©2004 Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council
P.O. Box 17164, Lansing, Michigan 48901-7164
(517) 214-5684 jessicayorko@sustainablesolutions.biz
Mid-MEAC News and Events
Stream monitoring on the
west branch of Red Cedar
Volunteer stream monitoring
training
Bingham walks and bikes to
school
Build Your Own Rain Barrel
Workshop

Saturday, March 6
MSU Plant and Soil Science Greenhouse

The cost per barrel is $40. This price includes
all  the  parts  necessary  for  the  basic
construction of your barrel during the
workshop and a copy of the instructions.
Refreshments will be provided. Be sure to
include your name, email, phone, and time
preference (9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m., or
11 a.m. - noon). Confirmation of your
registration with assigned time slot and a
copy of the instructions will be emailed to
you prior to the workshop. Please identify
your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice for time slot
assignment. For more information, email
Carey Loveland at
loveland@msu.edu.


March 5 Mid-MEAC Land Use Lunch

Mid-MEAC's First Friday lunch will be held on
March 5th.   A light buffet lunch (suggested
donation $5) will be available; all are welcome; no need to rsvp.  The lunch is held at Central
United Methodist Church, 215 N Capitol Ave, from noon to 1.   

Laura Delind and Linda Anderson will describe their work to date to develop an urban farm in the
floodplain on the Eastside of Lansing:  Why an urban farm?  Why this neighborhood?  What's it
going to take to create a farm?  Who's involved?  What will be done with the food that's grown?  
What else might happen with vacant lots in this neighborhood besides a farm?   


April 2 Mid-MEAC Land Use Lunch

Landon Bartley, City Planner for City of Grand Rapids, will speak on the subject of greening the
building and zoning codes -- that is, incorporating environmental benefits from standards such as
Energy Star and LEED into local ordinances and municipal standards -- at the April 2
First Friday
Land Use Luncheon
. The monthly luncheons, sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Environmental
Action Council, include a buffet lunch, presentation by an expert speaker, and Q&A. They are held
from noon to 1:00 at the Central United Methodist Church at Capitol and Ottawa.  


Low Impact Development Events - March 25

Protect your property from flooding, save money, and  help the environment using Low Impact
Development (LID):

  • LID captures rainwater for reuse.
  • LID absorbs rainwater to help prevent flooding.
  • LID renews groundwater supplies for drinking water.
  • LID cleans rainwater that has collected pollution (like litter, dirt, and oil) from our roofs and
    paved areas, instead of sending it into our rivers.
  • LID is simple, affordable, and easier than maintaining big lawns and paved areas.

The Greater Lansing Regional Committee (for Stormwater Management) is hosting a series of
presentations from experts on many different topics related to stormwater management and low
impact development. The committee expects the series to span throughout the entire year.
Presentations will be held on the last Thursday of every month. February 25: Grey Water Systems,
David Christian, DC Engineering, 2 p.m. Lansing Twp Hall. March 25: Pervious Concrete, Aaron
Harris, MI Concrete Association, 2 p.m.Lansing Twp. More information at
www.mywatersheds.org
and
www.midmeac.org/LID


Volunteer!

Walk and Bike Lansing! is seeking volunteers to help with a condition inventory of Lansing
sidewalks in 2010. Training will begin in March, assessments in April. Contact Payal Ravani to
sign up and get details:
payal.ravani@gmail.com or 248-342-1695.


Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support (MEECS) Trainings -
March 4

3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Lansing Center, Lansing, MichiganTrainings will be held on each of the five
MEECS units: Air Quality, Ecosystems & Biodiversity, Energy Resources, Land Use, and Water
Quality. www.michigan.gov/deq-meecs Teachers and nonformal educators are welcome to enroll.
Register online at www.deq.state.mi.us/eforms/meecsregistration.html. $35.00. SB-CEU credits
will be available for those interested.  Visit
www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops for more info.


Quiet Water Symposium - March 6

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Adults $8.00  -  under 12  Free. At the Pavilion for Livestock and Agriculture
Education (Farm Lane, south of Mt Hope - on the campus of MSU). The Quiet Water Symposium
celebrates non-motorized outdoor recreation and a shared concern for our Great Lakes
Environment. At the Symposium visitors will find presentations by world famous authors,
photographers, and expedition travelers. Other presentations may cover skills, safety, local and
distant destinations. There may be presentations on bicycling, sailing, diving, and history. The
Symposium has a wide range of exhibits on the show floor. You will find clubs and nature centers.
Handcrafted and historic watercraft will be on display. Biking, hiking and water trails are
represented. Conservation and watershed groups are available. A number of outfitters and
liveries are represented to support your outdoor adventures.  We have a growing selection of
outdoor oriented retailers as well. More info at
www.quietwatersymposium.org/.


Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance Conference - March 5-6

Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance (MOFFA) will host its annual conference at the Kellogg
Conference Center on MSU campus, in East Lansing, Michigan on March 5-6, 2010. The theme of
the event is "Michigan Organic: Seeds, Soil, and Health." The conference, which is open to the
public, features educational sessions, exhibits and networking opportunities for those interested
in all things organic. This year's event will host keynote speaker Jeffrey M. Smith, founder of the
Institute of Responsible Technology, and bestselling author and leading global spokesperson on
the health dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's), and speaker C.R. Lawn, a
reputable seed company owner of Fedco Seeds and MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and
Gardeners Association) board member. The event is expected to feature 30 exhibitors and host
300 attendees. Registration for both exhibitors and attendees is available now online. Conference
admission ranges from $25 to $100 for the full conference. Student advance registration is $50
for both days. For more information, or to register, visit
www.moffa.org or call the MOFFA office at
248.262.6826.


Michigan Bicycle Summit - March 27

Andy Clarke, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists, will keynote LMB's 2010
Michigan Bicycle Summit, and Chris Phelan, founder of the Ride of Silence, will be a special
guest. Come meet and greet these two nationally known bicycle advocates on March 27 in
Lansing, MI. Details at
www.lmb.org or 334-9100.


Grand River Expedition -  July 14-26

Drawing on experience from Expeditions in 1990 and 2000, paddlers in canoes and kayaks will
explore and document today's conditions in Michigan's Grand River and its watershed.  We'll
contribute to the appreciation and awareness of the Grand and how it connects our communities
across the state. Learn more at
michigan.sierraclub.org/issues/greatlakes/articles/gre2010.html


Ingham County Parks

Ingham County is facing budget deficit problems, and may cut funding to the Ingham County
Parks (Hawk Island, Burchfield, Lake Lansing, Potter Park). To voice your thoughts and feelings,
send a quick e-mail to the County Services Committee (Becky Bennett at
bennett@ingham.org)
and Commissioner Dale Copedge, and contact other County Commissioners at:
www.ingham.
org/BC/BDOCOM.HTM


New Healthy Lifestyle Newsletter from Ingham County

The Ingham County Health Department, Public Health Services Division announces the release
of the first issue of 'Our Health: Examining Topics from Our Health is in Our Hands.' 'Our Health' is
a 1-page, quarterly brief focusing on a specific health topic among residents of Ingham County.
The first edition of 'Our Health'  entitled, "Physical Activity in Middle-aged & Older Adults in Ingham
County", focuses on the physical activity habits of middle-aged and older adults, one of the fastest
growing segments of our population. You can view the current issue in the 'Publication' page of
the Ingham County Health Department website or by clicking on the following link
http://hd.ingham.
org/media/11301/ichdphysicalactivityfactsheet.pdf  Upcoming topics of 'Our Health' include
diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular disease related deaths. Email
clarrieux@ingham.org to
subscribe.


Space to Plant Your Garden - Ingham County Land Bank

Have you considered growing a garden but don't have the space?  Would like to grow a garden
but don't know how?  Would like to show students how to grow a garden?  Or maybe partner with
that wonderful Senior neighbor who has always told those great stories about their past
gardening? The Ingham County Land Bank, has many vacant lots around Lansing that are just
waiting for a new look and the possibility to help feed a family, teach our students how to tend a
garden, simply beautify an area with flowers.  Contact the Land Bank for more information on this
wonderful idea and a way to help build a new relationship with someone by sharing time, teach
kids how to grow plants, or simply enjoying some down time for yourself.  Ingham County Land
Bank:  
http://www.inghamlandbank.org/, 267-5221, info@inghamlandbank.org.


Tri-County Appropriate Transportation Coalition

Tri-County Appropriate Transportation Coalition is a group of advocates in the Ingham, Clinton,
Eaton areas of Michigan who are interested in promoting bicycling, walking and other modes of
transportation which are generally more affordable, fun, healthy and not as polluting as other
modes. Join the google group at
http://groups.google.com/group/tcatc  or the facebook fan page
at Tri-County Appropriate Transportation Coalition or contact
flyingdutchman63@gmail.com.


Michigan Now - www.michigannow.org/

MICHIGANNOW.ORG is a one-stop resource for news and information about how Michigan can
succeed in the new economy. Beyond being a public radio news series, we showcase new
thinking, new technology, new products, and new ideas that have the potential to be catalysts for
Michigan's recovery.  

MICHIGANNOW.ORG is also featured in online magazines promoting Michigan cities and metro
areas, including Model D, Metromode, Concentrate, Capital Gains, and Rapid Growth. Chris
McCarus created our public radio news series in 2005. A former Peace Corps volunteer and BBC
reporter, McCarus has traveled the world getting the story. He is committed to covering news from
around the state and the country that reflects ingenuity, vision, hard work, and perseverance, and
that has the potential to put Michigan at the forefront of the nation's economic recovery.


Asian Carp

From www.stopasiancarp.com: Bighead carp grow to 100 pounds, have no stomach and eat up
to 40% of their bodyweight every day, eliminating food supplies for native fish and causing their
populations to crash. Visit the website to read more and sign an online petition.


Energy Tidbits

Want to get a monthly summary of energy-related project in Michigan? Energy Tidbits is free and
is prepared by John Sarver, Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth.  To subscribe,
contact
sarverj@michigan.gov.  Previous copies can be found at www.michigan.gov/energyoffice
under Publications.


Community Calendars

Local environmentalist LeRoy Harvey has created a wonderful online calendar of “green” events
in the Okemos/Haslett area. Scan it for local nature, outdoor, recycling, community planning, and
other environmentally-related events:  
http://suapi2.org/api/169/s/hc/options:p=c       
Thanks LeRoy!

You can find out about Lansing events at:
http://www.lansingmi.gov/calendar_news.jsp

And East Lansing events at: http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/Home/Modules/CityCalendar/


Lansing Adopts Complete Streets Ordinance

On August 17, 2009 the Lansing City Council adopted the Lansing Complete Streets Ordinance.
This new policy for Lansing states that the city will have a non-motorized network plan, and will
update it every 5 years. This is major step forward for Lansing to become a walk and bike friendly
city. The adoption of this policy is largely a function of the tremendous grassroots support of more
than 100 volunteers and supporters who collected 5,000+ signatures in May and June, sent more
than 80 letters to the City Council in August, gave more than 60 individual comments at the August
10 City Council meeting, and created and presented a photo gallery of Lansing’s incomplete
streets. Many people came together to raise awareness about the issue of Lansing’s incomplete
streets and the need for a non-motorized network plan. The message was heard by the Lansing
City Council, and we thank them for adopting the ordinance!

The next step is creating the non-motorized network plan. Many people have already given input
and participated in sessions about the plan. More input is needed. Visit
www.walkbikelansing.
com/designnetwork to learn more. Contact jessica@walkbikelansing.com if you would like to get
involved.


Mid-MEAC Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program

Mid-MEAC coordinates a volunteer stream monitoring program on the Red Cedar River, and is
looking for volunteers! Monitoring involves collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates (bugs).
Monitoring sessions are Saturdays from 9am-2pm, one held each spring and each fall. Bug
identification is handled on a separate day, typically in the evening from 5pm-7pm. We are always
looking for new volunteers to get involved in this program. Orientation and training are provided.
We currently monitor six sites located in Lansing, Okemos, Williamston, Stockbridge, and
Webberville. It’s a wonderful way to “get in touch with nature”, learn more about our ecosystems,
and collect valuable data about our local rivers and streams. We are currently scheduling our fall
session. Please contact contact
Chip Kosloski, at 517-507-1303 to learn more.


More News and Events:

Smart Commute bike
commuting classes
Stream monitoring on the
west branch of Red Cedar
Reflections in the Red Cedar
River
Become a Member Today!






Click here to learn about the
Smart Commute Program
and view the newly developed
Smart Commute Guide to the
Capital Area.   







Mid-MEAC is now on facebook
Click here to become a fan!
Mid-MEAC Membership/Donation
Volunteer stream monitoring
training
Bug Identification session
Biking on the Riverwalk
Smart Commuting on the bus
Bike lanes on MSU campus
Storm Drain Labeling
Stormwater drain off the west
branch of the Red Cedar
Mothers on the riverwalk
Smart Commuting Class
Searching for specimens
Support Bike Lanes!
Photo by Dan Burden
Sargent  Emmons smart
commuting
Smart Commuting mom
Mayor Virg Benero walks
Bingham students to school