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The Great Lakes Green Schools Fellowship Application Is Now Open!
Applications accepted through May 31, 2026
Michigan educators - this is your chance to bring powerful, place‑based, student‑led environmental learning to life in your school and community!
EGLE is offering a brand-new Fellowship program for K-12 educators in the 2026-2027 school year, funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Great Lakes Green Schools Fellowship is a year‑long experience for a cohort of 30 educators who want to deepen Great Lakes literacy, amplify student voice, and spark meaningful environmental action leading to MI Green Schools certification.
Why Apply? Because Your Students Will Feel the Impact Every Day
This fellowship is designed to elevate student learning, student leadership, and student wellbeing. Fellows use Great Lakes–focused experiences to help students:
- Engage in real, hands-on Great Lakes Stewardship
- Learn science through local, experiential outdoor activities
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Connect with community experts and environmental professionals
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Build leadership, voice, and agency
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Participate in a statewide youth sustainability showcase
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Experience a school culture that values nature, wellness, and sustainability
- Contribute to their school’s recognition and legacy
When you become a Fellow, your students gain leadership, STEM skills, hands‑on experience, community connection, healthier learning opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of the Great Lakes.
What Fellows Receive
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A mix of virtual and in-person professional development opportunities around Great Lakes science and Great Lakes Literacy Principles
- Training around best practices in place-based environmental stewardship education
- Networking with Great Lakes scientists and leaders to increase environmental career awareness
- Approximately $1,500 in funding to support youth-led Great Lakes stewardship action projects in Fellows’ schools
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Funding for registration and travel to:
What Fellows Do
- Join monthly virtual sessions
- Attend two in‑person workshops
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Attend two in-person conferences
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Lead a youth-driven project engaging at least 100 students
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Strengthen Great Lakes literacy across their school
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Submit a MI Green Schools certification application for the 2026–27 year
- Build a school culture where sustainability and belonging flourish
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a current, certified K-12 teacher in a Michigan school that is eligible for MI Green Schools certification.
- Schools may be public, private, or charter academies. Homeschool educators are not eligible for this program.
- All experience levels are welcome to apply, but priority will be given to educators who are new to the MI Green Schools program, new to EGLE Classroom resources, and/or new to environmental stewardship education.
Apply by May 31, 2026
Be part of the inaugural cohort shaping a more sustainable, Great Lakes‑literate future for Michigan learners.
Questions? Reach out to Samantha Lichtenwald, MI Green Schools Coordinator, at EGLE‑MI‑Green‑Schools@Michigan.gov.
Questions? Concerns?
Send an email to EGLE-MI-Green-Schools@Michigan.gov.
Visit Michigan.gov/MIGreenSchools for more information.
Follow @MichiganEGLE, #MIGreenSchools, #EGLEclassroom on Facebook and X.
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