What's going on?
Michigan DNR Tree Planting Project
Now is the time for trees – plant it forward!
Dipping a toe into the solar power pond
Local engineer's adventure into solar
More to read on Sustainable Fashion
We're always looking for fresh ideas on what we can learn and do to help the environment, today, with choices we make in our everyday lives. We found this book on Amazon, but we love to see our communities thrive so it helps if you can order it locally : )
'A funny, achievable guide' Observer
'Lauren Bravo is one of my favourite writers' Dolly Alderton 'Bravo will inspire you to repair, recycle and give old items a new lease of life' Stylist You probably know the statistics: global clothing production has roughly doubled in just 15 years, and every year an estimated 300,000 tonnes of used clothing ends up in UK landfill. Fast fashion is the ultimate toxic relationship. It's bad news for the planet, our brains and our bank balances. We can't go on like this; our shopping habits need an overhaul. Journalist Lauren Bravo loves clothes more than anything, but she's called time on her affair with fast fashion in search of a slower, saner way of dressing. In this book, she'll help you do the same. How To Break Up With Fast Fashion will help you to change your mindset, fall back in love with your wardrobe and embrace more sustainable ways of shopping - from the clothes swap to the charity shop. Full of refreshing honesty and realistic advice, Lauren will inspire you to repair, recycle and give your unloved items a new lease of life without sacrificing your style. |
Almanac for February
"Where have all the monarchs gone?" and more...
Want to know more about Nature Fest 2024?
@Elk Rapids' Vets Memorial Park on June 8, 2024 11 a - 2 p
Lots of work is going on behind the scenes for Nature Fest 2024 right now. Our expanded plans include hosting most of our 2022 participants plus many new organizations and more visitor activities. Here's a reminder of what we did in 2022:
2024 Kickoff - Green ER Committee Meeting - 1/10/2024 5 - 7 pm
We are excited to kick-off the new year with good people doing good works for our planet at Townline (location)
It was a fun meeting - We're off in running in 2024! It's always fun to get together and we have a lot of exciting work planned for the year.
Special thanks for all the volunteer work our members do year after year, Royce for arranging our 2024 kickoff meeting at Townline, Townline for their lovely facility and turning the heat up for us and of course, Rick Kane for taking these great pics.
Special thanks for all the volunteer work our members do year after year, Royce for arranging our 2024 kickoff meeting at Townline, Townline for their lovely facility and turning the heat up for us and of course, Rick Kane for taking these great pics.
Green ER Kickoff Meeting
Village of Elk Rapids Shoreline Management Coordinator Open Position
Attached below is a recent job posting on the village website, prompted by our initiation and promotion of the Elk River Shoreline Assessment, done by Tip of the Mitt Watershed, in Petoskey.
mhc-position-description-shoreline-management-coordinator-village-of-elk-rapids.pdf | |
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Prom is around the corner - Shop Tinker Tailor on Feb 16-17 for sustainable formal wear!
We are so excited about this effort, helping keep single use fashion out of landfills! Thanks Tinker Tailor and the Elk Rapids High School Eco Club for your leadership and enthusiasm!
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Nature Fest 2024 Planning - So Exciting!
The Green ER Committee met on 11/29/2023 to form Nature Fest 2024 Teams. We're so lucky to have such wonderful people with so many great ideas making this happen - This is going to be fun!
We met at the Elk Rapids Historical Museum - It's beautifully decorated for the holidays - Make sure you visit this season!
Celebrate!
See this story about the rescue, rehabilitation and release of this majestic owl back to its neighborhood on Saturday, November 13th 2023 at 4:30 in the Ludington State Park!
Village of Elk Rapids Year End Review - Green Elk Rapids
Green Elk Rapids Accomplishments - 2023
Our committee members make so many contributions to our community. Thank you for everything you do!!!
Our committee members make so many contributions to our community. Thank you for everything you do!!!
Have you heard about 30 x 30?
30 by 30 (or 30x30) is a worldwide initiative for governments to designate 30% of Earth's land and ocean area as protected areas by 2030.[1][2] The target was proposed by a 2019 article in Science Advances, "A Global Deal for Nature: Guiding principles, milestones, and targets", highlighting the need for expanded nature conservation efforts to mitigate climate change.[3][4] Launched by the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People in 2020, more than 50 nations had agreed to the initiative by January 2021,[5] which has increased to more than 100 countries by October 2022.[6]
Michigan's bill to support this initiative is HR25, it has not been approved yet.
Michigan's bill to support this initiative is HR25, it has not been approved yet.
Researchers reveal 9000-Year-Old ‘Stonehenge-Like’ Structure in Lake Michigan
Recently, Grand Traverse Bay unveiled a remarkable surprise to the world—a prehistoric structure, reminiscent of England's iconic Stonehenge, was uncovered by Dr. Mark Holley, a distinguished professor of underwater archaeology at Northwestern Michigan University.... more
October Almanac
We appreciate organizations like Skegemog Raptor Center who help magnificent birds, like this one, when they get injured. Thanks to the efforts of the Ludington police department, she was carefully freed from the grill of the vehicle that struck her. The police chief met James Manley from Skegemog Raptor Center around midnight, halfway between the clinic and Ludington. We are excited with the progress she has made in her recovery.
Learn more about Native Landscape - Michigan State University Resources
Why plant a native landscape? MSU has a cornucopia of resources here to help us learn about the role native landscaping plays in the ecosystem.
MSU also has videos and webinars about native landscaping. For those who want to know more about the science of native plants and their function, entomologists are key experts. Here is Doug Landis, an MSU entomologist with some in-depth science!
Village Council Adopts Shoreline Assessment Action Plan - 10/3/2023
Thanks to all that showed their support for the Elk River Shoreline Assessment. The presentation by Tip of Mitt was outstanding. We're glad the Village Council voted to form a committee - we hope they will be able to facilitate these recommendations into actions!
The "Shoreline Assessment Report" was on the 10/3/2023 agenda at the Elk Rapids Government Center - Agenda. Tip of the Mitt prepared this excellent assessment of the Elk River shoreline that also provides a roadmap for Elk Rapids to protect this fragile resource that we all treasure.
We appreciate this action taken by our Village Government, thank you!
We appreciate this action taken by our Village Government, thank you!
Support Local Vintage!
We are thrilled to see local opportunities to make sustainable clothing choices in Elk Rapids! Tinker Tailor is now offering a vintage clothing line - Let's support new (old) ways to find the clothes we love to wear that are good for our planet!
Get your Native Landscape on Doug Tallamy's Homegrown National Park Map!
The Homegrown National Park map turns greener as more people participate across the US. Watch this idea take root and grow. Some Green ER members have started to register: It's easy to do - It's easy to create an account and add your plantings!
Thanks to all of those who helped bring Doug Tallamy to Elk Rapids!
We wanted to make the Elk Rapids News article on Doug Tallamy's visit to Elk Rapids available to those who don't get it at their residence. Green Elk Rapids appreciates all the community support for educational events such as this. Thank you for the donations that were collected by Green Elk Rapids for this event that were used to bring Doug here and rent HERTHA. Our volunteers promoted the event, provided a place for Doug to stay while he was here, set up the chairs (and cleaned up), provided the lovely flavored water and took pictures during the event. Doug also signed and sold all of his books that were available during the event! Thanks to the underwriters of the event, our wonderful volunteers and Horizen Books who all helped to make this happen.
Also thanks to the folks who attended the event: community members, Village Government trustees and regional leaders working to protect the environment who came to hear this important educational message and help spread the word about these inspiring ideas. Also thanks to the Elk Rapids News for publishing a story about it!
Now we can put these ideas are put into practice and celebrate the results!
Now we can put these ideas are put into practice and celebrate the results!
ElkRapidsNews-DougTallamy.pdf | |
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Doug Tallamy Underwriters:
Fall is a great time to plant natives...Doug Tallamy has a list of native keystone plants that support nature in our backyard, here are some plants he recommends:
For the Midwest: Midwest: Oaks, willows, birches, cherries, and maples
also:
Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)
Asters (Aster spp.)
Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
Milkweeds
Penstemons
Liatris
Beebalm
also:
Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)
Asters (Aster spp.)
Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
Milkweeds
Penstemons
Liatris
Beebalm
Ever wonder why the Elk Rapids stretch of US 31 is so clean?
Back in 2015, a group of Green Elk Rapids volunteers began picking up trash on the 2 mile stretch of US 31 in the Village of Elk Rapids. They have continued to pickup trash three times a year (Spring, Summer, and Fall) for the last 8 years averaging 30 bags per season!
A clean environment makes the world a better place for all, thank you Gary and the other Green Elk Rapids Volunteers for their efforts to make Elk Rapids a great place to live!
A clean environment makes the world a better place for all, thank you Gary and the other Green Elk Rapids Volunteers for their efforts to make Elk Rapids a great place to live!
Transformative
Some experiences in life can be pivot points that change a trajectory. We think Doug Tallamy's Homegrown National Park movement is one of them.
Homegrown National Park is an idea, a trajectory, into a positive direction that gives each of us the opportunity to have a positive impact. Doug shared his roadmap of how to welcome nature into our yards and communities with small acts of planting key native species and removing invasives. These small acts done by many can create that huge positive trajectory.
Thank you Doug for sharing your uplifting message of knowledge and hope for nature (and ourselves) with our community!
Homegrown National Park is an idea, a trajectory, into a positive direction that gives each of us the opportunity to have a positive impact. Doug shared his roadmap of how to welcome nature into our yards and communities with small acts of planting key native species and removing invasives. These small acts done by many can create that huge positive trajectory.
Thank you Doug for sharing your uplifting message of knowledge and hope for nature (and ourselves) with our community!
We (humans) really are nature's best hope.
Exciting - Sally Barber's Article about Doug Tallamy
Sally wrote a great article about Doug Tallamy's "Grow your own National Park" talk in Elk Rapids on August 24th!
Bringing Doug Tallamy to Elk Rapids could not happen without the generous support of the following Green Elk Rapids partners, to which we give our sincere thanks:
Special Thanks to our Underwriters!
Also Thanks to our supporters:
Beautiful Native Landscaping
What if you could create a beautiful landscape in your yard with plants that came well-adapted to your soil and climate? There would be less need for fertilizing. You could back off the watering, saving time and energy as well as water. When fall sets in, you’d need fewer protective barriers to prepare your landscape for winter cold. These hardy plants would be perennials with incredible root systems that rebuild the soil, help filter water and better resist pests. When you purchase the plants, “buying local” would be a natural thing to do. You can reap all these benefits by planting native plants...More
Spotlight on Doug Tallamy
Green Elk Rapids will highlight some of Doug's work in preparation of getting to see him in person this August at HERTH!
"The Nature of Oaks." Renowned entomologist, environmentalist, and best-selling author Doug Tallamy joins us to discuss why "keystone" species are crucial to any ecosystem and why oak trees spectacularly fill that niche in so many places.
DNR Donates Poached Game to Communities
"Green Intentions" exhibit at the Elk Rapids Government Center
What happens when a conservation-minded group becomes a committee of the local government? The Elk Rapids Government Center is currently hosting the Green Elk Rapids “Green Intentions” display. “Green Intentions “ is a scaled-down version of the exhibit displayed at Dennos Museum in 2022, and is expected to travel to other locations during the coming year. The "Green Intentions" display chronicles the efforts of the "Green Elk Rapids" committee to raise awareness and appreciation for environmental issues and the natural environment.
ONGOING PROJECTS:
MDOT highway pick-up: To be announced
Beach pick-up: To be announced
MDOT highway pick-up: To be announced
Beach pick-up: To be announced
COMMUNITY INVITATION - Join us!
Green Elk Rapids is a local volunteer organization committed to raising awareness of environmental issues.
We pursue our mission through collaboration with local organizations such as schools, village government, businesses, and community organizations. Our programs have included films, educational forums, nature hikes, student projects, guest speakers, and special community service activities - Plus the debut of Nature Fest in 2022. |
The beginning of Green Elk Rapids
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“The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”
—Richard Louv
Elk Rapids Info |
Telephone231-264-0618
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E-Mail
info.greenelkrapids@gmail.com
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