Au Gres-Sims Awarded $1,000 Community Action Grant

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Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) Awards Au Gres-Sims Partnership a Community Action Mini-Grant

January 20, 2020

AU GRES, MI – Au Gres-Sims School District has received a $1,000 Community Action Mini- Grant from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (WIN).  The grant, awarded in December as part of WIN’s 2019 grant program, was collaboratively authored in partnership between Au Gres-Sims, Michigan State University Extension, Huron Pines, and the City of Au Gres Department of Public Works. 

The WIN Community Action Mini-Grant Program offers funding opportunities to organizations who are working to make improvements in their neighborhoods, communities, and watersheds within the framework of “sustainability.”  This grant will help fund the installation of a bioswale at Riverside Park in Au Gres.  The bioswale is a form of green infrastructure, used to minimize the negative effects of storm water runoff into the nearby Au Gres River and Saginaw Bay Watershed.  The bioswale will function as a natural filtration system, using native Michigan plants to capture and break down pollutants found in storm water runoff.

The project is led by environmental science students at Au Gres-Sims High School, and highlights the direct application of science and engineering practices to address a unique community-focused issue.  Luke Freeman, an environmental science teacher at Au Gres-Sims High School, stated, "Students are taking the lead not only in their education, but also as community activists.  By identifying a problem, becoming informed through research, debate, the democratic process, and taking action, students embody the true spirit and excitement of being a scientist."

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