the fruits of our labor

the organization with which i serve my americorps term strives to build the environmental stewards of tomorrow, by supporting community based education projects. with money, yes, but also with professional development opportunities and general support. helping make connections and plan projects. helping implement those projects and make them the best they can be.

a few years ago as this organization was just on the brink of starting, the first project was born. high school environmental science students were brought to a local undeveloped state park. seven miles of lake huron shoreline, with nothing more than a parking lot, hiking trails, and a few back country campsites. with help from the dnr and other resource professionals, those students learned a great deal about the park, from its varying ecosystems to the artesian well on the property. as the class debated what would come next, it was decided they would create informational signs to be posted around the park, boasting to its visitors what makes the park so special, and educating those people on the wonders of nature they might see during their visit.

today, it all came together. with a new class of students, we dug the holes, mixed the concrete, made sure they were level, and permanently placed those displays in the ground. after the hard work and a little lunch, we took a short hike to teach this new group of students a little about the park, and give them some ideas of new projects for them to make their own.

a perfect example of community based education.
learn more at www.nemiglsi.org