July 22-28, five ninth through eleventh grade students studied the ecology of Gratiot Lake. Students spent the week living at the Noblet Field Station doing the work of a field biologist as they explored such topics as biome borderlands, watershed ecology, biodiversity, food and medicine in the forest, and animal behavior and habitat.

Josh Mow, from Washington, Michigan, was this year’s recipient of the Sandretto Scholarship to attend Michigan Tech University’s Summer Youth Program Exploration: Aquatic Ecology at Gratiot Lake. Five high school students have received the scholarship since its inception. The endowed scholarship was established by Rita Sandretto in memory of her husband, Jack Sandretto, in 2002.  

Josh (top row on the left in photo) is pictured at the Noblet Field Station with (clockwise from Josh) Eric Villanueva, Andrew Fitch, Sarah Quackenbush, Marcy Erickson (instructor), Shane Irmen, and Brian Rajdl (instructor).

Scholarship Available to UP Student

Rebecca (Rita) Sandretto continues to contribute generously to the Conservancy’s endowed education scholarship fund established in memory of her husband, Jack Sandretto. The scholarship benefits local students (students currently in grades 9-11) taking part in the Conservancy’s educational programs.