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NOAA Announces Indigenous Communities Awards Under the Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program

August 20, 2024
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:
Students from the 2022 Learning from the Land Summer Youth Program explore rocks and water while learning about local geology at Bad River Falls. Photo credit: Red Cliff Band Education Department.

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.