The Watershed Center has a strong commitment to increasing the public's understanding of our water resources and how to protect them now and into the future. In addition to volunteer monitoring projects, which help students and adults learn about aquatic ecosystems through hands-on experience, the Center has undertaken a variety of outreach and education activities:

• Periodic workshops for local governments



• Ongoing meetings with stakeholders throughout the watershed to update them on our activities and obtain feedback about their water quality concerns.



• Brown Bag lunches with representatives of governmental bodies, environmental and citizen groups, and other interested parties to exchange information.



• Publishing the annual Freshwater Focus tabloid which updates area residents and visitors about watershed issues, protection and restoration projects throughout the watershed, and other useful information.



• Publishing the State of the Bay report on the environmental health of the Bay and its watershed (2000 and 2002).



• Storm drain stenciling projects to increase awareness of how storm water affects the bay.



• Participate in Northwestern Michigan College's "Learning for Life" program and the Water Watch Student Congress



• Development of a variety of brochures and other printed resources