Making Connections in the River Raisin Watershed
Grant Type: 2007 Planning Grant
Project Duration: 6/13/07–10/25/07
Grant Amount: $19,900.00
Project Description
The focus of the study was the River Raisin Watershed, though schools that are adjacent to this watershed were not excluded. The entire watershed is approximately 1,072 square miles and the River Raisin itself is approximately 150 miles long. As of 2000, the watershed was home to 140,000 people.
Project Outcome
This project was undertaken jointly by the Monroe Public Schools’ Bolles Harbor Mathematics and Science Center and the River Raisin Institute. The goal was to develop a plan for a regional hub to support sustainable school-community stewardship in and near the River Raisin Watershed. The planning effort engaged teachers and administrators from 11 schools and representatives of 11 community groups, including two governmental entities and one corporate partner. Participants identified six barriers to place-based education and developed strategies to address these. An unexpected outcome of the project was the formation of new school-community partnerships to support several place-based education projects that will be undertaken in Spring 2008. The applicant is seeking funds from several sources to enact the Implementation Plan that was developed through this project.