Hosted by Inland Seas Education Association, the Great Lakes Watershed Field Course is a 4-day professional development experience for K–12 teachers and informal educators from throughout the Great Lakes region. It takes place from August 5–8, 2025 in Suttons Bay, MI on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Training in the course includes watershed and environmental concepts, place based education and environmental education pedagogy, and time for curriculum development. Educators will learn how to engage students in local environmental issues, investigate solutions, devise a plan, and take action during this course. Inland Seas supports teachers throughout the school year with additional training, online forums, and other forms of assistance to help teachers implement their watershed-based stewardship action projects.

Past participants shared: 

• "The PD gave me concrete tools to use in the classroom and connected me with other teachers that shared great ideas. It gave me inspiration and a method for helping students solve problems."
• “I’m grateful for the excellence of the program facilitators! I regularly encourage science teachers to get involved with ISEA. Thanks for being awesome and growing Great Lakes Stewards!!”
• “Because I did GLWFC I can elevate my students, who feel elevated by the community, and we raise awareness in a really big way for the community as a whole.”

There is no cost for this experience, but space is limited to 30 participants. Interested educators can learn more and apply on the field course's webpage. Deadline for applications is April 20, 2025 by 5:00 PM EST.