The SEMIS Coalition Blog
The place to connect, learn and share perspectives in place-based learning
Welcome to our SEMIS Coalition blog! A commons-based digital space for shared resources, images, and more. It’s a place for you to ask questions, interact with peers, and keep current with the latest Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition activities.
Browse through the most recent posts below, or browse past posts by category via the toolbar on the right.

Save the Date for the SEMIS Coalition’s #GivingTuesday Year End Kick-Off!
In nature, we see the beauty of succession, where ecosystems evolve over time, each generation building upon the legacy of the last. As stewards of our environment, we too must invest in a sustainable future for the generations to come.The SEMIS Coalition is dedicated...

Supporting our community in times of crisis: Message from Eastern Michigan University’s President Jim Smith
During this incredibly painful and difficult time in the world, we would like to amplify this message from the President at EMU:October 18, 2024 "To the Eastern Michigan University community, As we return from what I hope was a restful Fall Break, it’s incumbent upon...

“Community Resilience from the Youth Up” project led by Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition at Eastern Michigan University awarded $500K grant
NOAA Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program announced $941,100 in funding for seven environmental education projects throughout the Great Lakes basin. Great Lakes B-WET awards are funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative....

Recap: Summer Institute 2023
Image Description: Attendees stare up at an unusual sighting of a fish skull that had been dropped by a bird of prey into a decaying tree trunk at the Detroit River International Wildlife RefugeThe SEMIS Coalition's Annual Summer Institute took place July 24-27, 2023....

The Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition Receives National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) B-WET Grant to Boost Environmental Education Efforts across the region
NOAA Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program announced $941,100 in funding for seven environmental education projects throughout the Great Lakes basin. Great Lakes B-WET awards are funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative....

2023 MiSTEM Critical Partner Award received by SEMIS Coalition
The Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition is honored to have received the 2023 MiSTEM Critical Partner Award.Read the Eastern Michigan University newsletter article and Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity press release.Acceptance Remarks - by...

Community Forum 2022: Witnessing students express the appreciation of the humanity and brilliance in each other, by Audra Carson
It is a pure delight to share my experience at the 2022 SEMIS Coalition Community Forum held at Bob's Lake House on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. Before I go any further with how wonderful the day was, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Audra D....
Nurturing Students’ Relationships with Place
By: Susan Kinsky As place-based educators, we facilitate relationships: between people, with students, with community members, and with the places we study. I want to focus on emotional relationships and connections with places. I don’t think this is separate from...
Teaching Through a King Lens
TEACHING THROUGH A KING LENS By Willie King III Through my many experiences as an educator, I have found that the spark never really disappears; the flame just looks different. Transitioning into the second semester of the 2021-2022 school year as an official SEMIS...
Mi-STAR Water Unit gets a dose of Place-based Education
“I thought I knew everything there was to know about water, but I didn’t know water was everywhere!” proclaimed a 6th grade student during their final presentation to community members after a month-long unit on stormwater. This student was one of almost 300 students...