By Ken Freestone, Holland Residential Energy AdvisorDo you know if your home is healthy, safe and energy efficient? During times of isolation in our homes – like the COVID-19 pandemic – we may encounter negative environmental conditions that we didn’t realize prior to being in our homes for extended periods. With health safety precautions well …
Author Archives: Michelle Gibbs
Living Sustainably: You can join in to help the Macatawa River
By Dan Callam, ODC NetworkIt’s time to join in the community cleanup of the Macatawa River.Register online to join in the fun and necessary cleanup this coming Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to noon at Dunton Park, 290 Howard Ave., Holland.The annual event is a collaboration of the ODC Network and the Macatawa Area …
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Living Sustainably: Macatawa Water Festival goes virtual with creative approach
By Ashley Van Zee, ODC NetworkWe all live in a watershed, and this year, we can all celebrate it safely.If you live in the Holland/Zeeland area, you live in the Macatawa watershed. A watershed is an area of land that drains into a certain stream, river, or lake. It’s like a bathtub where all the …
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Living Sustainably: Kids on bikes get creative this summer
By Jenny White, Velo City Cycles Normally, this is the time of year that hundreds of West Michigan kids, ages 2 to 16, and their coaches meet up at local parks for bi-weekly Velo Kids bike rides. At these rides, Velo Kids learn and practice bike skills, bike safety, and bike trail stewardship. Now, due …
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Living Sustainably: Holland’s Long Recycling History Evolves Again
By Aaron Thelenwood, City of Holland The City of Holland has a history of established best practices in recycling as evidenced by a long-standing city ordinance requiring recycling service for all residential users as well a designated single hauler to service the city’s residents – two factors which promote active recycling participation and success. City …
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Living Sustainably: Improving our community one rain garden at a time
By Kelly Goward, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council The Macatawa Area Coordinating Council is working with the City of Holland and homeowners to plan and install rain gardens. Rain gardens are depressed areas that collect rain water and allow it to soak into the ground. Rain gardens not only reduce the volume of water in storm …
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Hope Again Receives Stars Silver Rating for Sustainability Achievements
Hope College has again earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. Hope has held a silver rating since 2017, after previously …
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Living Sustainably: Combat groundwater challenges by watering wisely
By Rich C. Lakeberg, Ottawa County Water – it’s one of the building blocks of life, and Michiganders are surrounded by it. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, one may assume Michigan could never face a water shortage. But Ottawa County is facing such a challenge. To understand why, we need to …
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Living Sustainably: Holland Farmers Market opens with new safety regulations
By Lisa Uganski, Ottawa County Department of Public Health It’s that time of year when many people look forward to shopping outdoors at farm markets. The Holland Farmers Market is now open to provide the community with fresh, local and healthy food in a safe outdoor environment. Due COVID-19 concerns, the market has implemented a …
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Living Sustainably: Economic restart must meet child care needs
By Donna Lowry, Ready for School A healthy and economically vibrant community depends on meeting the real-time needs of families. Early learning and child care professionals know this well. They partner with working parents and caregivers to provide children the early learning experiences they need for a strong start in kindergarten and life. Prior to …
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