What's going on?
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!
November Almanac
The most beautiful thing was the green fluffy moss around the trees...
Humble moss adding magic to the forest
Celebrate!
See this story and join attend the release of this majestic owl back to its neighborhood on Saturday, November 13th 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!!!
Slideshow presented to Village Council - Year End 2023
Next Green ER Committee Meeting: Nov 29th, 4:30 pm at Elk Rapids Historical Museum
Thank you to the Elk Rapids Area Historical for hosting the Green ER Committee Meeting this month! Looking forward to seeing everyone at 301 Traverse St, Elk Rapids, MI 49629
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.
Enjoy vintage decorations at the Elk Rapids Historical Museum
Stop in and let the charm of the past add richness to your holiday experience today!
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
Lake Michigan Stonehenge. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)
Art & Connection - Evening of Celebration and Reflection of our First Year in Art - Cancelled
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This event has been cancelled
Was November 9, 5:30 - 8:30 pm - Now Cancelled |
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.
This Great Horned Owl was struck by a vehicle and is recovering at Skegemog Raptor Center
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James Manley
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Native Landscape Design Techniques 101
Thanks to "Creating Sustainable Landscapes", an Ann Arbor based company for sharing wonderful native landscape design techniques that we can apply in our yards!
Structural Layer
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Perennial Layer
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Matrix Layer of Grass
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Putting It All Together!
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!
Click to read the Shoreline Assessment Report
Village Council meets at the Elk Rapids Government Center
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Outcome: Village Council voted to appoint the "Shoreline Assessment Action Plan Committee" (excerpt from the published agenda)
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Local Vintage!
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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!
Tinker Tailor's Rachele is growing a sustainable line of clothing!
Earth Day Film?
Here are some interesting titles - Let us know if you know of a great film to show in Elk Rapids for Earth Day 2024
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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!
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Next Green Elk Rapids Committee Meeting - End of November - TBD
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 |
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!
Green Elk Rapids Chairperson introducing Doug Tallamy at his presentation at HERTH
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!
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Also Thanks to our supporters:
Elk Rapids Garden Club
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Antrim County Conservation District
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The Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Emmet Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
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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
Garden with mixed native and non-native plants. Photo credit: Rebecca Finneran
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!
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Does planting with native plants mean my gardens and landscapes won't be as pretty? Doug shows techniques that result in beautiful home landscapes that support all mother nature's denizens.
One of the landscapes on "The Living Landscape" Podcast
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"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.
Enjoy a moment of majesty...
Peace, calm, awe in the California Redwoods
DNR Donates Poached Game to Communities
2023 Climate Incentives
As mentioned during our Green ER kickoff meeting last week, here is some info about green incentives available this year:
Getting away from fossil fuels – and saving money – just got a lot easier. If you’re looking to upgrade your home to be cleaner and more energy efficient, the federal government is offering some massive discounts starting in 2023 thanks to the newly enacted Inflation Reduction Act.
Coming In 2023: New Ways For Homeowners to Save Money While Fighting Climate Change
Coming In 2023: New Ways For Homeowners to Save Money While Fighting Climate Change
Public Law 117-169, 136 Stat. 1818 (August 16, 2022), commonly known as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), amended the credits for energy efficient home improvements under § 25C of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and residential energy property under § 25D of the Code. These FAQs provide details on the IRA's changes to these tax credits, information on eligible expenditures, and provides examples of how the credit limitations work.
Frequently asked questions about energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits
Frequently asked questions about energy efficient home improvements and residential clean energy property credits
Electric vehicle subsidies, Home energy efficiency tax credits, Heat pumps and wood-burning stoves, Electrification rebates, Solar, batteries and geothermal, Funds for farmers, Emissions impact
Hot deals: A consumer’s guide to the new climate law
Hot deals: A consumer’s guide to the new climate law
Thanks to all the Green Elk Rapids Committee Members Who Attended 2023 Kickoff!
Green Elk Rapids enjoyed an energizing start to 2023 at Townline Ciderworks last evening (1/18/2023). Our committee members weighed in on various activities under consideration for 2023. We will be laying out those efforts for the year soon as well as providing resources available for homeowners to promote care of the environment. Thanks to Townline for hosting us - What a lovely venue💚
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A special thanks to our members who brought yummy snacks to share and Ellie Johnson who generously shares her time and tree expertise with us.
"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.
"Green Intentions" currently on display at the Elk Rapids Government Center
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Nature Fest 2022
Nature Fest 2022 was an outdoor event in Elk Rapids organized by Green Elk Rapids.
Organizations who participated in Nature Fest 2022:
Nature Fest Content Partners:
Nature Fest 2022 Sponsors:
Nature Fest Mission*
*graphical display of Nature Fest Participants' mission statements
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!
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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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Facebook Page
“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