Project Description: The theme of the project is “How native plants can help with
runoff in an urban environment.” Students focused on how watersheds in
Grand Rapids directly affect the students. TRIO Upward Bound students
at Central and Union High Schools continued maintaining a native plant
garden at Cook Arts Center by weeding the garden at the start of
spring. Students have consistently assessed the garden to see what
plants have came back after the winter and fall months and have added
new native plants during this school year. Students have studied the
local watershed and runoff and have developed a better understanding
of how native plants reduce runoff. Water samples have been compared
at urban and rural sites.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students better understand the role watersheds play in their
lives and what actions they can undertake to reduce runoff.
Partners: WMEAC, Cook Arts Center
Teachers: 2
Students: 65
Funder: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Project Description: The students created and developed watershed educational
materials that included bookmarks, handouts, and postcards written for
third graders to provide quick information about stormwater and
watersheds. These materials were created in both English and Spanish.
The students presented to third-graders at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
School. They educated the students on what a watershed is and where
their local watershed could be found.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: This project engaged students in civic and community activities
that have the potential to create lifelong advocates for the Great
Lakes. Students can now educate others on watersheds, rather than
simply providing volunteer hours.
Partners: City of Grand Rapids, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School
Project Description: GVSU TRIO Upward Bound students attending Innovation Central High
School partnered with LGROW to donate and install a dog waste station
at Baldwin St. Park in Grand Rapids, MI. Students walked the
neighborhood to notify, teach, and distribute pledge cards with
leashes and dog waste bags to neighborhood residents who own dogs.
During these door-to-door interactions, students also shared the
impact dog waste has on stormwater and encouraged dog-owning residents
to use the dog waste station.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students are more conscious of pet waste in their community and
how to actively inform and encourage those around them to use proper disposal.
Partners: LGROW
Teachers: 2
Students: 7
Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
