RCE Grand Rapids-2018

rce_proj_title_2013
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1. Project Title: 
Plaster Creek Stewards (update)
2. Thematic area/s addressed by the project
3. Project partner contact information : 
Organization: 
Calvin College
Role: 
Authorship and transmission
Main Contact: 
Gail Heffner
Name: 
same
Affiliation: 
same
4. Project type
5. Project description
Provide a short description of the project including strategies, regional challenges, aims and specific project activities.: 

Plaster Creek Stewards (PCS) is an initiative of RCE partner Calvin College.  Using public and private resources, PCS seeks to restore the environmentally-compromised Plaster Creek watershed through citizen education and action initiatives.  Stakeholders include houses of worship, businesses and NGOs.  Funding has permitted pre-secondary and secondary school, at-risk children to engage in meaningful environmental action to restore and protect this urban watershed.

6. Project status
On Going
Description: 
In 2017 PCS secured a third grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (total $2.3MM) to provide community education, faculty and student research, and the installation of several large green-infrastructure projects to reduce storm water runoff into the Creek. Other funding from US Environmental Protection Agency and private philanthropists supported "Green Team" work projects for urban youth in the watershed, including clean-up, tree planting, native plants installations and rain gardens construction.
8. Tagging