What's going on?

New!
November Issue of the Green Elk Rapids Almanac

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Happy Year Two to the Skegemog Raptor Center!

Great Fall Lawn Care Techniques from Torch Conservation Center!

Fallen leaves = Natural Fertilizer for Your Lawn and Gardens
TRUE BLUE News
Do You Know?
Evergreen trees, like pines, cedars and spruces,
stay green year-round because their leaves (or needles)
are covered with a thick wax called resin and
contain chemicals that prevent freezing.

Deciduous trees during the summer months
have their natural leaf color, red, yellow and orange pigments
masked by green chlorophyll.

The warm colors become visible once chlorophyll production
decreases in the fall as daylight hours diminish.

Fallen leaves can act as natural fertilizer for your lawn and your garden beds.
Fall Bouquet                                                    Photo: Brian Apley
Key Facts:
Fallen leaves are a critical part of our woodland ecosystem.

Fallen leaves provide important habitat for many creatures:
bumble bee queens, fireflies, caterpillars, earthworms, pillbugs,
other insects, salamanders, wood frogs, box turtles and toads.

Fallen leaves also provide fertilizer for the soil.

As leaves decompose over the winter, they add organic matter and critical nutrients 
to the soil, which nourish the trillium and Dutchman’s breeches we love seeing in the spring.

Mimic the wisdom of the woodland ecosystem in your yard.

Just as leaves fertilize the forest floor, the nutrients released as leaves decay, can fertilize your lawn and garden beds.
Nutrient-rich Autumn Leaves                                  Photo: Torch Conservation Center
Research shows leaves benefit lawns.

Leaves shredded with a lawn mower become natural fertilizer.

The leaf bits sift down into your lawn, break down,
provide nutrients and support microbes to build healthy soil and healthy grass.

Landscaping plants, perennial and vegetable gardens benefit
from the fertilizing effect of leaves, too, when fallen leaves cover their root zones.

Plus, the leaves insulate perennials and keep soil in place over the winter.
                                                                  Photo: Torch Conservation Center
Show You Care!
Copy nature.
Use leaves to improve the quality of your soil!

No time to do it this weekend when temperatures will reach 70° F, then do it in the spring.

Step 1. Mulch fallen leaves on your lawn with a mower.
Mulched leaf litter, along with a season of grass clippings
left on your lawn, provide enough nutrients,
so there is NO need to add expensive chemical fertilizers.

Step 2. Leave your leaves as they fall on your gardens.
They break down, provide nutrients and build the soil.
Plus, they will suppress weeds from growing.

Step 3. Blow leaves from your deck and driveway into a pile.
They’ll decompose during the winter.
In the spring, use the remaining organic material to fertilize your garden beds.

Step 4. Burning leaves is not good.
Burning releases carbon dioxide, particulates
and carcinogenic hydrocarbons into the atmosphere.

Step 5. Blowing or raking leaves into the lake is not good, either.
Leaves in the lake will decompose, release nutrients and feed algae.
The bottom of lake near shore will have a squishy, black bottom.

If you see a neighbor or lawn service blowing leaves into the lake,
Please let them know how this harms the lake.
They may not be aware of the negative impacts.

Learn more at Building Healthy Soil.
Torch Lake in an Autumn Mood                                  Photo: Barbara Lockrey
Sources:
Joyner, L.  October 15, 2022 8 ways to repurpose fallen autumn leaves Country Living
Michigan State University
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Pitofsky, M.  October 14, 2022, You probably don’t need to rake your leaves this fall, experts say. Here’s why.  USA today
Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, wpnr.org
Please show your support for TRUE BLUE News by
Donating to Torch Conservation Center at conservetorch.org
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Torch Conservation Center · P. O. Box 178 · Alden, MI 49612 · USA 

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Green Suttons Bay - Saving Birds Thru Habitat Event! 

The Green Intentions exhibit will move from the Dennos Museum to the Village of Elk Rapids Offices at 315 Bridge Street, Elk Rapids Michigan in October/November 2022
Green Elk Rapids Exhibit at the Dennos Museum Center
Green Intentions:
​One Community Promoting Environmental Awareness
Visit our "Green Intentions"  exhibit that highlights activities by the Green Elk Rapids Committee since their inception in 2009...
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The start of Green Elk Rapids
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Kim and Royce in front of the Green Intentions exhibit at the Dennos Museum which is on display now
Showing was through September 2022

What a nice article about Nature Fest!

We are so thrilled to have such a nice article by Sally Barber in the Record-Eagle today!
Nature Fest explores the many paths of environmentalism​

Why were there so many QR code signs at Nature Fest?

Nature Fest is doing what it can to be a 'green' event: Each booth will have a reusable QR code sign that directs you to their website if you would like to reduce the number of paper handouts. Also, we are providing water in cups vs single use plastic bottles. Bring your own cup if you'd like to help reduce our environmental footprint! 

Click here to plan your visit Nature Fest

Find info about kids activities, find where participants are located, handicapped parking, public restrooms  and the schedule of events
We've got info to help you plan your trip to Elk Rapids for Nature Fest:  Nature Fest is located on a beautiful public beach on the Eastern Bay of Lake Michigan which has picnic tables and a sandy bottom for swimming. bring your beach and swim gear, your paddle board/kayak and make a day of it!

Nature Fest Mission*

*graphical display of Nature Fest Participants' mission statements

Nature Fest

June 18 2022, 11a - 3p
The Green Elk Rapids team is very excited to host this event and is still in the planning stages.

With charming Elk Rapids Township Hall as its hub, lots of exciting ideas, projects and family-friendly activities, Nature Fest will offer a fresh perspective for 2022.  If you're planning a trip to enjoy the beach and the quaint downtown - We'd love to see you on Saturday, June 18!

  • An interesting mix of 40 nature oriented organizations located in booths around beautiful Veterans' Memorial Park
  • Noted speakers
  • Activities for kids
  • Entertainment
  • Refreshments
Veterans' Memorial Park
​Memorial park features a modest beach on the Grand Traverse Bay and has plenty of space to spread out a blanket for a picnic. The north end has a basketball and tennis courts, with the southern end has a nice wooded area that is perfect for spotting local birds. There is a playground area perfect for young children.
Historic Elk Rapids Township Hall
ONGOING PROJECTS:
MDOT highway pick-up:  To be announced
Beach pick-up: To be announced

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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
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