Twenty very dedicated – and energetic! – area teachers from four schools spent an event-filled week at the Boardman River Nature Center from June 28-July 2: hiking trails, doing stream and pond sampling, meeting with environmental and other experts, canoeing the Boardman River, sailing on West Bay, and learning about water-associated issues here in northwestern Michigan.
The weeklong Summer Institute was part of the Grand Traverse Stewardship Initiative (GTSI), which is helping teachers work with community partners to develop water-related projects that will enhance watershed knowledge and encourage environmental stewardship among students, while also providing real benefit to the community.
Watch for new and exciting projects at the four schools – Traverse City West Senior High School, Traverse City West Middle School, Central Grade School and Grand Traverse Academy – in the 2010-2011 school year!
Our new GTSI website will also be launched soon, which will provide comprehensive background on the initiative, resources for educators and community partners, water-related events in the area and many ways to get involved.