Living Sustainably: Workshop targets positive community impacts by business

By Hanna Schulze, Local First Helping businesses make positive social and environmental impacts on their community is the focus of a workshop called “Raising the Bar for Business” to be held in Holland on April 12. Local First has partnered with the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance and Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute to host the workshop. Together they will …

Living Sustainably: Watershed Monitoring is a Community Effort

By Dan Callam, Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway As Lake Macatawa and its watershed continue their slow, steady journey towards clearer water, Project Clarity partners continue keeping tabs on the progress. Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute leads these efforts, with additional efforts led by Hope College’s Day1 Watershed program, the Outdoor Discovery Center, and the Macatawa …

Living Sustainably: How to “green” your yard’s warm weather routine

By Carolyn Ulstad, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council The days are getting warmer, the sun is setting later, and the tulips are starting to emerge from their long, cold sleep. Springtime is right around the corner, and I really couldn’t be any more ready for it. What I’m going to say next will sound utterly crazy to most …

Living Sustainably: Herrick’s collection ‘grows’ with new seed library

By Andrea Goodell, Herrick District Library Not all knowledge comes in books.  Herrick District Library has long advocated knowledge in all its forms, not the least of which is experience. Our new seed library aims to create a cycle of locally grown plants and saved seeds … and gardeners. The Seed Library’s motto is “Select, Learn, Grown, Return.” Starting …

February 2018 Sustainability News

February 2018 February 28, 2018 – A supermarket in Amsterdam has an aisle with more than 700 grocery items – and no plastic February 28, 2018 – Hope College to host lecture on climate change psychology February 27, 2018 – Some Christians are cutting carbon for Lent:  Instead of giving up luxuries, they’re reducing pollution. February 27, 2018 – How …

Living Sustainably: Hope College’s RecycleMania limits landfill waste

By Karen Frink, Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute Intern In a new twist on a basketball game, Hope College recently participated in RecycleMania, a competition between college and university recycling programs to see which can produce the least amount of waste. The GameDay Challenge looks to keep out of the landfill as much waste as possible produced during a single …

Living Sustainably: No Snow, Snow Kidding!

By Michelle Gibbs, Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute Did you know, in the City of Holland we have the largest municipal snowmelt system in the United States? After the recent expansion, the system provides more than 600,000 square feet of heated sidewalks and streets. Personally, I love walking around downtown and not worrying about slipping on the ice or having my …

January 2018 Sustainability News

January 2018 News January 31, 2018 – Affordable Tech Marvels Dominate Greenest Vehicles List January 31, 2018 – AT&T and Verizon Pressured to Match T-Mobile’s 100% Renewable Energy Pledge January 31, 2018 – Why bike share makes sense as a library resource January 31, 2018 – White House to ask for 72 percent cut in renewable energy programs: report …

Living Sustainably: Community Policing is Sustainability Session Topic

By Penny Shuff, League of Women Voters of the Holland Area A safe but also friendly community is an essential part of creating sustainable quality of life. But can we maintain both a safe and secure environment while also being a warm and welcoming community? The Holland Police Department’s approach to community policing will be the focus …

Living Sustainably: Energy prize competition results in change for Holland

By Anne Saliers, Holland Board of Public Works The people of Holland reduced energy consumption by 3.2 percent, to place No. 16 out of 50 cities in the Georgetown University Energy Prize competition. The reduction is relative to our 2013-2014 baseline and represents roughly $500,000 reinvested in the community rather than spent on utility bills. …