WLAC Renews Partnership with North Central Michigan College

The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) is pleased to announce the renewal of its partnership with North Central Michigan College, reaffirming a shared commitment to conservation, environmental stewardship, and hands-on educational opportunities for area students.

Representatives from both organizations recently gathered at North Central’s Borra Learning Center in Petoskey to formally renew the partnership, which has provided meaningful benefits to students, local natural resources, and the broader community over the past five years.

Through this collaboration, North Central students have gained valuable field experience across WLAC’s network of more than 50 nature preserves. Biology students have conducted biodiversity assessments at WLAC’s Postle Farm Preserve and Mill Pond Nature Sanctuary, while also helping establish sentinel trees as part of Michigan State University’s Eyes on the Forest tree monitoring program.

For WLAC, the partnership strengthens ongoing efforts to protect the Walloon Lake watershed while fostering the next generation of environmental professionals and community stewards.

“We’re excited to build on our partnership with North Central Michigan College to strengthen our capacity to protect natural resources in the Walloon Lake watershed while giving NCMC students meaningful real-world experience in the field.”

— Jon Breithaupt, Executive Director, WLAC

North Central leaders also highlighted the value of experiential learning opportunities created through the partnership.

“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy,” said Sara Glasgow, dean of Arts and Sciences at North Central. “Collaborations like these are vital for offering students authentic, experiential learning opportunities that excite and inspire them, and for nurturing an ongoing commitment to land and resource stewardship.”

North Central President David Roland Finley emphasized the mutual benefits of the collaboration.

“This partnership is a powerful example of how student success and environmental stewardship go hand in hand,” Finley said. “Students gain invaluable, hands-on experience learning the science behind our local watersheds — knowledge they will carry with them throughout their lives and future careers. At the same time, WLAC benefits from the energy and commitment of engaged students who understand the importance of protecting our natural resources for generations to come. It’s truly a win-win collaboration for everyone involved.”

As WLAC looks ahead, the organization remains committed to working with educational institutions, community partners, and volunteers to advance conservation initiatives, improve water quality, and provide meaningful opportunities for people to connect with and care for the natural resources that make the Walloon Lake watershed unique.