<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}AS_Day1_LowRes-008.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 166px; float: right; " />After many months of work, deliberation, and consideration from many sources, the Au Sable Board of Trustees has approved a new mission statement for the Au Sable Institute:</p>
<p>
	<em>Au Sable inspires and educates people to serve, protect, and restore God&rsquo;s earth</em>.</p>
<p>
	A concise but powerful declaration, the new mission statement presents Au Sable&rsquo;s mission as shaping environmental stewards for a redemptive outcome.</p>
<p>
	&quot;The new mission statement,&rdquo; noted Au Sable&rsquo;s Executive Director Fred Van Dyke, &ldquo;doesn&rsquo;t change our mission, but it provides us with a more dynamic tool for opening conversations about the purpose of Au Sable&rsquo;s work and the transformative methods we use to accomplish it.&quot;</p>
<p>
	Au Sable&rsquo;s new mission statement encapsulates its five main program areas: <a href="/courses/course_information/">undergraduate, field-based courses</a> in environmental science and environmental studies; an <a href="/k12programs/">environmental education internship program</a> that trains interns to teach K-12 Environmental Education programs to schools throughout Northwest Lower Michigan; a <a href="/courses/summer_research/">research program</a> to further our understanding of God&rsquo;s world and develop undergraduate students&rsquo; skills in research; a <a href="/alumni_and_grad_fellows/#GradFellows">graduate fellows program</a> to help Christian graduate students integrate their faith into their environmental studies; and <a href="/k12programs/conferences_and_retreats/">retreat programs</a> for churches and small groups.</p>
<p>
	Ben Lowe, Chair of Au Sable&rsquo;s Board of Trustees, reflects, &quot;Coming up with our new mission statement was a team effort, and I&#39;m grateful for all the board, staff, and friends of Au Sable who were part of this process. May God find us faithful in carrying out this good mission.&quot;</p>
<p>
	The Board and Staff of Au Sable look forward to promoting, presenting and accomplishing the Institute&rsquo;s work, along with its partners, through the new mission statement.</p>
