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Ecology + Education + Design

Formed in 1999, SEEDS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We work locally to solve global challenges by supporting the intersection of ecology, education and design.

Our interdisciplinary expertise ranges broadly, from energy analysis to K12 education, from farming to ecological restoration. 

 

2011: Energy Conservation

SEEDS Energy & Environmental Analysis team is saving our community money through energy conservation. In 2011 we completed a project in partnership with the Council of Governments and 20 municipalities, leaving them with $1million of new high efficiency equipment and a 5-year plan to accrue even more energy savings.

The first 6 Counties documented first-year savings of

• $123,000
• 630 mmBtu’s (weather adjusted) and
• 12% average energy savings overall

Savings will be reinvested in more efficiency measures, which will save more dollars. Projections show a 130% return on investment after five years!

We bring dollars that make more dollars for our partners. 

“SEEDS helps make abstract issues concrete so that we can visualize and move forward.” Ken Gregory, Assistant  Director, Department of Public Services, City of Traverse City

 

2011: Youth Academics

We provided over 13,000 student contact hours of STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) instruction in 2011. How do we make “academics” hands-on and fun?

• Odyssey of the Mind – students in Forest Area advanced to state competitions with a Ranata Fusca award for exceptional creativity!
• Robotics Clubs – students in Manistee learned how to construct remotely operated underwater vehicles!
• Get students outside – SEEDS students spent 22,000 hours outside in 2011!

Its working: Brethren High School was one of 7 schools named as “Beating the Odds” by the State Board of Education – and the only high school. Superintendent Matesich was clear that this success was due to school staff and their collaboration with SEEDS After School.

“I am passing my math classes thanks to the help I get from SEEDS.” Josef 12th Grade, Brethren

 

2011: Resident Farming Program

The goal of our Farmer Residency program is to lower the age of the average farmer in Michigan – currently 67.

We partner with the Historic Barns Park to manage 5 acres of farmland and host farmers-in-residence. Like a physician's residency, this program allows farmers early in their career to gain experience managing an existing farm before going solo.

We also bring dozens of Youth Corps members to work at this farm, finding mentorship from the Farmer Resident and learning farm-to-table entrepreneurial skills.

 In 2011 Nick produced and delivered over 1500 pounds of food for culinary education programs – garlic, potatoes, squash and kale. Yum!

“SEEDS is an organization that we look to for input and advice when it comes to our own strategic planning.” Jeremy Moghtader, Manager, Student Organic Farm, Michigan State University

 

2011: Culinary Clubs

SEEDS After School hosts culinary clubs at each of our 10 partner school sites. At Benzie Central High School, a group of rowdy teens transformed into a catering team with a lot of respect for one another and their new kitchen craft.

After ten weeks in the kitchen, they are able to

• Break down a whole chicken
• Prepare traditional Anishinabe foods
• Can applesauce and tomatoes
• Make pumpkin pie from fresh pumpkins and a perfect crust from scratch 

Their landmark moment was preparing a beautiful meal for 50 people!

This team looks forward to catering more events in the future. 

“The people in SEEDS take the time to get to know the students and visit with them. They seem to catch kids who go unnoticed and could really use a positive role model.” Kim Cotton, Science Teacher, Kalkaska High School

 

2011: Engineered Restoration

SEEDS engineers provided eight technical trainings to landscape contractors, design professionals, volunteer coordinators, and the public on methods for managing wastewater and stormwater in concert with the surrounding ecosystems.

The six rain gardens we helped design and install are capturing more than 350,000 gallons of stormwater runoff annually – easing the burden on city infrastructure and local ecosystems at the same time.

“SEEDS technical expertise has helped us to grow the breadth of our projects and deepen our impact on the urban ecology of our communities.” GTECH Strategies

 

2011: Restoration by Youth

In 2011, SEEDS Youth Conservation Corps

• Removed 50 acres plus 88 shoreline miles of  the invasive wetland plant, phragmites
• Restored 10 acres of habitat
• Stemmed erosion on 1.5 miles of streambank
• Removed and repurposed 1000 black locust trees 

We also

• Built 5 miles of trail
• Maintained  and improved 10 miles of trail
• Built 2400 feet of boardwalks
• Helped preserve 4 historic buildings

 

Want more? Click here to see our full 2011 annual report!