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MACD Education Newsletter — September 2025

Rivka Hodgkinson Tag

Fall is in the air! As seasons shift, change brings opportunity. Each program, classroom visit, and community event plants seeds of knowledge that last beyond this season. Connect with neighboring districts, collaborate, lend a hand at events, and share ideas—these connections strengthen our network and bring us closer to our goals. Thank you for lighting the path toward a more sustainable tomorrow.

Program Spotlight: Envirothon!

Michigan Envirothon is a hands-on, team-based environmental education competition for high school students, challenging youth to think critically about real-world natural resource issues.

Program Spotlight: Envirothon!

  • Forestry

  • Soils & Land Use

  • Aquatic Ecology

  • Wildlife

  • Current Issue (changes annually)

Who can participate?

  • High school students (grades 9–12) — public, private, and homeschool.

  • Teams of up to 5 students + 1 advisor/coach.

  • No prior experience required.

  • Sign up: macd.org/envirothon

Funding Opportunities

Cool Fall Things — Check Them Out!

  • 2026 NACD Stewardship Week — “Soil. Where It All Begins.” Celebrate the foundational role of soil in healthy food, clean water, and resilient communities. Program details & materials
  • Poster Contest (K–12): Michigan state posters due Oct 15, 2025. (Contact: Patty McNinch)
  • National Photo Contest: Photos due Dec 1, 2025.
  • Michigan Green Schools: Certification for schools achieving environmental goals. Annual application period: Jan 1 – early March. (Contact: Samantha Lichtenwald)

Ideas & Stewardship

  • Fall Craft Ideas: Leaf confetti (early ages), Nature mobiles (middle ages), and Monoprinting with natural materials (older ages).

  • Leave the Leaves — Save the Fireflies: Leaving leaf litter preserves habitat for firefly larvae overwintering under trees.

  • Native Seed Collecting: Harvest acorns, maple keys, and wildflowers to connect with seasonal cycles for restoration.

Educator & District Highlights

  • Aspen Schupbach (GTCD): Received the MAEOE Rising Star Award for early-career leadership and innovation in outdoor education.
  • Allegra Baird (Lenawee CD): New Conservation Specialist focused on native plant restoration, agroecology, and farm resiliency.
  • Lenawee ISD — Envirothon: Congratulations to the students who placed 49th of 56 teams at the International Envirothon in Alberta, Canada!

Featured Fall Activity: Monarch Tagging

Each fall, millions of monarchs pass through Michigan on their 2,000-mile migration to Mexico. Workshops teach participants to capture and tag monarchs for Monarch Watch, building citizen science skills and wonder.

Announcements & Reminders

  • September: Wildlife Day (4th), Autumnal Equinox (22nd), Hunting & Fishing Day (27th).

  • October: Youth Confidence Day (20th), Make a Difference Day (25th).

  • November: Veterans Day (11th), Take a Hike Day (17th), Native American Heritage Day (28th).

  • December: Giving Tuesday (2nd), Wildlife Conservation Day (4th), Winter Solstice (21st).

Michigan Deer Hunting Seasons (2025/2026)

  • Liberty Hunt: Sept 13–14, 2025
  • Independence Hunt: Oct 16–19, 2025
  • Archery: Oct 1–Nov 14 & Dec 1–Jan 1 (Ext. through Jan 31 in select counties)
  • Regular Firearm: Nov 15–30, 2025
  • Muzzleloading: Dec 5–14, 2025
  • Late Antlerless (LP): Dec 15, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
  • Extended Late Antlerless: Jan 2–11, 2026
  • Verify all dates with the Michigan DNR.

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