Middle school students from across the Western Upper Peninsula gathered at Michigan Tech’s Memorial Union Building on Wednesday, October 21, for the Wonders of the Watershed Summit. Hosted by the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative (LSSI), this interactive event brought local students together with regional partners to explore the vital role of watershed health.
Hands-On Science and Local Conservation
Throughout the day, students rotated through dynamic learning stations led by local experts and community organizers. The interactive sessions gave participants a comprehensive look at local aquatic ecosystems and conservation practices through:
- Interactive Science: Hands-on floodplain modeling and biological stream assessments.
- Ecosystem Dynamics: Exploring the importance of native plant species and microscopy.
- Community & Culture: Engaging in supply chain role-plays, discussions on legacy pollution, and environmental art projects.
Regional Partnerships in Action
The summit highlighted the depth of regional collaboration required to support Great Lakes stewardship. Interactive sessions were facilitated by a broad coalition of community partners, including representatives from Bessemer Area Schools, the Keweenaw Community Forestry Company, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources Department, the Keweenaw Land Trust, the Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition, Keweenaw Time Traveler, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan Nature Association, Michigan Sea Grant, Rabbit Island, Wild Ones (Keweenaw Chapter), and the Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region office (WUPPDR).
Funding for the event was provided by the Michigan chapter of The Nature Conservancy, with additional support from the Copper Country Intermediate School District and the Great Lakes Research Center.
About the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative
LSSI unites schools and communities in the stewardship of the Lake Superior watershed, empowering youth to become knowledgeable citizens actively engaged in local action projects. A partnership between the Copper Country Intermediate School District and the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Tech, LSSI fosters deep community connections across the region.
Located on Michigan Tech’s campus in Houghton, Michigan, the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) leads in interdisciplinary research excellence. Situated in a 55,000-square-foot waterfront facility opened in 2012, the GLRC is a dynamic part of Michigan Tech’s landscape as an R1 public research university. Home to five specialized research centers, the GLRC drives innovation across water, land, climate, and community systems.