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Charlevoix Public Schools Elementary - REYS

REYS is a year-long program, offered by the Au Sable Institute, that engages students in place-based, project-oriented learning, culminating in the design and implementation of a habitat restoration project within their watershed using native plants.

This year, students focused their restoration efforts on Boulder Park Nature Preserve in Charlevoix, a property managed by the Little Traverse Conservancy. Over the course of 10 lessons (approximately one lesson every 3–4 weeks), students developed a deeper understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the ecological threats facing northern Michigan ecosystems.

On May 18th, C3F cameras were on-hand as students visited their project site at the park and installed 1,000 native plants to help increase biodiversity. A majority of students rated the program as good-to-excellent and reported back that they had fun, learned a great deal, and gained a better understanding of how to care for the earth as a result of participating in REYS. Plus, Megan and Pam from our C3F team got to join the students on their planting day. Talk about a win-win-win!

Photo credit: Center of Attention Photography