2010 Top-Rated Nonprofit

Au Sable Institute

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Education, Environment, Environmental Education, Higher Education, Natural Resources Conservation & Protection

Mission: Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies provides quality stewardship education, training, leadership and vision for earthkeepers worldwide based upon a continuous and fearless pursuit of the integration of environmental science, theology, and praxis in all of its courses, programs and operations, and commissions its students to serve and honor Jesus Christ by caring for God’s creation.  The mission of Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies is the integration of knowledge of the creation with biblical principles for the purpose of bringing the Christian community and the general public to a better understanding of the Creator and the stewardship of God’s creation.  Therefore, all of its programs and activities are structured to promote Christian earthkeeping.  This requires dedication to exemplary Christian earthkeeping in the planning, operations, programs, and outreach of the Institute.

Community Stories

22 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

7

grace9 Client Served

Rating: 5

06/07/2010

After attending AuSable I changed my Environmental minor to a major. I was blow away by the learning opportunity and connections I made with other students and professors. Finally, a cross denominational christian and science institution; taking two of my personal loves and showing the world that yes, they can thrive together. And I kept coming back, because what better way to learn than with small, hands on classes taught by excellent professors that can teach you things far beyond their field of specialty. And you living along side these professors and their families, along with your new found friends who how else would you ever have them. It really is a one in a million type of interaction.

8

tonyab Client Served

Rating: 4

05/05/2010

Before AuSable I did not know how I was going to fit my environmental biology degree and my passion for teaching about the natural world into a career. Working with the staff and hearing about AuSable alumni provided me with potential pathways. My environmental education internship with Patricia was the keystone that the rest of my working life has been build upon. The knowledge and skills that I gained during those 10 weeks provided me with the experience I needed to aquire my first job. Today, I still use the tools and even some of the lesson plans exactly. Thank you AuSable!

8

starrlight Former staff

Rating: 5

05/04/2010

Au Sable Institute changed my life. It helped to develop me into the person that I am today. The classes were challenging but I learned a wealth of knowledge. The professors were dedicated and fun. The staff were great people. The other students became like family. The settings are inspiring. The experiences, the people, and the knowledge I gained from being a student, a staff member, and an intern will always remain with me.

8

wendelberry Client Served

Rating: 5

05/04/2010

My experience at AuSable changed my life! The very first course I took was about the natural history of the great lakes region in spring, and it was intense. I learned about so many things, from how to sit quietly at dawn and identify bird calls, to how to sneak up and watch a spring peeper call at dusk. The community there was so supportive and had a wonderful attitude of awe and caretaking towards the creation--even though my education branched off into agriculture, that sense of wonder and responsibility has stayed with me. One of the very best benefits of being a student at AuSable is getting the chance to see that sincere Christians can be serious and respected scientists. Getting to know those people personally was an incredible benefit as I continued my education in secular universities.

8

jamessnyder3vagov Former staff

Rating: 5

05/04/2010

Environmental education has to do with a persons lifestyle and world view. It is difficult to change a persons lifestyle and or world view without intense interpersonal interaction with other people of conviction and relative experience and knowledge. AuSable provides this kind of interaction with these kinds of leaders. Students have a rare opportunity to have their lives and minds shaped by caring,intelligent professionals. This empowers them in a unique way to change their world. The world is changed one person at a time. AuSable is committed to this mission and has proven it's methods to be effective over many years of committed effort by people of conviction, passion and service.

4

dfi007 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

05/04/2010

Teaching at Au Sable changed my life; not only is the biological knowledge I have aquired teaching at Au Sable the equivalent of a second Ph.D., but I also learned to integrate my Christian faith and my discipline in a way that would not have been possible anywhere else. The academic community and the full-immersion experience Au Sable offers are truly unique; as the wife of a fellow Au Sable professor once said,

2

scott6 Client Served

Rating: 5

05/04/2010

Au Sable has proven to be a wonderful place for our students to enjoy nature in ways they don't get to in their everyday lives. It's a place where we can experience creation through play (snow shoeing, cross country skiing) while learning about how our everyday lives can effect what that experience will look like in the future as we care for creation in our own backyards. One great part of it is that this learning happens as the students simply experience all that Au Sable has to offer.

4

Noah Client Served

Rating: 5

04/21/2010

Au Sable was not only a place for academic learning (which was fantastic) but it was a community of Christians dedicated to serving God and loving the world God created. It provided a vision for Kingdom building alongside brothers and sisters in Christ. I learned so much from everyone there: from the faculty to my peers to the kitchen staff. Mealtime is one of my fondest recollections, it was one way that Au Sable demonstrated how caring for creation takes intentionality in every area of life.

4

neb Former staff

Rating: 5

04/15/2010

The years I spent at Au Sable were life transformational for me. The depth of relationships formed there have led to lifelong friendships, and I even met my future spouse at Au Sable! In addition, being able to share the wonder of nature with others and being able to teach the importance of being good stewards of creation was truly a joy. Even though I never enrolled in any college courses at Au Sable, the evironment on campus was one that fostered continued learning and growth for me (through the combination of faculty and student and visiting guest interactions, lectures, field trips, library resources, opportunities to explore the natural environment through a variety of means, modeling of stewardship practices, and practicing teaching skills.)

9

megan5 Client Served

Rating: 5

04/12/2010

The two summers that I spent taking classes at Au Sable absolutely impacted the direction of my life. I was contemplating a career in the medical field, but the importance of environmental conservation, which is the heart of Au Sable, changed my focus to research and conservation science. I also greatly appreciated the Christian perspective from which all the coursework is approached, which gives the true meaning and purpose to all their work and now mine.

7

njs Client Served

Rating: 5

04/12/2010

I had a wonderful experience taking 3 classes at Au Sable, 2 in sustainable agriculture and one in global sustainability. I learned things I would not have been able to do at a traditional college. We visited farms and communities that opened my eyes to the variety of ways people have innovated methods of living more sustainably. The professors were very helpful and caring, going out of their way to provide the best possible learning experience.

4

maaakaaa Client Served

Rating: 5

04/09/2010

My time at Au Sable was one of the best experiences I have had. It was amazing to study with a group of people with the same interests. My classes there are probably the best I have taken. We were able to do a lot of field work that is impossible with normal one-hour class periods. Plus they offer many classes unavailable at my college.

5

priya1 Client Served

Rating: 5

04/09/2010

I was an invited international participant from India and i underwent the most memorable experience of learing about environmental issues and our responsibilty in caring for nature. I had the opportunity to do things which i would not have in my home town, like all the field studies gave me a perfect insight into the creation and how much effort is needed by us to sustain it for the coming generation. The cultural relevance to day today issues we face was well discussed.

8

gabriela1 Client Served

Rating: 5

04/09/2010

In my experience, Au Sable Institute is the best organization out there integrating science education, environmental stewardship values, and faith.

9

cjwilson Client Served

Rating: 5

04/09/2010

I had an amazing experience at Au Sable Institute. I completed a course at the Great Lakes campus. I not only gained a great educational experience, but I also developed a Christian worldview about our responsibility to be stewards of this amazing world we live in. I have been impressed with the leadership and vision of Au Sable Institute, and I support this organization 100%.

8

jason4 Client Served

Rating: 5

04/09/2010

Some of the most valuable and influential learning experiences of my college career. I would not be where I am today, working in Bolivia on conservation and sustainable community development, if it were not for Au Sable Institute. The practical, hands on experiences Au Sable offers far surpass anything one learns from textbooks or the typical classroom experience. The class Au Sable offers in Florida at ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) was especially important in my life direction. This course introduced me to sustainable agriculture used to solve many of the problems facing our world and I went on to the internship program at ECHO.

7

heatherl Client Served

Rating: 5

04/08/2010

I have been a student, environmental education intern, and graduate fellow with Au Sable. During summer 2006 I took 20 credits of classes and I was immediately hooked. The classes that Au Sable offers are incredible for getting hand on experience and for shaping future directions of the rest of your life. A few years later I came back to Au Sable as an environmental education intern. This experience has made me fall even more in love with the values and goals of Au Sable. Environmental stewardship, field research, and environmental education are among my passions today and Au Sable continues to help shape my future through the Au Sable graduate fellows program.

4

hollyk Client Served

Rating: 5

04/08/2010

Over the course of two summers, I took 24 credits through Au Sable, at both the Michigan campus and the Pacific Rim campus. These classes were key to my ability to complete my self-made major, since courses in my environmental concentration were not offered at my school. The professors provided me and other students with a positive, but challenging academic experience that both equipped and inspired us. The Au Sable program truly succeeds in inspiring young adults to embrace environmental themes in their career paths, whether in traditional science or in business or in social justice ventures.

7

shariann Client Served

Rating: 5

04/08/2010

I attended Au Sable Institute for the entire summer of 2008. The experience was phenomenal. I learned so much and gained hands on experience for my future career. I also was able to meet other people that share my passion for the environment and be inspired by what they do.

7

laura16 Client Served

Rating: 5

04/08/2010

Going to Au Sable was one of the best decisions I have ever made! The profs were very knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic about the material. Au Sable is a beautiful campus with beautiful people and I would highly recommend going there to anyone who is interested in biology and wishes to inspired more than they can imagine. =)

4

aaroniverson Client Served

Rating: 5

04/08/2010

Au Sable is an organization that helped to shape who I am and what career path I've chosen. It uniquely blended the study of natural world with the Creator, which is all too uncommon. The professors and staff care deeply about the education of the students.

4

natebosch Client Served

Rating: 5

04/08/2010

AuSable was a wonderful program for me. I went to a smaller liberal arts college which did not have specialized ecology courses. I took Limnolgy and Environmental Chemistry at AuSable, and enjoyed these fields so much that I went on to graduate school to get my PhD in aquatic ecology. My dissertation research pulled together concepts from both AuSable courses that I took.

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