Shifting Sense of Place: Applying Sustainable Development Goals and a Virtual Place-based Education Story-map to Change the Story of the Red Cedar River

The Red Cedar River is an icon of the Michigan State University (MSU) campus, yet many on the campus and in the community misunderstand or overlook the river. This case study describes how a librarian created a virtual place-based educational (PBE) object that tells a more complete story of the river’s history and relationship with MSU. This form of virtual storytelling can aid in shaping place meaning and place connection to inform an individual’s sense of place, leading to increased civic engagement and feelings of care and responsibility for the river within community members. These outcomes align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, strengthening the connections between the campus community and its iconic waterway.