Beltline approximately one mile from the school needs renewal. It receives runoff from the two streets and parking lots adjacent to it. The rain from roofs of buildings surrounding the pond drain directly into it and the lawn around it is fertilized, creating additional problems of runoff into the pond. This pond is located in the Plaster Creek watershed. Students are doing water quality checks, researching strategies to clean the pond and implementing appropriate strategies which include planting and cleaning. Students are also creating instructional materials for the class the following year as they begin their Groundswell work.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students clearly have a greater sense of efficacy in being environmental stewards. Students have already begun to apply what they learned to their own home areas by discussing how to put more native plants on their properties and how to have their parents use more sustainable lawn care.

Partners:
Kent Conservation District, Ada Township Parks

Teachers:
5

Students:
125

Funder:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnO5FK86reo

Project Description:
Like the last two years, students visited the retention pond on the corner of Leonard and the Beltline and identified problems there. They researched watersheds and runoff and specifically the pond area. They looked at water quality and researched interventions to clean the water and land around it. Learning from workshops, research materials, and expert guests to explore the extent of the problem, students developed strategies to reduce the pollution. They purchased and planted native plants along the shore as a strategy to help clean the soil and water as it runs off into the pond. The teachers participated in hosting a “Green Tour” of the pond site for community members and building management. Finally, students developed measurement criteria/standards to determine the success of their selected strategies, and they provided copy for signage that was created to educate the public about the project. Students expanded upon this work by identifying a project on our own property. The students completed a needs assessment and would like for future groups to create a bioswale.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students have realized they can make an impact on real world problems at any age. They already are exhibiting behaviors of stewardship and feeling good about their work. These attitudes and behaviors are likely to continue into the future.

Partners:
Kent Conservation District, Ada Township Parks, Plaster Creek Stewards

Teachers:
4

Students:
125

Funder:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_prwL4g_jQ

Project Description:
Students learned about quality water, did some water testing on campus, and in the spring went on the WG Jackson to test water in both Lake Muskegon and Lake Michigan.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
They are able to understand that many components influence our water quality and that it is our responsibility to help ensure that our streams, rivers, and lakes are healthy.

Partners:
GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute

Teachers:
1

Students:
27

Funder:
GVSU College of Education

Project Description: 

Patrick's students have been working to implement a native plant garden and conduct campus stewardship since 2019. Students used the information they learned about native plants, best practices for design, our space at Northern Trails, and watershed maintenance to create a rain garden that could be implemented on our campus. Teams of 4-5 students brainstormed together to create a map of their design, taking into consideration, color scheme, general visual appeal, added extras and user friendliness. Each group was then judged by an outside panel of judges. Many wonderful designs were created and all students came away from this project more knowledgeable than when they began. One winning design was chosen; the winning design was formalized by an engineer with Plaster Creek Stewards, and the official engineering design was submitted, reviewed, and approved by EGLE. Native plants were ordered, and students worked to plant the rain garden on campus in early spring of 2022.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:

Students will be better equipped to answer what nonpoint source pollution is and how it affects our natural resources. They will be able to suggest best practices that can help control or restrict pollution. Students will also gain an understanding of how a rain garden helps support our wetlands, waterways etc.

Partners:

Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, Plaster Creek Stewards, Michigan Department of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Teachers:

Klara Patrick, 5th Grade, Math & Science

Students:

15

Funder:

Michigan Department of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Environmental Protection Agency

Showcase Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uicKW06OwE&list=PLV2DqaYFEsPwEUUHkVf4EWeARMMgZa9NL&index=26