ALPENA — Place-based stewardship education in Northeast Michigan is gaining recognition — not just from families, community members, and local partners, but at the state level, with several awards recently presented to teachers in the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative network.

Jenny Schroeder of Alcona Community Schools won a special award for advocacy in science education from the Michigan Science Teacher Association.

Stephanie Dege of Posen Consolidated Schools is the 2025 Dan Wolz Clean Water Education Grant winner and won the Education Excellence Award from the SET SEG Foundation in partnership with the Michigan Association of School Boards.

Each of these educators have been implementing place-based stewardship education practices with their students for years. They also serve on the leadership team for Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, helping to guide the growth of place-based stewardship education and mentor teachers and partners in the region.

Place-based stewardship education is an approach to learning that connects students to their local environment and community. It encourages active participation in the conservation and care of natural and cultural resources, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to the place where they live. Through hands-on experiences and local projects, students learn about environmental issues, sustainability, and how to be good stewards of their surroundings.