Clinton County is proud to offer environmental education programs and resources for the community at no or low cost through the Department of Waste Management.  Programs are offered for formal and informal education settings, and for youth and community groups.  A range of topics are available, and activities can easily be tailored to meet requests.  The possibilities are endless, and the majority of these great resources are available to the public free of charge! Contact Kathleen Donahue, Environmental Education Coordinator at 989-224-5177 or by email at conserve@clinton-county.org.

Environmental education programs strive to instill in participants “A Sense of Place” by providing opportunities to connect residents, and especially youth, to the natural environment in a way that builds awareness and caring on a personal level.  The great quote by Babia Dioum, a Senegalese Ecologist explains this well:

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love.

We only love what we understand.

We only understand what we are taught.”

Programs are structured to leave attendees with specific actions they can take to foster environmental conservation through everyday activities. This may include taking simple steps to reduce waste, recycle, compost, reuse items where possible, conserve energy, dispose of problem wastes responsibly, and more!

K-12 Education

A core group of programs that fulfill Michigan Education Content Standards for K-12 grade group are available, in addition to more than a dozen different environmental education curricula, as well as resources and equipment for lending to educators.  Clinton County DWM can develop unique programming to meet individual needs. Public and private schools, homeschooling and youth groups are encouraged to take advantage of this great resource!  Click here or on the link to the left for more detailed information.

Community Groups

Programs and presentations are available to community groups such as youth groups (Scouts, 4-H, FFA, student clubs), camps, parks & nature centers and adult community groups (clubs, organizations & senior centers or retiree organizations). Topics range from forensic science classes to learn about water pollution, composting yard waste in one's own backyard, using red worms to turn food waste into valuable soil fertilizer, conducting a nature study, how waste materials become new products through recycling, understanding what global warming is all about and how to calculate your own carbon footprint, and more!  Click here for a brochure.  

Summer Youth Programming

For the second year the Department of Waste Management will be working with the Sleepy Hollow State Park and a number of local partners to offer programs throughout the summer at the Park staring in June and ending in September.  Call, email or check back online for more informtion.

For more information or to schedule a program contact Environmental Educator Kathleen Donahue: 989-224-5177, conserve@clinton-county.org.