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Strategic plan targets invasive species
The Superior Daily Telegram (11/17)
Douglas County’s Land Conservation Committee is forwarding a plan to the county board that takes aim at invasive species.
Mich. Clean Marina Program: Public-private partners work together to improve water quality
Grand Rapids Environmental News Examiner (11/9)
Partners from the public and private sector in Michigan are working together in a voluntary program to improve the quality of the Great Lakes.
Researchers seek funding for wind test site in Lake Michigan
Grand Rapids Environmental News Examiner (11/7)
In a recent article in The Muskegon Chronicle, it was reported that researchers at Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) cited a lack of year-around data (on wind platform testing) needed by prospective development companies.
COMMENTARY: Senate needs to pass clean energy act to help Michigan
The Grand Rapids Press (10/26)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was absolutely correct with his recent proclamation about the current condition of the Great Lakes State: "The State of Michigan," Reid declared from the Senate Floor, with a copy Time Magazine in his hand, "is in trouble."
First Nation women 'walk the environmental talk'
WeNews (10/23)
Tomorrow's global day of climate activism aims for media and political attention. First Nation women have another way. Since 2003, they've walked the shoreline of a Great Lake or major river, meditating on the needs of an unborn generation.
City making big push for water school
The Business Journal (10/23)
The push is on to convince the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee that the best location for its new School of Freshwater Sciences is near the university’s existing Great Lakes Water Institute on East Greenfield Avenue.
What's going on in your neighborhood this month? Meet other people and learn together at recreational and educational events! Our new dynamic calendar is updated daily with current educational events.
7 | More information
Our communities will grow, and change is unstoppable. But we can either let growth proceed haphazardly, or we can plan for growth and move toward communities that are efficient, environment-friendly, and pleasant to live in or visit. This election year, citizens and politicians will start voicing their opinions on important issues, and sprawl is likely to be at the top of many peoples' list. Visit some of the following web sites and find out how you can make a difference.
Great Lakes Sustainable Land Use
Provides current news stories and links to helpful information on brownfields, greenfields, smart growth and planning. Also contains a library with more information resources.
American Farmland Trust
AFT works to stop the loss of productive farmland and to promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment.
Michigan Land Use Institute
Dedicated to fostering the Michigan economy in a way that protects land and communities.
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Promotes sustainable use of land and natural resources, protection of watersheds, and innovative solutions to longstanding problems.
Sierra Club Sprawl Solutions
Provides reports on sprawl and information on how you can help your community.
Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse
State-by-state information on developed lands, land-use laws, and population as well as smart growth.
Sustainable Minnesota Sprawl Resources
Provides reports and information concerning sprawl-related issues in Minnesota.
Friends chapters in the Great Lakes Region
1000 Friends of Minnesota
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
1000 Friends of Wisconsin
References:
Breaking the Sprawl Addiction, Great Lakes Bulletin, Issue 11. Michigan Land Use Institute, March 2000.
The Dark Side of the American Dream, The Costs and Consequences of Suburban Sprawl. Sierra Club, 1998.
Sprawl Report 2000. Sierra Club, 2000.
Langdon, Philip. How Portland Does It, The Atlantic Monthly. November 1992.
Lockwood, Charles. To Sprawl or Not to Sprawl, Environmental News Network. October 27, 1999.
Schneider, Keith. Michigan can learn from Ohio on ways to fight sprawl, Detroit Free Press. January 3, 1999.
Graphic: Farmland under development. Copyright Michigan Land Use Institute, photography by Patrick Owen