News Photo by Jordan Spence Lincoln Elementary teacher Tina DenBleyker and some of her third grade students clean up along the Thunder Bay River, Monday in Alpena.

ALPENA — Lincoln Elementary third-graders combed the shores of the Thunder Bay River on Rotary Island Mill Monday in search of marine debris.

The students picked up pieces of trash and recorded the types they found.

“We start the year where I tied my science and writing together as well as working with the (Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative). So the beginning of the year we learn about butterflies. I catch them in August and the kids start learning about habitats and life cycles. We do a marine debris cleanup and they do their opinion writing in the fall,” teacher Tina DenBleyker said.

They take a break in the winter and start to brainstorm about what they’ll do next.

GLSI Network Coordinator Meag Schwartz was there with Huron Pines Americorp volunteer Hannah Hazewinkel to help the students on the search.

Schwartz said GLSI helped to bring other partners into the project like NEMROC.

She said NEMROC made and painted five butterfly houses for the pollinator project, which the students were able to see Monday as well.

“Today is the culmination,” DenBleyker said. “In the spring they learn about native plants and animals on Rotary Island. Then we tie it again to our writing unit where they create a blog. Then we tie in the technology piece and they do the research. Then it’s their job to learn where the everything grows, what the predators are and why marine debris affects it.”

The other part is the stewardship piece, she said.

“Not only what we do in the classroom is applicable, this is where it starts. They need to be the stewards, they need to take care of our community. Then they’re also curious. That’s what they’re talking about. These kids drive how it goes. I give them the tools then they determine what’s important,” she said.

Ian Showalter, 9, said he likes to try and clean up the environment and to keep the wildlife healthy.

Sienna Macneim, 9, echoed this sentiment.

“I like that you get to save the animals from dying and have the air fresh and you can take the stink out of the water. We have a whole bunch of garbage we collected so we won’t have as much air pollution,” she said.

Jordan Spence can be reached via email at jspence@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.