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The following are members of the Groundswell Advisory Council: 

 

Chair: Michelle Storey, EGLE

Vice Chair: Courtney Marek, Ada Parks & Recreation

Secretary: Christina Catanese, GVSU AWRI

Chair of Professional Learning Committee: Wendi Vogel, Kent ISD

Chair of Projects Committee: Micah Herrboldt, Kent County Recycling and Education Center

Chair of the Teacher Committee: Keith Piccard, Allendale Middle School

Chair of the Advancement Committee: Vacant

 

Grand Valley State University Groundswell Representatives: 

Allison Palm (Teacher Committee & Professional Learning Committee) 

Clay Pelon (Advancement Committee)

Mara Spears (Projects Committee & Professional Learning Committee)

Vicky Wright (Advancement Committee & Professional Learning Committee)

 

We met on June 9, 2025 and you can find a draft of the meeting minutes here. You will see an accompanying tab to the minutes where we used Jamie AI to take notes of the discussion.

 

The goal of our recent Groundswell Advisory Council (GAC) meeting was to engage in a focused discussion on the future direction of Groundswell. Using prompts shared in advance, members came prepared to explore strategies for incentivizing collaboration, increasing participation and funding, and fostering long-term engagement and growth.

Their insights will help shape our next steps and strengthen our collective impact. 

Following the meeting, the Groundswell team held a strategy retreat to reflect on the feedback and ideas shared by the GAC. This input is directly informing our planning and priorities moving forward.

Explore the new Groundswell Advisory Council webpage to learn about each member’s role and the committees that help drive Groundswell’s mission.

Want to get more involved with the Groundswell Stewardship Initiative?
Fill out this short form to share your contact information, let us know your interests, and indicate any committees or roles you’d like to learn more about—or even join! 

We're excited to host this year's Summer Institute on August 5, 6, & 7!  

 

Thanks to a grant from the MiSTEM Network, the first 25 educators to register and attend all three days of Groundswell’s Summer Institute will receive $200 to support classroom materials for implementing place-based education. Educators who attend all three days will also be entered into several raffles for additional prizes.

 

We’re also thrilled to collaborate with Subject to Climate’s Michigan Hub, which offers free, high-quality climate change resources for educators across all K–12 subjects. Their materials are designed to support classroom instruction and deepen student engagement with real-world environmental issues.

 

Grand Valley Metro Council

Both of these roles will further support stormwater programs, permit requirements, and LGROW’s grant programs.

Stormwater Outreach Coordinator

Watershed Forester

See the GVMC website for more information and to apply. 

Looking to post a job within our community? Email groundswell@gvsu.edu with a link to your job posting and how to apply and we will post it here!

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