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February 2026
As snow blankets the state and we wait for the first signs of spring, EGLE is pleased to bring you a newsletter filled with valuable resources and opportunities to support educators across Michigan in fostering environmental awareness and sustainability. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the profession, you'll find tools and inspiration to create engaging, impactful learning experiences for your students.
This issue highlights resources for school building sustainability efforts, including free energy audits and information on greening your school building. Don't miss out on our highlighted tools, grant opportunities, and upcoming events that will provide ongoing support and enrichment throughout the year. Let's make 2026 a green and sustainable one!
Upcoming Events
- If you’re heading to the Michigan Science Teachers Association conference or local to the area, join us to learn about hands-on, place-based environmental education resources available to you through EGLE Classroom. Registration is requested to help with planning but not required. There is no cost to attend.
- All PreK-12 teachers who attend will receive a FREE kit of materials to geared towards completing MI Green Schools activities!
- Registration is open for the 2026 MI Student Sustainability Summit, the largest sustainability celebration and networking event for Michigan middle and high school students! The Summit will take place at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on Michigan State University’s campus. Learn more and register today.
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Join EGLE Classroom for a weeklong training focusing on how EGLE uses data, mapping, and monitoring to identify and solve environmental problems and how your students can be part of the solution. This is perfect for middle and high school educators looking to inspire stewardship and critical thinking and meet academic standards through Michigan-focused contentare available – Register now.
Highlighted Tools and Technology
The Michigan Green School Guide is now available!
We are excited to announce that EGLE’s new MI Green School Guide is live! The guide helps schools advance green planning that promotes health, academic success, environmental quality and efficient school operations. The MI Green School Guide helps leaders through planning and decision-making processes to create long-term school sustainability plans.
Interested in bringing these tools to your community, but don’t know where to start? Contact Charlotte Mayworm for individualized advice at MaywormC1@michigan.gov
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New Michigan Lake Water Clarity Dashboard
The Michigan Lake Water Clarity dashboard (MiClarity) provides satellite-based data to analyze lake clarity, algal biomass, and color as key indicators of overall water quality. The dashboard features a statewide map with options to search by county, ecoregion or watershed unit. This is a great resource to support your watershed and water quality teaching units.
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New EGLE StoryMap: Protect Against Radon
EGLE’s latest StoryMap provides background on the colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas called radon, present at elevated levels in approximately 25% of Michigan homes.
Learn how radon can become dangerous when it accumulates indoors and how to protect your health.
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EGLE Programs and Key Dates
NEW! From Students to Stewards Initiative Funding Opportunities Open Soon!
The From Students to Stewards Initiative is a collaboration between EGLE’s Office of the Great Lakes (OGL), the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's MiSTEM Network, and the Michigan Department of Education to grow future water stewards and leaders, helping students from elementary through high school learn about the Great Lakes, Michigan’s watersheds, and how people affect water resources across the state. OGL will soon be sharing two grant opportunities to boost freshwater literacy programs and increase access to real-world STEM experiences for K-12 students.
One opportunity is a competitive small-grant program that will provide grants between $5,000 to $10,000 for K-12 schools to support Student Community-Based Water Stewardship Projects that address local water issues. The second is a pilot, Wheels to Water Program, offering noncompetitive grants to schools and school districts to reimburse up to $1,000 in transportation costs for field trips to freshwater ecosystems in Michigan.
Stay tuned to the From Students to Stewards (FS2S) page for more information, including an informational webinar and links for funding application documents when made available in the coming weeks.
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March 8, 2026: Michigan Green Schools Applications Due
Schools across Michigan can now apply to become a certified MI Green School for the 2025–2026 school year. MI Green Schools supports and celebrates the achievements of PreK-12 schools in protecting the state's air, land, water, and ecosystems through their commitments to environmental education and stewardship actions.
Schools engaging in this work empower students with hands-on STEM experiences and meaningful community involvement, building skills that last a lifetime.
Start Your Journey Today!
- Explore the requirements for certification
- Plan your application using the draft application
- Submit your application through the online form
The application period is open now through March 8, 2026. Reach out to your local County Coordinator for more information.
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March 15, 2026: Environmental Service Award Nominations Due
The Environmental Service Award honors one middle school student or group, and one high school student or group, that completes a project demonstrating tangible results and benefits to Michigan’s environment. Awardees receive a $500 gift card to use toward future environmental stewardship projects. Learn more and nominate your group by March 15.
Contact Sam Lichtenwald at LichtenwaldS@michigan.gov with any questions.
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March 16, 2026: Earth Day Poster Contest Submission Due
Kindergarten through 5th grade students are invited to create an original poster for the Earth Day 2026 Poster Contest! Content should include wildlife, plants, land, or freshwater ecosystems, or environmental topics specific to Michigan. First and second place prizes are awarded for each grade level. Learn more and submit your posters by March 16.
Contact Pam Howd at EGLE-EarthDay@michigan.gov with any questions.
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School Sustainability Resources
Grant Opportunity: NextCycle Michigan Circular Economy Grants
NextCycle Circular Economy grants are offering $3 million in funding to help build stronger, more sustainable material management systems in the state. Michigan-based school districts can apply for grants that help their recycling and composting programs. Applications are due by March 13.
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Webinar Recording: Safe and Sustainable Foodware
Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and University of Illinois Chicago explored the growing field of reusable foodware systems in their recent webinar.
Watch the recording to learn about options for implementing reusables in cafeterias and institutions. Presenters shared examples from pilot programs and discussed how reusables can reduce costs, cut waste, and meet customer expectations for sustainability.
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Webinar: Sustainability Conversations - Green Chemistry in Action
Educators and partners are invited to join the Dow Sustainability Teacher Fellowship and Dow Chemical experts on the upcoming virtual webinar "Green Chemistry in Action: Bridging Industry and Education for Real-World Impact" on February 19 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. for a virtual conversation on sustainability, with a special focus on green chemistry, its applications in the workforce, and learning opportunities for K-12 Students. 1.5 SCECH hours are available. Learn more and register.
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Resource: Free Energy Audits for Michigan Schools
Michigan State University’s Industrial and Building Training and Assessment Centers (ITAC and BTAC) provide no-cost energy assessments for schools in the greater Lansing area to help identify energy and cost-saving opportunities. Visit the ITAC website for more information and to apply for a free assessment.
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Additional Opportunities
Michigan Youth Leaders for Environmental Stewardship
The Michigan Youth Leaders for Environmental Stewardship (MYLES) is a statewide coalition of high school students seeking to provide support and youth voice to environmental organizations across Michigan. Their very first newsletter is hot off the press! 📬 Follow them on Instagram to stay connected.
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Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Grants
MAEOE awards grants of up to $1,000 for projects completed by members that help achieve MAEOE’s mission of broadening the horizons of students, teachers, and families, to bring them closer to the natural world. The spring grant cycle is open February 1 – March 15. Learn more and apply.
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Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Annual Conference: October 2-4, 2026
Save the Date for the 2026 state environmental education conference hosted by MAEOE, taking place in Flint, MI, October 2-4. Pre-conference offerings will take place on Thursday, October 1.
Follow the MAEOE Conference website for full details.
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Questions? Concerns?
Send an email to EGLE-Classroom@michigan.gov.
Visit Michigan.gov/EGLEclassroom for more information.
Follow @MichiganEGLE and the #EGLEclassroom conversation on Twitter.
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