Living Sustainably: Two programs help share the blessing of fresh produce

By Lisa Uganski, Ottawa Food Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables grown here in West Michigan. There is nothing quite like the taste of a just-picked blueberry or tomato. However, many members of this community don’t have access to the juicy strawberries, sweet corn and the abundance of other fresh …

Living Sustainably: Bike Holland rides offer fun cycling intro

By Jenny White, Bike Holland The third annual Bike Holland Series kicked off at the Green Commute Expo back in May, but the rides will continue to roll out from Velo City Cycles every other month through September. Maybe you want to meet more people in town, or want to get more exercise, or want to lower …

Living Sustainably: The right gear can “green up” your summer picnics

By Emily Hamilton ’19, Holland-Hope Sustainability Institute Intern Memorial Day is here, and I don’t know about you, but my family always has a huge picnic to celebrate the kickoff to summer! This is a time when many of us are grilling out, hosting parties, and enjoying the outdoors with our families. As you plan your Memorial Day …

Living Sustainably: Dig them tulips! Program helps plant community pride

By Jodi Syens, Holland in Bloom Do you really dig the tulips? Well, here’s the chance – to dig ‘em up, that is. The annual Tulip Dig, sponsored by the City of Holland and Holland in Bloom, is scheduled this year for 9 to 11:30 am. Saturday, June 1. Participants are encouraged be there when it starts, …

Resources from our Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore Series

Our friends at Herrick District Library have put together a great listing of additional resources from our Spring 2019 Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore Series.  Check them out at the links below! Stay tuned for our announcement later this summer about our Fall 2019 series topics. Green Commuting The Affordable Community Economics of Sustainability Search …

Living Sustainably: Green Commute Expo offers info and fun at Holland Energy Park

By Michelle Gibbs, Hope College Office of Sustainability and Colleen Nagel, Holland Sustainability Committee “Green commuting” might sound complicated to some, but it’s not. In fact, the “why, where and how” will be explained Tuesday evening, along with other fun activities, as part of a free Community Green Commute Expo at Holland Energy Park.  The family-oriented event will focus …

Living Sustainably: Rethink, Reuse, Recycle with Holland BPW during Tulip Time

By Morgan Kelley, Holland Board of Public Works The Holland Board of Public Works is excited to be the official Tulip Time Conservation Partner for the seventh year in a row and, as such, to help the community “rethink, reuse and recycle” to help boost sustainable practices in our community. Along those lines, consider these opportunities: Rethink your …

Living Sustainably: Native plants are beautiful and beneficial

By Sarah Irvin, DeGraaf Nature Center This growing season, you can help reintroduce native plants to our otherwise cultivated landscapes of non-native or invasive plants and monocultures of green grass. Including native species in your yard will bring beauty to your life; benefit our local ecosystem, and save you time, money, and energy! Here are some of the …

Living Sustainably, Get Ready to Roll in Green Commute Week

By Carolyn Ulstad, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council Spring is a time to reinvent, refresh and reflect on how we want to proceed through the warm months ahead. For most of us, after enduring the long winter, spring means spending as much time outside as possible. My own warm weather goals involve promises to myself to see the beach …