2026 Earth Day Poster Contest

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) invites Kindergarten – 5th Grade students to create an original poster for the Earth Day 2026 Poster Contest!

Contest Rules

Poster submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on March 16. 

Questions? Contact Pam Howd (EGLE) at 517-282-8357 or EGLE-EarthDay@Michigan.gov.

Submit Posters Here!

2026 Environmental Service Award

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is accepting nominations for the EGLE Environmental Service Award.

This prestigious award honors two outstanding environmental projects:

Eligible projects demonstrate tangible results and benefits to Michigan’s environment, such as protecting the Great Lakes, restoring ecosystems, improving air or water quality, or conserving energy and resources. Projects must also include an educational component that increases awareness around environmental issues facing Michigan. Projects may be completed by an individual student, a school class or club, or an extracurricular group (such as Scouts or 4-H), between March 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.

Nominations should focus on one specific project that has been completed by the nominee(s). While we celebrate the many environmental efforts happening across Michigan, this award is intended to recognize a single, well-documented project that demonstrates environmental service and impact.

Award nominations must be submitted online by March 15, 2026, 11:59PM EST.

Two nominations will receive a cash prize of $500 and certificate of achievement, one for a middle school project (grades 6–8) and one for a high school project (grades 9-12). Award winners will be notified in early April of 2026. The winning projects will be highlighted on the EGLE Classroom Earth Day webpage and will be honored at the MI Student Sustainability Summit on May 8, 2026 - recipients are encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions, please email Samantha Lichtenwald at LichtenwaldS@Michigan.gov.

Submit Your Nomination!

In-Person Trainings - Project Learning Tree at the Michigan Science Teacher Association (MSTA) Conference
Kalamazoo, Michigan

March 5-7, 2026

• Seeds of Wellness Workshop

This session is specially designed to bring forward wellness themed activities across the popular curricular resources from Project Learning Tree, Project WILD and Project WET. Whether you are new to the Projects or have had the books on your shelf - join us to get (re)invigorated through a wellness lens!

This session will take place from 9a.m.-12p.m. on Friday, March 6 of the 2026 MSTA conference. Attendees need to be registered for MSTA to participate.

• Trees and Me - Early Childhood Workshop

Trees & Me contains hundreds of ideas for fun, easy-to-do, hands-on experiences to connect young children to nature, with a focus on trees and forests. Through both outdoor and indoor activities, children explore nature through their senses, experience trees throughout all four seasons, and connect with their community. This is a great curriculum for early elementary teachers! The guide includes hands-on science activities, songs, crafts, snacks and much more. Through this workshop you will become a certified Trees & Me educator!

Cost: $16 for the book, payable online

Registration Deadline EXTENDED: Friday, February 13, 2026

Register Today!

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!

Save the Date! In-person Training - Project Learning Tree K-8 and Project WILD K-12 Combo Workshop
DNR Outdoor Adventure Center | 1801 Atwater St, Detroit 48207

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Interested? Contact Natalie Cypher at CypherN@michigan.gov or Sabrina Deschamps at Sabrina.Deschamps@metroparks.com.

Check out the Michigan PLT Professional Development page to see all upcoming workshops.

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.

In-person Training - Project FISH: Fishing Instructor Workshop
Room 152 Natural Resources 480 Wilson Rd. East Lansing MI 48824

March 3rd and 4th, 2026 from 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m.

Registration Deadline is February 24, 2026

Michigan State University’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife invites teachers, educators and volunteers to 2 days of “Place Based Learning through Sportfishing and Aquatic Resource Education”. This workshop is open to anyone, even those who may want to learn a bit more about fishing to be able to volunteer for local fishing events or even teach your own family!

This workshop is a partnership with MSU Extension, MSU 4-H Youth Development, Department of Natural Resources, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, schools, and community service organizations and many others to educate young people about our natural resources through FISHING.

This is a workshop based on the Project FISH philosophy of hands on, multiple contact sportfishing and aquatic resource education. We will offer activities in Aquatic Ecology, Tackle Crafting, People and Fish Management and actual Angling Skills. Participants will leave with curriculum activities, equipment, even a fishing rod & reel, and access to supplies and resources to begin a successful fishing program/club with children in the classroom or in an after-school setting. The workshop is partially funded through donors to Project F.I.S.H. (lunch will be provided)

Visit the Project F.I.S.H. website for more information or contact Mark Stephens with any questions at 517-432-2700 or steph143@msu.edu.

Register Today!

Virtual Webinar - Green Chemistry in Action: Bridging Industry and Education for Real-World Impact

Thursday, February 19th, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Educators and partners are invited to join Dow experts for a virtual conversation on sustainability, with a special focus on green chemistry, its applications in the workforce, and learning opportunities for K-12+ students.

Featured Dow Speakers

Visit the Sustainability Teacher Fellowship website for more information!

Register Here!

The annual MI Green Schools application period is open now through March 8, 2026!

Start Your Journey

• Explore the requirements for certification
• Plan your application using the draft application
• Submit your application through the online form

Application Support 

Before diving into the online portal, make a copy of the draft application. It includes helpful instructions and troubleshooting tips to guide you through the process. Since the online portal doesn’t have a save feature, planning your responses in advance is key. The draft is also a great tool for collaboration when you share it with others who helped complete activities at your school. Plus, you can reuse it year after year to track your progress and build on past efforts! 

In addition to the tips included on the draft application, check out these other resources: 

• Frequently Asked Questions 
• For questions about your school’s application, contact your local County Coordinator 
• For programming questions, contact the Statewide Coordinator, Samantha Lichtenwald, by emailing EGLE-MI-Green-Schools@Michigan.gov  
• For technical issues, contact EGLE’s GIS Services Unit by emailing EGLE-Maps@Michigan.gov  

Reminders 

• Application Deadline: Applications are due March 8, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EST. Late submissions cannot be accepted due to the tight turnaround needed for reviewing, approving, and preparing awards materials for Earth Day celebrations. 

• Annual Certification Required: MI Green Schools certification is annual. Schools must apply each year to maintain their certified status. 

• Include Current School Year Activities: Applications should reflect activities completed during the 2025-2026 school year. You may include activities planned for March-June, but only if they are well-planned and confirmed, not just ideas. 

• Be Responsive to County Coordinators: Your County Coordinator may reach out for clarification or suggested changes to your application. Please keep an eye on your email and respond promptly to ensure timely certification approval. 

Ready to apply?

Submit your online application!

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.