The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded $255,973 in funding for three projects that will engage Indigenous youth in meaningful place-based watershed educational experiences through the Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program. This initiative is supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative under Focus Area 5: Foundation for Future Restoration Actions.
Funded projects:
- Michigan Technological University, partnering with Keweenaw Bay Indian Community: Increased Water Literacy & Stewardship with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community: Water is Life
- Seneca Nation of Indians: Seneca Nation B-WET project
- Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, partnering with Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians: Nimiigwechwendam Nibiish (I am thankful for water): Caring for our local watersheds
NOAA B-WET is an environmental education program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K-12 students and related professional development for teachers. B-WET fosters the growth of new, innovative programs and encourages capacity-building and environmental education partnerships. The primary delivery of B-WET is through competitive grants that promote Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). The MWEE is a learner-centered framework that focuses on investigations into local environmental issues and leads to informed stewardship action.