Flint, MI – April 11, 2025 - Flint Community Schools is proud to announce the 2025 Flint Southwestern Green Project launch, a groundbreaking environmental initiative led by students at Southwestern Classical Academy. As part of this program, the school will host its first-ever salmon release into the Flint River, marking a significant milestone in student-led conservation efforts.
Flint River Green supports the initiative and has provided essential river testing equipment, including battery bubblers for salmon transport, safety glasses, field microscopes, API test kits, and other necessary tools for the event. This project aligns with the district’s commitment to providing students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that foster environmental stewardship and scientific inquiry.
The event will occur on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Swartz Creek Municipal Golf Course, just up Hammerberg Road from the school. Students will conduct stream testing, analyze water quality, and release the salmon into the Flint River as part of their ecological studies. In preparation, a testing rehearsal with community partners was held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Students conducted stream testing, analyzed water quality, and released salmon into the Flint River as part of their ecological studies.
Superintendent of Flint Community Schools, Kevelin Jones, emphasized the significance of this initiative for student learning and environmental advocacy: “This project exemplifies the innovative and hands-on learning opportunities we strive to provide our students. By engaging in environmental conservation and scientific research, our scholars are enhancing their education and making a tangible impact on our community and natural resources.”
Christopher Ochodnicky, Principal of Southwestern Classical Academy, expressed his excitement about the project: “At Southwestern Classical Academy, we are committed to equipping our students with real-world skills and experiences that prepare them for future academic and career opportunities. The 2025 Flint Southwestern Green Project provides a unique platform for our students to apply their scientific knowledge and contribute to environmental conservation meaningfully.”
Shelly Stewart-Roberts, Secondary Science Educator at Southwestern Classical Academy, highlighted the educational value of the project: “This initiative is an incredible learning experience for our students. They are applying scientific principles in the field, using professional testing equipment, and seeing the effects of conservation efforts firsthand. The salmon release is not just a symbolic act—it’s an opportunity to engage in real environmental science.”
Following the salmon release and stream testing, students will present their findings and research at The Summit on May 22, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Kettering University Campus Life Center. This event will showcase student research, provide networking opportunities with environmental professionals, and emphasize the importance of local ecological initiatives.
A Special Thank You to Our Community Partners: Flint Community Schools extends its deepest gratitude to our dedicated community partners, including the City of Flint, Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, Michigan State University, and Genesee County Parks. Their invaluable support, resources, and expertise have played a critical role in making the 2025 Flint Southwestern Green Project possible. Our students have gained access to professional-grade equipment, expert mentorship, and a greater understanding of environmental conservation through their collaboration.
RE-ENERGIZING THE PRIDE, RENOVATING THE PLANS, REBUILDING THE POSSIBILITIES, and REPURPOSING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE! Flint Community Schools invites the community, local partners, and media to support and celebrate this student-led conservation effort.