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Author: Mara Spears, CEP Project Specialist Staff, Elana Burns, Communications Content Student Assistant

From Groundswell to You

   Network Social Hour Feb 27   

   PLO: Navigating Eco-Anxiety and Denials in Teaching the Climate Crisis

   The Place Space - Join Our Network

   Deadline Extended for Stewardship Project Participation

   Research Your Issue: Climate Change + Student Dialogue Webinar Recording

Friends of Groundswell

   Smart Salting for Safer Michigan Winters Resources

   Subject to Climate: Teacher Professional Development

Groundswell is excited to offer a social event for our community of educators, local business owners, nonprofit leaders, and stewardship experts. This event will include light programming, where our staff will share with you several program updates and provide you with time to ask questions and engage with our team. The rest of the evening will be dedicating to networking and enjoying one another's company. This will be an opportunity for our community to come together to share space, talk, and engage with one another. 

One drink ticket will be offered to each attendee! Light refreshments will be provided. 

Due to the nature of this event, there will not be any SCECHs available for attendees. 

Groundswell will host Dr. Kevin Holohan, Associate Professor of Educational Foundations at GVSU, for a presentation on his research regarding eco-anxiety; particularly with the lens on climate change in the classroom. Dr. Holohan will discuss how to address the anxiety that climate change can incite amongst students and educators and how to create a safe environment of learning when teaching the topic.

These PLO events are open to any educators interested in learning more about Groundswell, those who are actively working on their student projects already, or those looking to learn more about researching environmental and community issues!

SCECHs available: 2

We are pleased to provide our network with a new and engaging online resource. The Place Space is hosted by the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, our parent hub, and teachers from across Michigan have joined to connect, learn, and share with one another. Any educator involved in Groundswell can create an account on Place Space, and by joining our GVSU Groundswell Forum Discussion Group you can stay up to date with opportunities in the area of PLOs, get access to resources from our events, and also get to know teachers from across the state as part of the larger GLSI network. 

Click the button below to create an account and join today!

We've extended the deadline for educators to submit their Rough Draft Brainstorm Doc for stewardship projects. Educators now have until March to fill out the first potion of their brainstorm doc. 

Each school/class who wishes to receive funding from our program must work to fill out a Brainstorm Document, which is intended to be a living document that can be edited throughout the academic year. This will help guide a teacher in designing a stewardship project.

To get started on a Groundswell Project, click on the button below to find your school's folder, then open your brainstorm doc to get started!

Don't see a folder for your school? Click on a blank folder and rename it to "SCHOOL NAME - Groundswell Project 2024-2025" and start from there. Explore this new document and accompanying resources in our Groundswell Google Drive. Click the button below to begin!

We were thrilled to collaborate with the brilliant non-partisan nonprofit Michigan Climate Action Network for our virtual professional learning at the beginning of the month. Their staff led us in a guided discussion on how to talk to students about climate change in the classroom and empowering youth to be environmental stewards. This professional learning opportunity was hosted on February 3rd, 2025, and focused on language use regarding climate change and practical ways to mindfully teach pK12 students this topic from a position of empathy and import. 

Check out the full recording at the button below. 

Winter in Michigan brings snow, ice, and hazardous conditions on roads and sidewalks. While road salt is a common solution to improve safety, excessive salt use can lead to serious environmental damage—contaminating freshwater, harming wildlife, and damaging roads. 

Salt Smart Collaborative is offering free public support for your snow and ice strategies. Take advantage of the resources listed on their page linked below, including graphics, blog posts, and videos, to get your community on board!

The Izaak Walton League of America is offering helpful resources on the best practices for salting roads and sidewalks. By using the right amount of salt at the right time, you can help protect drinking water and still keep our roads safe. Learn how you can make a difference in your community this winter by following smart salting practices. Tap the button below to access expert tips and do your part to keep Michigan’s environment healthy!

Subject to Climate offers a fantastic lineup of Professional Learning Opportunities designed to deepen your knowledge of climate change and enhance your teaching practices. These resources are thoughtfully curated to empower educators with credible and practical strategies for tackling this important topic in the classroom. We’re proud to highlight Subject to Change in this newsletter because we believe in their mission to support educators and inspire future generations to make a difference! 

Explore these enriching opportunities and take your teaching to the next level. Tap the link below to learn more about their many resources and professional development opportunities. 

Questions? Please contact Groundswell at groundswell@gvsu.edu.