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 …

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: Careerline Tech EcoLeaders Tackle Plastic Pollution

By Megan Wallinga, Kyle McDonald, Allison Elkins, Brianna Mollitor, and Caden Klanderman – Careerline Tech Students This year, the Natural Resources class at Careerline Tech Center decided to try out something new: The National Wildlife Federation EcoLeaders program.  EcoLeaders’ mission is to encourage young people to embody values of economic, social, and environmental equality and sustainability. Through the program, …

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: New ODC attraction helps power the place

By Dan Callam, Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway New, strange looking creatures began appearing behind the Visitors Center at the Outdoor Discovery Center this past fall. You might be forgiven for thinking them reptilian, with their dark, scaly exteriors sunning themselves on the edge of the pond where turtles can be found resting on logs. But instead of …

Living Sustainably: Group launches spring sustainability series

By Michelle Gibbs, Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute Do you want to learn more about what is happening in the community?  The spring 2018 Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore series has announced another great line-up, full of educational events sharing how Holland is becoming a more sustainable community. The series will continue to share information about work as it …

December 2017 Sustainability News

December 2017 News December 31, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Understanding funding for a stronger community December 31, 2017 – Add Shoe Year’s hikes to your resolutions December 30, 2017 – Obama’s ‘pollution-free society’ is needed to combat climate change December 30, 2017 – Projects to look out for from Ottawa County Parks and Rec. in 2018 December 29, 2017 …

November 2017 Sustainability News

November 2017 Sustainability News November 30, 2017 – Betsy DeVos approves Michigan’s federal school accountability plan November 30, 2017 – Plan for Parkside Marina redevelopment presented in full, faces opposition November 30, 2017 – Holland e-commerce business busy this Cyber Monday November 29, 2017 – Jeff Goodell’s ‘engaging, often terrifying’ book November 29, 2017 – 4 great gifts for your green-living …