For many students across the Thumb Coast, the spark of curiosity begins with a moment that inspires them. For Friends of the St. Clair River, those moments are the heart of their mission. Through immersive outdoor programs, career-connected learning, and strong partnerships with local schools, the organization is introducing young people to meaningful STEM pathways rooted in their own community.
Watershed Educator Taylor Habedank-Fuller sees the impact of this work every day. As a young student, she dreamed of working in the environmental field but didn’t know what that career could look like. “I was one of those kids who knew that I wanted to work with the environment in some way and wasn’t quite sure how to get there,” she shared. “I had never heard of a Watershed Educator, my current role, or any roles in informal education. It’s an area that’s becoming increasingly popular as people realize the importance of getting kids outside the classroom.”
Today, that’s exactly what Taylor helps provide: real-world exposure to environmental science and the many careers connected to it. Through partnerships with organizations like the DNR, and the St. Clair County Health Department, students gain not only scientific knowledge but also a broader understanding of professional opportunities. As Taylor explains, “We introduce kids to new careers, but also get them excited about more traditional careers, such as water treatment facility workers.”
Those early exposures matter deeply. One moment that stuck with Taylor happened at the Pine River Nature Center during a program delivered in partnership with St. Clair County RESA. “One of our teachers talked to her students about where the water in their faucet comes from, and they had no idea,” she said. “Helping students understand their connection with the environment around them and begin to realize that one day they will be taking over as the stewards of our environment is, one of the most valuable things that we can give them for both their education and plans for their future.”
Andrew Fiedler, a fifth-grade teacher at Crull Elementary, has partnered with Friends of the St. Clair River for years. His students first engaged through the Sturgeon Science School, an experience he describes as transformational. “They provided our students with the opportunity to go out on the water and meet up with biologists in the field. It’s been such a positive experience for the kids every year that, when the Friends launched their Watershed Pen Pals program this summer, I jumped at the chance to join in!”
For Andrew, the magic happens when learning becomes relevant. “Our kids learn best when their learning is meaningful and hands-on,” he explained. “The Sturgeon Science School program has given them the chance to study one of our keystone species and get out into our community. The Watershed Pen Pals program goes a step further. The students will be taking what they’ve learned through our science curriculum and using that knowledge to do some real good in our community through an action project. It doesn’t get much more meaningful than that.”
Through Friends of the St. Clair River’s Summer Institute, Andrew and his colleagues gained access to expertise from local partners to help deepen their instruction. “We’ve been continuing our learning since then with monthly meetings,” he said. “Friends of the St. Clair River has been great about supporting us and our students.”
The impact of this hands-on learning reaches far beyond the classroom. For Lily Smalstig, it set her on a career path she hadn’t yet realized she could pursue. Lily grew up in Marine City and studied Freshwater Science and Sustainability at Western Michigan University. In 2021, she joined Friends of the St. Clair River as an intern.
“When I discovered Friends during my internship search, it felt like the perfect fit,” she said. “The internship gave me real-world experience that brought my classroom learning to life.” From fieldwork to community engagement, Lily gained the practical skills and confidence she needed to take the next step. “Their knowledge, passion, and willingness to share made a lasting impression on me and helped shape the biologist I am today.”
Today, Lily is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and she continues to give back to the organization that helped her grow – now as a member of its Board of Directors. “It’s rewarding to bring what I learn in my day-to-day work back to Friends and my community,” she shared. “Friends helped me turn my love for water into a lifelong purpose.”
Stories like Lily’s – and the countless students discovering their passion in a stream, along a riverbank, or in conversation with a scientist – reflect the transformative power of the Friends of the St. Clair River’s programs. Some students enter knowing they love science. Others discover it when they step outside the classroom.
That spark of discovery has a lasting ripple effect. The region gains young environmental stewards, future scientists, and emerging professionals who feel connected to their home and are motivated to protect it.
Friends of the St. Clair River programs aren’t just teaching science, they’re building futures.