Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s Watershed Educator Training
July 28, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Location: Greenwood Foundation
751 Webb Rd. Wolverine, MI 49799
Cost: Free
Empowering Educators for Watershed Stewardship
This full-day professional development opportunity will help educators connect watershed science, place-based education, and project-based learning to their classrooms while building relationships with local environmental education partners.
While the training will focus on water and watershed topics, the strategies and teaching approaches explored throughout the day can be applied across grade levels and content areas. Educators from all disciplines are welcome.
Coffee, light breakfast items, and lunch will be provided.
Please register early to secure your spot.
Tentative Agenda
8:30-9:00 AM
- Coffee, light breakfast, check-in, and networking
9:00-9:20 AM
- Welcome and introductions
- Overview of the Great Lakes Fishery Trust-funded project supporting this training
9:20-10:00 AM
- Introduction to the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
- Our mission and programs
- Resources and opportunities available to educators
10:00-10:45 AM
- State of the Waters presentation
- Current local water quality issues and trends
- Watershed Council monitoring and protection efforts
10:45-11:00 AM
- Break
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
- Place-Based Education Workshop
- Presented by Rebecca Heckman
- Principles of place-based education
- Connecting local natural resources and community assets to classroom learning
- How organizations like the Watershed Council can support educators
12:00-1:00 PM
- Lunch
1:00-1:45 PM
- Project-Based Learning through Place-Based Education
- Designing meaningful student investigations and stewardship projects
- Examples of successful watershed-focused projects
- Strategies for integrating projects into existing curriculum
1:45-2:45 PM
- Outdoor exploration at Greenwood Foundation
- Guided hike and site-based learning experiences
2:45-3:15 PM
- Project planning time
- Develop ideas for classroom or school-based watershed projects
- Collaborate with fellow educators and Watershed Council staff
3:15-3:30 PM
- Mini-grant overview and wrap-up
- Information on funding opportunities available through the Great Lakes Fishery Trust project
- Guidance on developing and implementing project ideas
- Evaluation and next steps
Who Should Attend?
This training is open to educators of all grade levels and subject areas. While watershed science and environmental topics will be used as examples throughout the day, participants do not need to be science or STEM teachers to benefit from the training.
Place-based and project-based learning can be incorporated into a wide range of subjects, including language arts, social studies, art, mathematics, career and technical education, and more. Any educator interested in connecting learning to local places, community issues, and meaningful student projects is encouraged to attend.
In partnership with:
