School Environmental Education Programs
Pre-K-12: Blue Heron Ministries partners with schools to incorporate ecological restoration programs into the classroom. We currently work with students at Oak Farm Montessori School in Avilla, IN, teaching them about the area’s natural history, invasive plant species, native plants and animals, restoration ecology, and native ecosystems. Students are also given opportunities to participate in hands-on restoration activities, including invasive species removal, native species plantings, seed collecting and planting, and prescribed fires. Our hope is to inspire young people to care for the land and continue the restoration work that so many have started before them.
College: We accept invitations from colleges and universities to share with students about the ecological restoration process and what we do at Blue Heron Ministries. These presentations serve to impart our calling to care for Creation as well as encourage students to explore careers in the conservation field.
Community Environmental Education Programs
Blue Heron Ministries offers many educational opportunities for people young and old. These range from learning about our local flora and fauna to participating in hands-on restoration activities. The goal of these programs is to build community around a shared passion for Creation care.
For those interested in butterflies, we offer a butterfly monitoring program through the Michigan Butterfly Network in which volunteers identify and record species sighted along established monitoring routes. If interested, please contact John Brittenham at johnbrittenham@gmail.com.
For those interested in learning about or participating in prescribed fire, we provide education and training. Please email Nate Simons at stuartbheron1@hotmail.com if interested.
We also offer natural area interpretation programs. We have led tree ID and wildflower hikes in the past, and we are in the process of adding more events. Please visit the Events page for more information.
Throughout the year, we invite volunteers to join us for hands-on restoration activities. These typically include plug planting, seed collecting, and prairie planting parties. Check out the Volunteer page for current opportunities.
Conference Presentations
Over the years, Blue Heron Ministries has been invited to present at Kellogg Biological Station’s K-12 Partnership Summer Institute, Michigan Prescribed Fire Council’s Burning Issues Conference, and The Stewardship Network Conference. We have also presented to groups such as the Angola Garden Club and local Kiwanis Club and Lion’s Club chapters. Discussion topics have included (but are not limited to) the how-to of prairie restoration, the lost landscapes of Lakes Country, restoration by fire, and our call to steward Creation. If interested in inviting us to speak to your group, please email Nate Simons at stuartbheron1@hotmail.com.
Blue Heron Ministries 