Are you and an interdisciplinary team of educators at your school interested in enhancing climate change education for your students? We invite you to partner with us on a participatory action research project dedicated to strengthening climate change education at your school.

We are seeking a Michigan public high school to join a one-year Professional Learning Community (PLC) for the 2026-2027 school year. As participants, you’ll collaborate with researchers from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability to design, refine, and implement locally relevant, interdisciplinary, and standards-aligned climate change curriculum.

To learn more about the program, please review our informational flyer or contact Tim Muhich at tmuhich@umich.edu.

MI Green Schools Category 4: Miscellaneous, Activity 4. Observing earth day by participating in an earth day event in April

As Earth Day approaches, many people want to do something meaningful, but it is not always clear where to start. Supporting educators is one powerful way to create lasting impact.

SubjectToClimate created an Earth Day Teacher Guide to make climate learning accessible, practical, and easy to use in classrooms, no matter a teacher’s background or comfort level with climate topics. When teachers have simple, high-quality tools, students benefit from engaging, hopeful learning experiences.

Want to learn more about the Michigan Climate Education Hub? Reach out to Bridget Booth, Michigan State Lead, at bridget.booth@subjecttoclimate.org. 

In-person Training - Spring 2026 4-H Outdoor Education Workshop
Camp Newaygo | 5333 S. Centerline Rd., Newaygo, MI 49337

April 25-26, 2026

Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on April 9, 2026

Join 4-H and Camp Newaygo staff for this exciting Professional Development Opportunity at beautiful Camp Newaygo, participants can choose from two learning tracks:

1. Head, Heart, Hands, Health, and...HABITATS! - Get ready to get kids outdoors! Become a certified Project Wild Educator and explore other outdoor education curricula available for your use in formal and nonformal education settings. You'll be a hit at your next event with the tools and tricks you gain from this session. Whether you need to pull that perfect outdoor activity from your back pocket at a moment's notice or you're planning a full week of programming, this session will prepare you with over 80 activities and lessons designed to engage kids in nature. All participants will receive their own copy of the Project Wild curriculum book and other resources.

2. Teaching the Basics of the Backcountry - Get ready to get your hands dirty! Join us for a "Sharpen Your Skills" style workshop where we cover teaching backcountry skills. From the fundamentals of map and compass use to the essential crafts of fire-building, shelter building, and campfire cooking. We'll focus on how to teach these skills to youth while respecting the land through Leave No Trace principles.

There will also be opportunities for whole group learning throughout the weekend and for participants of both courses to share ideas and practice skills. While this is a 4-H workshop, you do not need to be a 4-H volunteer to attend.

Cost: $150.00 - includes lodging, meals, and materials.

Lodging includes dormitory style lodging. Meals included are Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday. Breakfast is served on Sunday with the workshop ending by noon.

For information, contact Joe Kreider, Extension Educator, at kreider4@msu.edu or 231-258-3320.

Register Here!

Four Michigan schools reduce waste and forever chemicals in food service while saving money!

Corresponding MI Green Schools Category and Activity: Reduce/Reuse/Recycle - Waste-free lunch program

We ReUSE is helping Michigan schools implement reusable foodware programs. This opportunity is supported by a partnership with Plastic Free Restaurants and the State of Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Circular Economy Grant.

Click here to read the case studies.

Free assistance is available to help Michigan schools apply for a subsidy, reducing costs by 50-80%.

Interested in learning more? Contact Connie at Connie@wewillreuse.com.

Watch the webinar recording

View the speaker slides

Join the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for a virtual webinar to kick off the 2025-2026 MI Green Schools year.  Get inspired through presentations that highlight MI Green Schools activities, partners, and students.

This webinar is geared towards Michigan public and private school students, teachers, staff, and administrators interested in learning how their school can achieve environmental stewardship designation. Local and regional community partners are also encouraged to view the webinar to gain insights on how they can support schools in this journey.

Please reach out to Sam Lichtenwald at LichtenwaldS@Michigan.gov for any questions.