Funding Will Allow 250 Students to Participate in Environmental Education Programming

The Au Sable Institute has received a grant from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund. The funding will provide scholarships for 250 students to participate in Au Sable's environmental education programming.

Based on 120 acres outside of Mancelona, MI, the Au Sable Institute serves as an outdoor classroom for K-12 schools throughout an 11-county area of northern Michigan. The grant will allow 10 classrooms (approximately 250 students) the opportunity to visit the Institute and have a full day of field-based, hands-on environmental education programming that is aligned with Michigan science standards. Outdoor learning has myriad educational and personal benefits for students, including improved environmental awareness; physical, mental, and social health; creativity and problem-solving; and test results

“Kids today are spending less time outdoors, have high amounts of screen time, and are simply not benefitting from meaningful engagement with nature,” said Paul Wiemerslage, Au Sable’s coordinator of environmental education programs. “This funding will allow us to serve more students and help them better understand and appreciate the incredible natural environment of northern Michigan.”

Schools in northern Michigan interested in this opportunity should contact Paul to schedule a visit for Fall 2019. Priority will be given to schools with high percentages of low-income students. Paul can be reached at paul.w@ausable.org or 231-587-8686.

The Au Sable Institute has been offering environmental education programs to K-12 schools throughout northern Michigan for 40 years. During their 40-year history, the Institute has taught environmental education to over 130,000 K-12 grade students. Last year, Au Sable served over 2,500 students. For more information, visit www.ausable.org or call Jon Terry at 231-881-6402.