Education
We strive to educate the community about watershed ecology, and to develop a growing group of people who understand the strengths, needs, and problems affecting the Plaster Creek watershed. We seek to equip people to take action to restore their watershed. Ways we do this include:
- Presentations on watersheds, history and issues in the Plaster Creek Watershed, and things people can do to improve water quality in Plaster Creek
- Spring and fall events, which include a presentation on Plaster Creek and opportunities to participate in on-the-ground restoration work
- School events that include education in the classroom and hands-on-restoration work in the greenhouse, schoolyard, or nearby location
- Newsletters twice a year that update followers present new information as it is learned
- Resources for more learning about this and other watersheds
- Teach FASTly: Faith and Science Activities for your classroom made by teachers for teachers (Watershed Ecology and Neighbors)
- Growing Native Plants in the Classroom
- Reconciliation Ecology: A New Paradigm for Advancing Creation Care
- Reconciliation Ecology: A Christian Pedagogy of Place
- Early History of Kee-No-Shay
- Potomac Watershed Institute: online activities for watershed learning
- Find My Watershed map tool
- Datawise Evaluation of Plaster Creek Stewards
Spring 2022
- Evaluating Which Native Species Are Best to Include in Green Infrastructure Projects
- Ken-O-Sha: Working for Reconciliation in a West Michigan Watershed
Spring 2021
- Trees to Heal the Plaster Creek Watershed
Fall 2019
- Dwelling: our watershed in image and word
Spring 2019
- The Buzz about Watershed Restoration: helping streams helping insects
Fall 2018
- Fixing the Banks: Future investment with native plant currency
Spring 2018
- Navigating the New Normal: Watershed Restoration in an Age of Climate Change
- Climate Opinions of Michigan 3rd District
- Climate Change Under Business as Usual vs. Paris Agreement for Michigan 3rd District
Fall 2017
Spring 2017
Fall 2016
Summer 2016
Spring 2016
Fall 2015
Summer 2015
Spring 2015
Fall 2014
Spring 2014
Fall 2013
Summer 2013
Spring 2013
Fall 2012
Spring 2012
Fall 2011
Spring 2011
Fall 2010
Other topics of interest
- Profile of a Human-dominated Watershed
- Introduction to Plaster Creek Watershed Restoration Initiative
- Loving Our Downstream Neighbor
- Environmental Justice and Plaster Creek
- Reconciliation Ecology
Groundswell Teacher Professional Development Days
Periodically we update our community on topics in and around our work in the watershed. This page is an archive of past e-newsletters. Get your copy hot off the internet (save the trees) by signing up for our mailing list.
Project GreenER
Project GreenER is a free, eight-session adult educational program intended to foster understanding of and build agency for watershed care. Hosted by Plaster Creek Stewards, this program equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to implement creek- and climate-friendly projects within their communities. Meeting twice monthly, participants explore Plaster Creek as a historical and present place, learn watershed ecology within the context of climate resilience, build practical and community connection skills, and be eligible to receive funding to plan and implement green projects in their own neighborhoods.
Who can participate?
Any adults (18+) who are connected in some way to the Plaster Creek watershed – such as living, working, attending worship, or recreating in the area.
You're qualified!
Yes! No prior knowledge or education is necessary to participate in this program. If you are interested in learning more about Plaster Creek, your watershed neighbors, and how to improve local environmental health through community-based action, then this opportunity may be a good fit for you.
What’s required of participants?
Commitment to regular attendance of the sessions and seeing the project work through to completion.
Timeline
Learning sessions will be scheduled out over 4 months, every other week, typically on weekday evenings. The first half hour of each meeting will be dedicated to building community over a meal. Participants will also be invited to attend extra hands-on experiences outside of normal meeting times, as opportunities arise and participants’ schedules allow. Additional assignments between classes will be offered, as well, to deepen engagement and allow participants to follow their own curiosities.
Logistics
Cost
There is currently no charge for this program. However, if participants would like to contribute to the project fund, those contributions (in addition to grant funding available) will be divided equally among all participants at the program's end to support their projects. The projects might include things like rain gardens, landscaping with native plants, planting trees, hosting educational events, or other activities that interest participants.
Transportation assistance
If transportation assistance is required, please communicate with leadership to receive bus passes for transportation to and from sessions.
Meeting locations
We intend for this program to be an in-person experience since so much of our ecological restoration work and community engagement efforts are place-based and hands-on. Meetings will be held at one or both of the following locations: