Stubnitz Environmental Education Programs

Designed in accordance with Michigan Science Standards for grades K-5, these programs use a variety of inquiry activities, simulations, and hands-on experiences with the natural environment. Environmental education is presented in an interdisciplinary format of age-appropriate programs.

Living/Non-Living + Senses in Nature – Kindergarten

Nature Explorers offered for Pre-K in Spring

Students will use inquiry and observation to investigate what plants and animals need to survive, as well as the difference between living/non-living things.  On a hike, the students will explore the sights and sounds of Heritage Park.

(3 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

Life Cycles of Animals – First or Second Grade

The life cycles of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and insects will be investigated.  Students will explore the growth stages various animals go through.  A hike through Heritage Park will provide an opportunity for students to observe animal homes and make connections with plants and animals in their natural habitats.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

The Life Cycle of Plants – Second or First Grade

Students will examine various methods of seed dispersal, participate in a simulation about the life requirements of plants, and investigate plant life cycles. A pond study and Conservatory tour will provide a look at the diversity of life in different habitats. A hike around the Hidden Lake will allow students to observe seed dispersal in action and to discover plants in their natural environment at various life cycle stages.

Through a partnership, this program will be held at Hidden Lake Gardens from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during designated 2-week periods in the fall and spring.  Fall Dates: Sept. 30- Oct. 4 and Oct. 7-11.  Spring Dates: April 30- May 2 and May 5-9.

Investigations in Zoology – Third Grade

An investigation into the unique and diverse lifestyles of organisms will be explored along with their commonalities - birth, growth, reproduction, and death. The organisms and their habitats make up a system in which the parts depend on each other. Through participation in an outdoor simulation, a group activity, a rotten log investigation, and a nature walk, students will gain increased knowledge of Zoology.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Adaptation and Survival in a Changing World – Fourth Grade

Animals’ adaptations help them to live in a world where each species is part of a food web. Through participation in a predator-prey simulation, an investigation of structural adaptations in skulls to look for clues as to their function, and an exploration of adaptations in some very specialized animals, students will experience the challenge of survival in the natural world. On a nature hike through Heritage Park, students will look for signs of animals, discovering their secrets to survival.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Exploring Wetlands and Watersheds – Fifth Grade

Students will participate in activities and an active simulation to collect data, investigate wetland ecosystems, and see connections and interactions among wetland plants and animals. On a trail hike, students will discover the magic of a local wetland and learn how it contributes to the Raisin River Watershed.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Additional Information

Stubnitz Environmental Education programs will run Mondays-Fridays in the Fall and Spring.  Programs will be scheduled, one per day, from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. (The exceptions are Life Cycle of Plants at Hidden Lake Gardens, which will be 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and Pre-K/Kindergarten, 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.) Adjustments may be made to accommodate school or bus schedules. Students will eat lunch during the program, so please plan to have everyone bring sack lunches and drinks.

Heritage Park Stubnitz program fees are $3.00 per student; $4.00 per student fee for Life Cycle of Plants at Hidden Lake Gardens, (due to site costs.) School staff and 1 adult leader per group are admitted free. Reservations may be made for 1 or 2 classes, totaling a maximum of about 50 students. Due to our reliance on volunteer staffing, it is challenging to accommodate larger numbers of students.

To register for sessions, contact Linda Knape via e-mail at linda.knape@lisd.us or leave a message at 517-265-1624.  Please include the following information:

1. Date range preference
2. School name and district
3. Grade level and program
4. Number of students and classes
5. Contact info including phone number and e-mail address

After the initial reservation has been made, and before your LISD Stubnitz Environmental Education program, you will receive a Confirmation Form to sign and return to Linda Knape at the LISD. You will also receive additional information to prepare your students for their field trip experience. We look forward to your visit at the LISD Stubnitz Environmental Education Center in Heritage Park or at Hidden Lake Gardens for the Life Cycle of Plants program.

Thank you to the Maurice and Dorothy Stubnitz Foundation whose grant support makes it possible to keep student fees at low rates!

Designed in accordance with Michigan Science Standards for grades 6-8, these programs use a variety of inquiry activities, simulations, and hands-on experiences with the natural environment. Environmental education is presented in an interdisciplinary format of age-appropriate programs.

Winter Ecology

Aligned with the Michigan Science Standards, “Winter Ecology” allows students to develop their skills as field ecologists as they explore how plants and animals cope with the winter season. Students will explore the habitats around Heritage Park and learn to recognize animals and the signs they leave behind. We will discuss the adaptations that allow our local animals to survive the cold winters. Limited to 35 students due to the hands-on nature of the program.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. during January and February)

Connecting Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Aligned with the Michigan Science Standards, this program explores the interdependence of the variety of populations, communities, and ecosystems of the Great Lakes region. Students will participate in lessons using inquiry activities, simulations, and hands-on, minds-on activities in the outdoors to investigate the rich diversity of life in our region. Activities also explore threats that lower our region's biodiversity. During the trail hike, students will discover ecosystems, food webs, and biodiversity in Heritage Park. Limited to 60 students.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Exploring Wildlife Biodiversity with Trail Cameras

Aligned with the Michigan Science Standards, “Exploring Wildlife Biodiversity” allows students to develop their skills as field biologists as they create questions to research in the field. Students will explore the habitats around Heritage Park and learn to recognize animals and the signs they leave behind. They will plan and carry out investigations using trail cameras to document wildlife interactions, biodiversity, and resource availability in our region. Classes may return to collect trail camera data and analyze on-site or data can be delivered back to the classroom. Limited to 35 students due to the hands-on nature of the program.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Urbanization on the Water Cycle

The “Urbanization on the Water Cycle” program will combine hands-on experiences and engineering to investigate the effects of humans on the water cycle. Students will review the water cycle, but the main focus will be on infiltration and runoff. This program will have students observe how humans have created more run-off helping to add to the pollution of our waterways, but will also investigate ways in which humans are engineering solutions to help lessen the amount of run-off and pollution. Using real-world issues aligned to the Michigan Science Standards, students will calculate the amount of runoff at Heritage Park and engineer and evaluate which green roof design is most effective at preventing run-off. Limited to 35 students due to the hands-on nature of the program.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Additional Information

Stubnitz Environmental Education middle school and high school programs run on Mondays and Fridays in the fall and spring. Please note there is some flexibility in scheduling and adjustments may be made to accommodate school or bus schedules. Students will eat lunch during the Stubnitz EE program, so please plan to have everyone bring sack lunches and drinks. Program fees are $3.00 per student. Teachers and 1 adult leader per designated group are admitted free.

To register for sessions, contact Linda Knape via e-mail at linda.knape@lisd.us or leave a message at 517-264-1624.  Please include the following information:

1. Date range preference
2. School name and district
3. Grade level and program
4. Number of students and classes
5. Contact information including phone number and e-mail address

After the initial reservation has been made, and at least one month before your program at LISD SEEC, you will receive a Confirmation Form to sign and mail back to Kerry Nieman at the LISD. You will also receive a packet explaining more about your LISD Stubnitz Environmental Education program to help prepare your students for their field trip session. We look forward to having your class visit us at Stubnitz Environmental Education Center!

Thank you to the Maurice and Dorothy Stubnitz Foundation whose continuing grant support makes it possible to keep student fees at a low $3.00 per person.

Designed in accordance with Michigan Science Standards for grades 9-12, these programs use a variety of inquiry activities, simulations, and hands-on experiences within the natural environment. Environmental education is presented in an interdisciplinary format of age-appropriate programs.

New! Exploring Ecosystems within Vernal Pools

Students will learn the identifying factors of vernal pools, which are wetlands that only contain water for about 3/4 of the year but have incredibly diverse and productive ecosystems.  During this Michigan Science Standard aligned program, students will be documenting the features of an actual vernal pool in Heritage Park.  Working as field ecologists, students will be collecting data as part of a citizen science project called Vernal Pool Patrol that was developed through a partnership between MSU and Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI).  Students' data will become part of a growing database mapping Michigan's vernal pools.  Students will monitor the physical habitat and search for indicator species along with other species found within this unique ecosystem.  Along the way, students will learn about the special adaptations that many of the vernal pool species have developed in order to survive in a highly variable and temporary wetland.  Limited to 35 students due to the hands-on nature of the program.

(4 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Where Are You Now? Radio-Tracking and Triangulating

Aligned with the Michigan Science Standards, “Where Are You Now” allows students to experience how scientists tag and track animals in the wild. Students will learn how to use radio telemetry equipment and the triangulation method to locate animals in nature, then they will put this new knowledge to work as they act as zoologists to locate a tagged turtle in the Heritage Park pond. Students will explore the data collected to try and analyze the turtle’s habitat use, home range, and patterns of behavior. Limited to 35 students due to the hands-on nature of the program.

(4 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Connecting the Carbon Cycle, Climate Change, and our Environment

The “Connecting the Carbon Cycle, Climate Change, and our Environment” program allows students to model the carbon cycle and carbon’s flow among the Earth’s systems while focusing on its role in our environment. The program is aligned to the Michigan Science Standards and helps students visualize and understand the carbon cycle and how humans and other factors are impacting the carbon cycle. Students will investigate how changes in carbon levels affect Earth’s systems and inhabitants. Limited to 35 students due to the hands-on nature of the program. 

(4 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)

Winter Ecology

Aligned with the Michigan Science Standards, “Winter Ecology” allows students to develop their skills as field ecologists as they explore how plants and animals cope with the winter season. Students will explore the habitats around Heritage Park and learn to recognize animals and the signs they leave behind. We will discuss the adaptations that allow our local animals to survive the cold winters. Limited to 35 students due to the hands-on nature of the program.

(3.5 hours: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. during January and February)

Human Impact on Water Quality

The “Human Impact on Water Quality” high school science program gives students a hands-on opportunity to explore water quality in our local watershed. Students will go to the river to collect macroinvertebrates and water samples to assess the river’s water quality. Students will evaluate the data collected and propose solutions to help reduce the negative impacts of humans on water quality. Using STEM and engineering design, students will also understand how water is filtered and cleaned and the limitations of that process. Students will get a chance to assess the property surrounding the river as they take a trail hike from the river back to the Stubnitz Center. The Michigan Science Standards LS2: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, ESS3: Human Sustainability, and ETS1: Engineering Design will be addressed in this program. Limited to 35 students due to the hands-on nature of the program.

(4.5 hours: 9:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m.)

Additional Information

Stubnitz Environmental Education middle school and high school programs run Mondays and Fridays in the fall and spring. Please note there is some flexibility in scheduling and adjustments may be made to accommodate school or bus schedules. Students will eat lunch during the Stubnitz EE program, so please plan to have everyone bring sack lunches and drinks. Program fees are $3.00 per student, Teachers and 1 adult leader per designated group are admitted free. Due to the hands-on nature of this program, class sizes are limited to 35 students.

To register for sessions, contact Linda Knape via e-mail at linda.knape@lisd.us or leave a message at 517-265-1624.  Please include the following information:

1. Date range preference
2. School name and district
3. Grade level and program
4. Number of students and classes
5. Contact information including phone number and e-mail address

Approximately one month before your program at LISD SEEC, you will receive a teacher packet with a confirmation form to sign and mail back to Kerry Nieman. Please contact Kerry Nieman with any questions concerning the program or needs to customize for your classroom. We look forward to having your class visit us at Stubnitz Environmental Education Center!

Thank you to the Maurice and Dorothy Stubnitz Foundation whose continuing grant support makes it possible to keep student fees at a low $3.00 per person.

Fundraising is an important role in sustaining our quality environmental education programs for our local youth. The Stubnitz staff partners with the Lenawee County Education Foundation to run an annual fundraising and sponsorship drive.

Support from business and community is vitally important to the LISD Stubnitz Environmental Education Program (LISD SEEP) and K-12 students of Lenawee County. We wish to express appreciation to these 2023 Donors and Sponsors:

Diamond Sponsor $3000+

• Maurice and Dorothy Stubnitz Foundation

Platinum Sponsor $2000+

• Anderson Development Company
• Wacker Chemical Corporation

Gold Sponsor $1500+

Silver Sponsor $1000+

• Barbara Ross, given in memory of Dr. William J. Ross

Bronze Sponsor $750+

Crystal Sponsor $500+

• Tetra Tech
• TLC Community Credit Union
• Dick and Karla Holmes
• David and Brenda Knapp
• The Daily Telegram
• Groeb Family, given in memory of Erin Groeb

Program Sponsor $250+

• Clift Buick GMC
• Citizens Gas Fuel Company
• David P. Pray
• John and Sue Wanke
• ProMedica
• Herb and Rhea Mills
• Mark and Lisa Haag
• Patrick and Kathleen Madziar
• Steven and Mary Ann Camron, given in memory of Patricia Sanders

Student Sponsor $100+

• Norman and Sally Glasser
• John and Linda Knape
• Laurie Howarth
• Ken and Amy VanOostendorp
• If-N-When Charters/Jay Nieman
• Martha Poppink-Melcher
• Barrett's Showplace Gardens
• Martin and Nancy Thompson
• Rick and Pam Bunch
• Stan and Karen Caine
• Meijer

Supporting Members under $100

• Dr. Kelly Cichy and Lorenzo Cristaudo
• Bronna Kahle