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: Skilled workers needed to sustain local manufacturing

By Jennifer Owens, Lakeshore Advantage The Lakeshore region is driven by manufacturing. Nearly one quarter of the jobs in Ottawa County are manufacturing-based, which is almost three times higher than the national average. Many of these jobs require skills, certification and training beyond high school, but not necessarily a college degree. Yet, the average wage in manufacturing is significantly …

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: 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: Awards event honors Lakeshore sustainability stars

By Hanna Schulze and Michelle Gibbs Local First and Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute Five awards recognizing business and individual efforts supporting local initiatives and sustainability were presented Thursday, Feb. 8, when Local First hosted its inaugural Lakeshore Annual Meeting.  The event was held for the first time in Holland to recognize the growing number of businesses on the …

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 …