Investing in Tomorrow's Watershed Stewards
The Watershed Council hopes to serve 15 high schools throughout Northern Michigan in 2023-2024 through support from members like you. Student projects will be carefully aligned with community priorities identified in their local watershed management plan. This alignment will ensure students learn about water quality challenges that exist right in their community.
In 2015, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council created the Watershed Academy. This program engages high school science students and provides them an opportunity to become experts in their local watershed. The initial program included five schools. The program has now grown to 15 high schools in the following cities:
Alanson
Beaver Island
Bellaire
Boyne City
Boyne Falls
Charlevoix
East Jordan
Elk Rapids
Harbor Springs
Mackinaw City
Onaway
Pellston
Wolverine
Petoskey
Inland Lakes
The Watershed Academy has already proven to be a great opportunity for high school students to learn about their local watershed and assume leadership roles in their community through volunteering time, knowledge, and skills. The program has also inspired students in choosing a career path and as they prepare to attend college. The Watershed Academy also engages other local resource partners, including Little Traverse Conservancy, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Natural Resources Department, University of Michigan Biological Station, Friends of the Jordan River, and Friends of the Boyne River.
Students learn about:
- Their watershed
- Nonpoint source pollution
- Water chemistry basics
- Macroinvertebrates
- Water quality monitoring
Current support for the Watershed Academy comes from:
- Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation
- Ian and Sally Bund
- Ham Schirmer
- Lake Charlevoix Association
- Kiwanis Club of Charlevoix
- Rotary Club of Charlevoix
- Great Lakes Fisheries Trust
- Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
The Watershed Academy is a youth education program designed and administered by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and coordinated by Eli Baker, Education Manager.
| Title | Link |
|---|---|
| 2022 Watershed Academy Brochure |
