This summer, Wisconsin felt the weight of water—quite literally. Unprecedented rainfall overwhelmed storm systems, strained infrastructure, and brought flooding to the forefront of community conversations. But even amid the challenges, water has also become a powerful teacher.
Across the state, educators gathered to explore how water can inspire place-based learning that deepens students’ understanding of the environment and empowers them to care for it. Regional events, led by 18 Green & Healthy Schools fellows, used the theme of water to spark meaningful connections between educators, students, and place. Funded by the Departments of Public Instruction and Natural Resources and administered through partner organizations like Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE), the events reached nearly 100 educators and generated energy for environmental education at the local level.
Each event offered a unique window into Wisconsin’s diverse landscapes—marshes, rivers, lakes, gardens—and showcased how water education can move beyond the classroom.
