Students at Northern Michigan University have no shortage of environmental volunteer opportunities. Whether on campus or in the community, activities for student volunteers are provided by both student and local organizations.

In the Community

Partridge Creek Farm, located in Ishpeming, actively looks for student volunteers during the growing season to help grow their produce, educate elementary and high school students about local food and sell their products at market. No prior experience is necessary, although it is preferred. Summer internships are also available; information provided upon request.

The Local Farm Tour is an annual event, hosted by the Marquette Food Co-op, that usually accepts student volunteers upon request. Usually held in October, the volunteer is placed with a local farm and greets visitors as they arrive. It is a full-day commitment, usually on a Saturday, and there is an optional farm dinner for guests and volunteers at the end of the day.

The Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Trust (SWP) is an award winning Great Lakes nonprofit organization that has set national records for pollution prevention and implements innovative, science-based programs that achieves documented, measurable results. Each year the SWP offers dozens of opportunities for volunteers to get involved in local conservation, monitoring or education projects. These include everything from dune restoration to invasive plant removal, taking kids on field trips or restoring important fish habitat, monitoring streams or helping at a community waste collection event. For more information, visit http://superiorwatersheds.org/support/volunteer

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Student and Professor working in NMU hoop house

On-Campus

The NMU Hoop House is available to any individual who wants to experiment and learn. Interested in a directed study? Interested in soils and native plants? Have some landscape art you want to display? Volunteers do not need any prior experience, and students will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable food, vermicomposting and to work with a variety of plants in a closed-loop system.

See NMU EcoReps for volunteer opportunities through our program!