Hope College Sustainability Institute

STOP! READ THIS NOW! If you’re reading this, that worked. But consumers don’t read signs. So, what do you do when you can’t rely on messaging to get sustainability results?
At Lemonjello’s Coffee, we are committed to trying run a zero-waste business. In doing that, we’ve run into four big problems. Here they are, and some ways to address them.

Problem 1: Customers don’t always know what to put where if you offer options for their waste.

There might be many reasons: They aren’t local and don’t know the local recycling rules. They have never encountered compostable take-away products. They don’t see the need. They are sick of getting chastised for “doing it wrong.”
So, if you want them to buy in, it’s important to minimize customer confusion. We did it by removing our trash cans and directing all items to a dish bin that we sort. It’s easy and the same amount of work for my staff.

Problem 2: Every waste facility and every city has different ways of recycling and composting.

What a waste facility chooses to recycle depends on market demand and the ability to monetize the process. When certain types of recyclable materials are not collected, sometimes you can find alternative facilities. Sometimes you can’t.
Composting is similarly dependent on market demand. Commercial composting facilities sell to farms and reduce waste to nothing to keep it out of the landfill, but again, depending on demand.
Do your homework. Find out your local options and align your purchasing and waste systems with the options you have.

Problem 3: Desire, effort, and the help of your workforce.

Some people care about sustainability and some don’t. Getting the whole team to participate takes constant reiteration and some form of making it fun.
Still, there’s always that occasional employee or customer who complains.
So, focus on the people who will get into it. Find ways to make it easy, fun, and a lifestyle choice.

Problem 4: Does it even matter?

Sometimes the energy used to recycle or compost is greater than throwing an item away. Sometimes you don’t always know how your waste gets handled at facilities. There must be a balance with labor hours, burden to staff, cost of pickup and transport, and cost of goods.
And, while recycling does good, much of it is “feel good,” too. But positive emotions help drive sales, which helps keep an economy running and fuels consumer awareness.

Still, that question persists: Does it matter?
I’ve accepted that I won’t always know. That’s OK, at least for me.
So, I try to make it easy for folks, know what I can do, get my staff into it, and get along on my merry way.

 Matthew Scott is the founder of Lemonjello’s Coffee, a zero-waste café. He also works as a writer, teacher and consultant for coffee businesses. His passion for sustainability came from his grandparents, who taught him it wasn’t hard to be a steward of your resources if you choose to do it. https://lemonjellos.com/

PHOTO CUTLINE –
Lemonjellos1.jpg (or png) Lemonjello’s customers put everything in one bin, solving Problem 1, customer confusion, which helps the cafe’s efforts to recycle and compost more than 85 percent of waste.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme
Environmental Awareness/Action: Environmental education and integrating environmental practices into our planning will change negative outcomes of the past and improve our future.

ABOUT THIS SERIES
Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.

Living Sustainably: LED Technology Offers Bright Ideas for Saving Money

By Barry Rutherford, Holland Board of Public Works

Like many small business owners, Joe Langejans, owner of Maplewood Auto at 242 East 26th St. in Holland, has to make every dollar count to stay in business. So, when he was approached by a salesman talking about new LED lights and how much money he could save, Langejans said “show me in writing” and asked for a quote.
A light-emitting diode, or LED, is a type of lighting that uses a semi-conductor to turn electricity into light.
According to the Department of Energy, LEDs can be six to seven times more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. In addition to being more efficient than any other bulb, LEDs contain no mercury, and have a much smaller environmental impact than traditional bulbs.

The contractor assessed and quoted Langejans’ facility and presented him with a couple of surprising things.
First was a sizeable rebate for the project from Holland Board of Public Works, which, according to Langejans was “absolutely” critical in determining his decision to move forward with the project. In addition, the contractor made it easy by handling the rebate paperwork. Last year alone, Holland BPW helped more than 150 businesses earn rebates for a wide variety of energy efficiency improvements.
The second surprise was that the contractor estimated Maplewood Auto would recover the cost of the project in just nine months with the rebate and the energy savings from the LED lights.
“The contractor gave me an impressive return on investment estimate due to the rebate, and explained the long-term, energy-saving nature of installing LED lights, which is why I moved forward with the project,” Langejans said.
Langejans is very happy with the performance of the LED lights; they resulted in a 36 percent reduction in Maplewood Auto’s electric bill, making for a quick payback. Langejans said he would recommend other small businesses in the Holland community adopt smart energy practices and look into financial assistance if needed.
Not sure where to start? Start by contacting an electrician or lighting supplier to help determine what LEDs are right for your business and visit hollandbpw.com for available rebates. Financing options are also available at Michigansaves.org.
 Barry Rutherford is a certified energy efficiency engineer at Holland Board of Public Works. He advises commercial and industrial customers on ways to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities and production processes.

PHOTO CUTLINES –
Maplewood1.jpg A well-lit work area at Maplewood Auto Repair costs much less to light with LED technology.
maplewood.jpg New LED technology provided a 36 percent reduction in the electric bills for Joe Langejans at Maplewood Auto Repair.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme:
Smart Energy: We need to use both conservation and efficiency measures to manage our resources to provide access to reliable and cost-effective energy.

Living Sustainably: Water conservation is vital

By Dave Van Wylen, Hope College

There are few places where it is possible to be more unaware of global water issues than in West Michigan. Sitting on the shores of Lake Michigan in a region with ample rainfall and many inland lakes, we are water-rich in comparison to many parts of the world.

Our water abundance is amplified by living in a state surrounded by the Great Lakes, which not only provides us with a near limitless source of fresh water, but also creates the perception: Water is plentiful, so why conserve?

Millions around the world are not nearly so fortunate. Consider the Poor Water Map of the world in which countries are sized according to the proportion of people without reliable access to safe water. (See worldmapper.org for maps of this sort).

The U.S. is virtually non-existent on this map as are countries like Australia and many European countries. This makes sense when you think about it – from where you are as you read this, how far are you from a source of safe drinking water?

Compare the U.S. to the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa or to India or Indonesia, where a large percentage of the people, sometimes upwards of 50 percent, lack access to safe drinking water. “Access” typically means within 1 kilometer (a 10 to 15-minute walk); for many, their water source is much further away.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 884 million people lack even basic clean drinking water service – about one in nine people. Very few of these 884 million people live in the United States; perhaps none live in West Michigan.

Now consider the Water Use Map, which illustrates global water discrepancies from another perspective, showing countries sized according to their proportion of worldwide water use.

Again, compare the U.S. to Sub-Saharan Africa. Americans use about 575 liters per person per day (152 gallons) of water for drinking, basic hygiene, bathing, laundry, and general household use. Those living in many Sub-Saharan countries average around 50 liters per person per day (13.2 gallons); the “typical” American uses more than this each day just to flush the toilet.

The World Health Organization suggests that humans need a minimum 20 liters per person per day (5.3 gallons) for drinking and basic hygiene or a minimum of 50 liters per person per day (13.2 gallons) when including bathing and laundry. Many in the world live below these “water poverty” minimums, while we use more than 10 times this amount.

Water issues are basically local in nature. If I conserve water in Holland, I don’t create more water across the ocean. Nevertheless, our use of water here in West Michigan should be understood within a global context, something that does not come naturally in our region of water abundance.

How often are we motivated by the lack of water elsewhere to limit the length of a shower, think twice about watering the lawn, or minimize the amount of time the faucet runs?

There are good reasons to conserve our local waters that are unrelated to a global comparison. To act locally and globally to address water issues, Google “household water conservation” (local) and “clean water organizations” (global) for ideas.

– Dave Van Wylen is the Dean for Natural and Applied Science at Hope College and on the Advisory Board for the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme:

Environmental Awareness/Action: Environmental education and integrating environmental practices into our planning will change negative outcomes of the past and improve our future.

ABOUT THIS SERIES:

Living Sustainably is a collection of community voices sharing updates about local sustainability initiatives. It is presented by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute, a joint project of Hope College, the City of Holland and Holland Board of Public Works. Go to www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute for more information.

Screening of the film “A Plastic Ocean” September 14 6pm

6-8pm Graves Hall September 14

Living Sustainably: Workshop focuses on watershed and quality of life

By Jessica Vander Ark, West Michigan Environmental Action Council

For those who grew up or live in Holland, Lake Michigan, Lake Macatawa, and the tributary streams that flow into them are a powerful focal point of our lives. We visit the parks and beaches, swim, kayak, enjoy bonfires and picnics, fish off the piers and docks, and ride in our boats.
The water is a main ingredient in our quality of life.
But how does a community rise to the responsibility of preserving that freshwater resource and ensure a quality of life for current and future generations?

“Quality of Life: The Macatawa Watershed” is the focus of the next Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore workshop, coming Sept. 12 at Herrick District Library in Holland 6:30pm

The presentation will help answer that question.

Consider that everyone lives in a watershed, and everyone’s actions can impact it either positively or negatively.
A watershed is an area of land where all the water – surface and groundwater – flows into the lowest point, such as a stream, river, or lake. It’s like a sink: Water drains down to the bottom carrying dirt, soap, and anything else it encounters.
That is also how a watershed works, with the drain being the stream or river. And different things happen to the rainwater, depending where it lands.
When rain lands on natural or green, porous spaces like trees and landscaping, it soaks in and recharges groundwater supplies. When water lands on hard, developed surfaces, it runs downhill, carrying pollutants with it.
Why do we care if water soaks in or runs off? Because those pollutants are full of sediment, fertilizers, pathogens, and litter, which can cause troubles for Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan.
Nobody wants to fish, kayak or swim in green, smelly, polluted water – and that impacts our quality of life.
So, what do all of us living in this watershed need to know?
First, take time to interact with waterways. Appreciate where we live and all the opportunities our watersheds provide, especially for quality of life.
Then pay attention to where the rain goes where you live, work, and go to school. Grab an umbrella and watch the water flow. Once you know where the runoff is, the next step is to follow the motto, “Slow it down, spread it out, and soak it in.”
There are several ways to do that, like using native plants in landscaping, using rain barrels to capture rain from your roof, or limiting impermeable surfaces.
The Living Sustainably presentation will share more about those methods and other ways to embrace our Great Lakes culture and quality of life.
 Jessica Vander Ark is the director of environmental education at West Michigan Environmental Action Council

PHOTO CUTLINES –
drain.jpg Storm drains lead directly to rivers and lakes, so never dump anything down the drains.

students.jpg Students in Ottawa County learn about the effects of stormwater pollution on their watersheds.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme
Quality of Life: The community, through governmental, religious, business and social organizations, makes decisions that contribute to its own well-being.

August 2017 Sustainability News

August 2017 Sustainability News

August 31, 2017 – 7 Ways to Have a Great Green Labor Day Party

August 31, 2017 – 4 steps to safely recycle your household batteries

August 31, 2017 – SpartanNash expands Double Up program

August 31, 2017 – Here’s What Good Buildings Have in Common

August 31, 2017 – Local Favorites: This salad takes advantage of fresh veggies

August 31, 2017 – Holland area joins Harvey relief cause; learn where is best to give

August 30, 2017 – Something in the Water: Turns out there are more than a handful of craft breweries owned by Hope College alumni.

August 30, 2017 – Into Africa: Dr. Tim Laman ’83 is passionate about conservation and joined the Hope College Alumni Travel Program.

August 30, 2017 – Dumpster-Diving Your Way into Zero Waste to Landfill

August 30, 2017 – Considering a Green Roof to Boost Stormwater Management? New PACE Funding Can Help

August 30, 2017 – How much would Hurricane Harvey rain raise the Great Lakes?

August 30, 2017 – Comment period closing for Saugatuck Dunes marina development

August 30, 2017 – Michigan communities take slightly different approach to clean energy financing tool

August 30, 2017 – National environment group recognizes GVSU sustainability practices

August 29, 2017 – Hurricane Harvey a Trash, Logistics Disaster

August 29, 2017 – 7 Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency

August 29, 2017 – The ever-inconvenient Gore

August 28, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Gardening a different way helps students learn

August 28, 2017 – Could states lure new businesses with renewable energy? (Large companies are looking for locations that help them meet clean energy goals, says a Michigan utility.)

August 26, 2017 – Meet the nation’s most endangered monuments

August 25, 2017 – Hurricane Harvey Shakes Up Oil Prices

August 25, 2017 – Why are Bill Gates and Richard Branson investing in meat that costs $18,000 a pound?

August 25, 2017 – Michigan DNR reminds hunters to observe cervid importation regulations

August 25, 2017 – Artist takes part in groundbreaking exhibition

August 24, 2017 – By 2021, we’ll have lost more than 4,000 grocery stores

August 24, 2017- Women Who Care donates $19,500 to Escape Ministries

August 24, 2017 – Fennville Schools asking for $23M bond

August 24, 2017 – Downtown Holland parking ambassador starting next week

August 24, 2017 – Letter: Clear and present danger

August 24, 2017 – Interior Secretary Zinke won’t eliminate any national monuments

August 24, 2017 – Indianapolis LED Streetlight Upgrade Will Save More Than $800K Per Year

August 24, 2017 – As In-house Sustainable Sourcing Schemes Soar, Will Fairtrade Fade?

August 23, 2017 – Letter: Clean water crucial to making America great again

August 23, 2017 – ‘Not one drop’ of Poland Spring bottled water is from a spring, lawsuit claims

August 23, 2017 – Midwest researchers aim to make home energy management systems even smarter

August 23, 2017 – Organic produce becomes mainstream

August 23, 2017 – How much sugar in that cola? Panera to list it on its cups

August 22, 2017 – A coal country dispute over an alleged Trump promise unmet

August 23, 2017- As US Exports More Natural Gas, Manufacturers Worry About Increased Prices

August 22, 2017 – Sierra Magazine Cool Schools 2017 – Hope College listed as 156/227 schools Full List. Princeton Review: Green College 2018 Honor Roll

August 21, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Award-winning series celebrates local sustainability

August 22, 2017 – Green Roof Retrofits Relieve Stormwater Systems (and Look Lovely)

August 20, 2017 – Meet Destination Education’s new college advisers

August 19, 2017 – How a middle-aged Midwestern nobody made his mark in the Arctic

August 18, 2017 – Asian carp caught near Lake Michigan got past electric barriers

August 18, 2017 – GHI projects receive Governor’s Energy Excellence Award nomination

August 18, 2017 – Holland votes to file lawsuit against company involved in Holland Energy Park project

August 18, 2017 – THE MEETING OF THE FUTURE IS GREEN AND LOOKS LIKE THIS

August 17, 2017 – Michigan Legislature Expands Program Serving Locally-Grown Food in Schools

August 17, 2017 – It’s Time to Tie Executive Compensation to Sustainability

August 17, 2017 – Cream Cheese Plant Uses ‘Unsustainable & Disruptive’ Amounts of Water

August 16, 2017 – MESSAGE TO THE HOPE COMMUNITY by Rev. Dennis Voskuil

August 16, 2017 – Method Cleaning Products To Display How2Recycle Labels

August 15, 2017 – SMELLS OF THE CITY

August 15, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Creative recycling can help Michigan catch up

August 15, 2017 – Annual Michigan Economic Developers Association meeting held in Holland

August 15, 2017 – 5 simple ways to stay connected as a family on a budget

August 15, 2017 – Hudsonville receives tree-planting grant

August 15, 2017 – West Olive’s Ottawa School turns 150

August 15, 2017 – Holland police surprise special needs student

August 15, 2017 – Eclipse viewers need special glasses, astronomers say

August 15, 2017 – Infant mortality rate rises 35% in Holland

August 15, 2017 – EXHIBITION “OUT OF NATURE” TO OPEN ON AUG. 24

August 14, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Creative recycling can help Michigan catch up

August 14, 2017 – Developer wants industrial district in Holland for future tax abatement

August 14, 2017 – UNIQUE REUNION CELEBRATES HOPE PROFESSOR AND THE SCIENCES

August 11, 2017 – Poll: Most say time to stop trying to repeal ‘Obamacare’

August 10, 2017 – Building Healthy Communities encourages Michigan schools to apply for wellness program

August 10, 2017 – Hope College’s Bultman Center provides dedicated student space

August 10, 2017 – Latino Republicans see political peril in Trump immigration plan

August 10, 2017 – Holland reacts to the election of Raul Garcia

August 10, 2017 – Millennials are driving a $9 trillion change in investing

August 10, 2017 – Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance Announces New Executive Director

August 9, 2017 – FORMER TRUSTEE CHAIR MAX DE PREE DIES

August 9, 2017 – NSF GRANT SUPPORTS HOPE COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT OF BIO-INSPIRED APPROACH TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKES

August 8, 2017 – 6 Essential Truths That Will Help the World Urbanize Sustainably

August 7, 2017 –Living Sustainably: 5 ways to put green into back to school

August 7, 2017 – STUDENTS HONORED DURING NATIONAL MATHEMATICS CONFERENCE FOR PRESENTATIONS ON BIRD SONG RESEARCH

August 7, 2017 – Government Report Finds Drastic Impact of Climate Change on U.S.

August 7, 2017 – Secretary Perdue Announces $16.8 Million to Encourage SNAP Participants to Purchase Healthy Foods

August 7, 2017 – Wrangler to Cotton Farmers: Improve Sustainability, Boosts Profits, We’ll Help

August 7, 2017 – Former VW Exec Pleads Guilty to Helping Car Maker Cheat Emissions Standards in the US

August 7, 2017 – DuPont Continues to Settle Environmental Lawsuits, Adds Another $50M

August 7, 2017 – World’s Largest Companies Push Record Growth in Renewable Energy

August 7, 2017 – Commercial Building Retrofits Follow Ultra-Low Energy Trend

August 6, 2017 – HITLER’S AMERICAN MODEL–AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR RACE IN THE U.S. TODAY

August 5, 2017 – Students get prekindergarten help with Start School Ready

August 4, 2017 – Camp Sunshine creates fun space for developmentally disabled

August 4, 2017 – Spring & Summer Sustainability Slants: Supply Chain, Packaging & Apparel

August 4, 2017 – The hidden environmental costs of dog and cat food

August 4, 2017 – Class to offer mountain biking basics

August 4, 2017 – How Much Motor City Water Does Coke Use, and What Does It Cost ‘Em?

August 4, 2017 – PepsiCo Faces Activist Outrage, Plus Threats of More to Come

August 4, 2017 – Report Points Finger at US Timber Distributors for Illegal Deforestation in PNG

August 3, 2017 – Third Annual Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards Honor Michiganders for Innovative Energy Solutions (Finalists include public, private efforts to reduce energy waste) Holland has been involved in three of the finalist projects. Information about the program can be found at http://mienergyexcellence.org/

August 3, 2017 – Holland state park, DNR host stop invasives week

August 3, 2017 – The Mediterranean diet works – but not if you’re poor, a study finds

August 3, 2017 – NSF GRANT SUPPORTS EXPANSION OF ONLINE RESOURCE FOR TEACHING INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

August 3, 2017 – Walmart: Chemical Footprint Reporting Is Key to Creating Sustainable Stuff

August 2, 2017 – Hope College earns STARS Silver rating

August 2, 2017 – Sustainability in school isn’t as hard as you think (Going green in your dorm isn’t as hard as you think)

August 2, 2017 – Must-have elements for building a sustainable new home

August 2, 2017 – UPDATE: Civic Center work halted during investigation of fatal accident

August 2, 2017 – Hitting the Goals of the Paris Agreement Requires Urgent Business Support

August 1, 2017 – 5 tips for taking the stress out of ‘back to after school’

August 1, 2017 – Michigan DNR to accept pre-proposals for aquatic habitat grants

August 1, 2017 – How Alternative Energy Affects Electricity Pricing

Living Sustainably: Gardening a Different Way Helps Students Learn

By Julie Clark, Hope College Upward Bound
Ninth-grade students from Hope College’s TRIO Upward Bound program did some hands-on learning this summer as they took care of a garden that was growing in an unusual place.

As a part of the program’s launch into project based learning, the students grew vegetables in two kiddie pools filled with dirt on Hope’s campus. Urban farming was the learning focus this summer for the ninth graders.
Students grew lettuce, regular and cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots. They researched the basic care of each vegetable and learned which plants were weeds that needed to be pulled.
When a problem arose with the cucumber plant, they did further research to figure out what was wrong and how to treat it. As the cucumbers needed more space to grow, students were given stakes and twine, which they used to create their own trellises for the cucumber plants to climb.
As the cherry tomatoes grew, some of the teens enjoyed picking and eating them straight from the vine. Even a teacher grew to love cherry tomatoes through this experience. Some of the students had never grown vegetables before, so it was a new and interesting experience for them. One student commented on how much they enjoyed watching everything grow. Another said that they enjoyed the
garden even though they don’t like to eat a lot of vegetables.

At the end of the summer session, the students enjoyed the fruits of their labor as they were able to eat a salad using the vegetables that came from their garden. Through this experience, students learned that you can be creative when growing your own food and use just about anything that will hold soil.
This kind of project based learning was made possible through the college’s TRIO Upward Bound program. The federally funded college readiness program helps high school students learn the skills needed to succeed in high school and helps prepare them for college and college life.
During the academic year, students receive tutoring from Hope College students twice a week on campus. They also participate in Friday sessions once a month, participate in SAT prep workshops, and older students receive help applying for college.
During the summer session, students take six weeks of classes, explore possible careers and visit college campuses.
High school students from Holland, West Ottawa, and Fennville school districts can participate in the program at Hope. Students must apply and meet certain criteria. Go to: https://hope.edu/offices/upward-bound/ for more information.

 Julie Clark is a teacher at Hope College’s Upward Bound program. This was her sixth summer with the program. Having always had a garden growing up, she enjoyed sharing her gardening knowledge with the students.

PHOTO CUTLINE–
Gardening2.jpg or gardening1.jpg Students in Hope College’s Upward Bound summer program learned how easy urban gardening can be, using kiddie swimming pools.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme:
Community Knowledge: The collective knowledge and energy of the community is an incredible resource that must be channeled to where it is needed.

Living Sustainably: Award-winning series celebrates local sustainability

By Michelle Gibbs, Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute

Back by popular demand, the Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore series is offering another great line-up of educational events sharing how Holland is becoming a more sustainable community.
The annual series began in the fall of 2014, and the planning team’s mission is to educate and empower citizens to live more sustainably through these free educational events.

Each month, as part of our upcoming 2017-2018 series, we will share information about work being done as it relates to the city’s “Sustainability Framework.” The framework demonstrates the many ways in which sustainability awareness can improve our community’s future. It includes these seven themes:
 Smart Energy
 Economic Development
 Transportation
 Community & Neighborhood
 Quality of Life
 Community Knowledge
 Environmental Action & Awareness
The City of Holland Sustainability Committee created this seven-pillar framework to guide decisions about our future, ensuring Holland continues to be a world-class place to live, to do business, and to play.
We are using the framework to share information about our journey to become a more sustainable community. Find the 2016 Sustainability Report at www.hollandsustainabilityreport.org/.
In September 2016, Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore received the “2016 Top Project Award” from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Neighborhood Environmental Partners Program.
The advocacy group was recognized for its 2015 educational series and for collaborating with 50 local partners on behalf of sustainability education. The announcement was made at the First Annual Michigan Sustainability Conference, held in Grand Rapids.
The Living Sustainably series is sponsored by the following organizations, with additional endorsing partners that assist with individual events relevant to their respective missions:
 City of Holland, as part of the Sustainability Committee’s efforts,
 GreenMichigan.org,
 Herrick District Library, as part of the library’s adult programming series,
 Hope College, as part of the Sustainability Institute,
 League of Women Voters,
 Meijer Campus of Grand Valley State University, as part of the university’s commitment to sustainability, and
 West Michigan Environmental Action Council.
Plan now to attend the fall and winter events, shown in the list.
Flyers can be found under the “Events” section at www.hope.edu/sustainability-institute or follow us on Facebook by searching for “Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore.”
Details about the spring 2018 line-up will be available later this fall. We look forward to having you join us!
 Michelle Gibbs is director of the Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute. The vision for the Institute is a healthy and economically vibrant community that promotes environmental stewardship and mutual respect for people and the planet. Our mission is to foster collaborative efforts to infuse sustainability into the minds and practices of the greater Holland community.

Save the Dates: Living Sustainably Event Schedule
These Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore programs all will be 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
“Quality of Life: The Macatawa Watershed,” Tuesday, Sept. 12, at Herrick District Library.
“Smart Energy: Holland Energy Park – Resource. Destination. Gateway.,” Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Holland Energy Park. (RSVP required due to limited space). RSVP: http://bit.ly/visit-holland-energy-park
“Community and Neighborhood: Recycling, It’s not just 3R’s. Hint: It’s 8R’s.,” Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Herrick District Library.
“Economic Development: Forecasting a Sustainable Government,” Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Herrick District Library.

PHOTO CUTLINES –
Lake mac.jpg (Courtesy of the City of Holland) The Lake Macatawa watershed’s role in Holland’s quality of life is the focus of the first of the Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore fall programs.

This Week’s Sustainability Framework Theme:
Community Knowledge: The collective knowledge of the community is an incredible resource, that knowledge and energy must be channeled to where it is needed.

Living Sustainably Along the Lakeshore Upcoming Events

The series is led by the Holland-Hope College Sustainability-Institute as part of their community education programming. The series follows the City of Holland’s Sustainability Framework for creating a more sustainable community for all. https://hollandsustainabilityreport.org/

LSATL fall 2017 events (flyer)

We offer FREE educational events which aim to educate and empower Holland area residents to live more sustainably. The series is brought to you by the following sponsor organizations, with additional endorsing partners that assist with individual events relevant to their respective missions:

-City of Holland, as part of the Sustainability Committee’s efforts
-GreenMichigan
-Herrick District Library, as part of the Library’s adult programming series
-Hope College, as part of the Sustainability Institute
-League of Women Voters, as part of the Natural Resource Committee’s efforts
-Meijer Campus of Grand Valley State University, as part of the University’s commitment to sustainability
-West Michigan Environmental Action Council

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