Green Elk Rapids began in 2009 with a mission of promoting awareness and support for significant environmental issues at the community level. Our programs include educational events and activities, guest speakers, community hikes, special forums, and GreenER Reads. Please explore our pages to see all the work we have done in the past.
One Community at a Time: Green Elk Rapids Raises Awareness About Environmental Issues
Written by Royce Ragland
From nearly every vantage in Elk Rapids, you can see water. Elk River, Elk Lake, Birch Lake, Bass Lake, and east Grand Traverse Bay border this village 20 miles north of Traverse City. In addition, you can see sandy beaches, parks, natural areas, and conservation areas to the north and the south. A love of this special geography sparked the creation of a community group dedicated to protecting these places. In 2009, after a handful of citizens were briefed on the progressive environmental practices of their Department of Public Works, they persuaded the village council to showcase that little-known information at their next meeting. Inspired by the enthusiastic response, the group formed the Green Elk Rapids Committee (GreenER), received official recognition by the village council, and has expanded its activities every year since. Click here to read more
From nearly every vantage in Elk Rapids, you can see water. Elk River, Elk Lake, Birch Lake, Bass Lake, and east Grand Traverse Bay border this village 20 miles north of Traverse City. In addition, you can see sandy beaches, parks, natural areas, and conservation areas to the north and the south. A love of this special geography sparked the creation of a community group dedicated to protecting these places. In 2009, after a handful of citizens were briefed on the progressive environmental practices of their Department of Public Works, they persuaded the village council to showcase that little-known information at their next meeting. Inspired by the enthusiastic response, the group formed the Green Elk Rapids Committee (GreenER), received official recognition by the village council, and has expanded its activities every year since. Click here to read more