On October 10,  6th graders from Tawas Area Schools spent the afternoon moving through six different hands-on stations to learn about the impact of invasive phragmites on the Great Lakes ecosystem. The event took place at St. Joseph Health System in Tawas City where a patch of phragmites has developed on hospital property. Huron Pines was able to turn a request to treat the invasive phragmites into a learning opportunity with the help of the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative network, Iosco Conservation District, Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension.

Student activities included calculating the density of the phragmites patch, dissecting the plant, mapping the site, and journaling ideas for future site plans. The students and teachers will continue the lessons by bringing the data back to the classroom for further exploration.

An appreciation for natural resources is part of what creates a strong, vibrant community and it starts by connecting people of all ages to the outdoors. That’s why we work with schools and educators to give students new opportunities to learn about the natural resources right in their own backyards.

This project was funded in part by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.