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Huge Impact:
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As we reported in September, ISEA was anticipating a busy fall Schoolship season to wrap up a very busy spring and summer season. The projected Schoolship numbers are in and I am thrilled to announce that because of your support ISEA has been able to impact 146 classrooms with our life changing Schoolship program during the 2014 sailing season. This indeed is a record, and coincides with what is anticipated to be record numbers of public participants as well. Our Great Lakes face tremendous threats and our message of Great Lakes stewardship is as important today as it was 25 years ago. Thank you for allowing ISEA to continue protecting the Great Lakes through education.
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Director's Challenge:
One focus of ISEA is making decisions today to sustain our organization and allow us to continue to have a positive impact into the foreseeable future. As everyone knows, it is critical to have a strong web presence if we want to reach today's audience. As a result, ISEA has determined that some new web-based features, such as online registration, are important to our long-term success. It is important that these features are in place for the next sailing season, which means that ISEA has a limited window to raise the funds needed to take on this project. Because the timeline is short AND I believe these changes are so critical, I would like to place an Executive Director's Challenge for anyone willing to help raise the funds needed to upgrade our web site. I will personally provide a dollar for dollar match for the first "new" $3,000 donated to this project. The definition of "new" would be any gift beyond your normal contribution to ISEA. Pledges to this project must be made by November 15 so that ISEA can meet the timeline needed to ensure completion of the site by our Spring deadline. Please indicate "web site" on your donation. Together we can put the infrastructure in place to allow ISEA to impact an ever-increasing number of individuals.
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Update on Fall Schoolship Changes:
As many of you know, ISEA has instituted some minor changes to the fall Schoolship program in an attempt to assist teachers with some of the needs associated with beginning a new school year. In essence, we have included a stronger emphasis on teamwork throughout the Schoolship program. Most of these changes have been minor, but include the added bonus of creating some program efficiencies. The hope is that we will provide a positive team-building culture while at the same time streamlining some of our practices.
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Program Development:
ISEA is anticipating a busy off-season focused on the creation of some additional programs intended to compliment our highly successful Schoolship program. The potential of ISEA is endless and the prospect of developing additional program offerings can be very exciting. We would love for you to share in that excitement with us. If this would be of interest to you, please contact any ISEA staff member and let them know that you would like to play a role in expanding program offerings at ISEA. We will help you become involved at whatever level you would be comfortable.
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Education Center Flooding:
If you haven't heard the news yet, ISEA had a little flooding issue with our aquarium in our education center. Unfortunately the pump failed and delivered somewhere between 30 and 50 gallons of water onto our floor, causing significant damage to our carpeting. We are fortunate that our insurance company is covering the damage, so we plan on replacing the carpeting soon. However, as you can imagine, moving all of our existing aquariums and displays to allow for the installation of new carpeting will be a monumental task. Because we will be required to empty all of our existing aquariums, we are hoping to take advantage of the situation to be proactive and replace all of our primary aquariums and their plumbing. Our aquariums are the centerpiece of our museum space and we hope to develop an attraction that truly inspires our visitors. This will require new tanks with improved clarity, lighting, and natural habitat. This is a big task, which comes with some unexpected expenses; however, it is a part of the long-term strategic plan for the organization. It appears that we won't be presented with a better time to tackle this task than now.
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7th Annual Freshwater Summit:
The annual conference for environmental professionals and concerned citizens alike, focuses on current issues facing the Great Lakes region.
Topics to be covered at the Summit include climate change, invasive species, water levels and Michigan's blue economy. Local experts will also cover ongoing research and restoration projects from the Grand Traverse region, including stormwater management, groundwater evaluations, Schoolship monitoring and the Boardman River Dams Ecosystem Restoration Project.
Registration is required by October 24, but early registration is recommended as the Summit typically sells out. Tickets are $35, including lunch; $15 for students. More information, agenda and ticketing information available at www.gtbay.org or call (231) 935-1514.
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