Ecology Center (Ann Arbor)

The Ecology Center is a membership-based nonprofit environmental organization based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It works at the local, state and national levels on environmental justice, health, waste, and community issues. It was formed after the first Earth Day in 1970 by community activists in Ann Arbor. Since its founding, it has run demonstrations and campaigns to promote recycling, health care, education, and awareness about healthy foods and products.[1]

Ecology Center
Founded1970
Ann Arbor, MI, United States
Type501(c)3
FocusEnvironmentalism, Global Warming, Renewable Energy
Location
  • Ann Arbor, MI, United States
MethodDirect action, lobbying, petition, demonstration
Key people
Mike Garfield, Director
Websiteecocenter.org

Vision

The vision of the Ecology Center is a world of healthy people living in harmony with the natural world. We promote clean industries making non-toxic, waste-free, bio-based products for a world fueled by clean energy, fed by local organic food, and housed in communities that enhance the natural world’s biological diversity.

History

After the first Earth Day in 1970, community activists in Ann Arbor formed the Ecology Center to promote safe and healthy environments for people. Among their demonstrations and projects the group created a recycling program which have since grown into a wholly owned green business. In the 1990s, the Ecology Center created one of the largest land preservation programs in the country. As of 2010 more than 8,000 acres of farms and natural areas in southeast Michigan have been protected.[2]

The Ecology Center led a statewide campaign that closed every single one of Michigan’s 157 medical waste incinerators—the second leading source of mercury and dioxin emissions into the environment.

A coalition led by the Ecology Center won federal mandates to remove lead and recover mercury from vehicles in the United States.

Beginning in 2005, the Ecology Center developed a unique resource, HealthyStuff.org that tests common products for lead, mercury, or other toxic chemicals.

In 2011, the Ecology Center was named a "Green Leader" by the Detroit Free Press. The award recognizes "individuals, businesses and organizations who exhibit excellence in environmental responsibility."

In July 2011, the Ecology Center moved into an expanded office at 339 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor, known as the Handicraft Building. In keeping with the Ecology Center's mission, the new office space incorporated many green features, including sustainable and recycled materials. [3] Students from Eastern Michigan University designed furniture for the office using reclaimed materials.[4]

Programs

Climate & Energy

The Ecology Center's Clean Energy, Clean Fuels Campaign promotes policy solutions that increase United States energy independence, decrease Michigan's global warming pollution, and encourage sustainable agricultural and forestry practices that improve soil quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and preserve other conservation values

Environmental Education

The Ecology Center brings hands-on environmental lessons to schools throughout southeastern Michigan. Programs include classroom visits, teacher training and curriculum development and web links and printed resources for teachers. [5]

Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health

The Ecology Center is a member of the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health which aims to promote healthy and safe environment for children through advocacy, education, outreach, and cooperation with health professionals, health affected groups, and environmental organizations.[6]

HealthyStuff

A website launched by the Ecology Center, HealthyStuff offers a listing the amount of lead, arsenic, mercury, chlorine, and bromine in over 900 products including toys, school supplies, car seats, automobiles, pet products, apparels, and home improvement tools and supplies. [7]

Land Use

The goal is to preserve farmland and natural areas, concentrate development where infrastructure exists, and reduce traffic congestion.

Recycle Ann Arbor

Founded in 1977, Recycle Ann Arbor is a nonprofit organization that grew out of the Ecology Center recycling program. It is Michigan’s first curbside recycling program in 1978 and currently operates dropoff stations and reused building material and household supply shops for Ann Arbor residents.[8] See also Energy Works Michigan [9]

Campaigns

Healthy Food in Health Care

The ecology center works with hospitals across Michigan to provide locally and sustainably produced foods for their patients and staff. To date over 300 hospitals across the nation have signed on.[10]

Green Chemistry

Green chemistry is a scientific movement aimed at replacing toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. The Ecology Center has been involved in the movement shortly after its founding and received a Green Chemistry Gubernatorial Awards in 2009 by the state governor. [11]

Built by Michigan

The Built By Michigan coalition brings together small business, large business, workers, families, electric vehicle owners and car aficionados, environmental and faith based organizations, and more to advance the manufacturing and sales of the electric vehicle in Michigan to strengthen the local economy and increase employment in the state. [12]

Energy Works Michigan

Energy Works Michigan is a non-profit technical resource building foundational capacities for a sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future in Michigan. [13]

Save Land, Build Community

The Ecology Center helps local communities develop additional tools for preservation — in particular, local funding to buy land or development rights from willing sellers. Since 2000, the Ecology Center has led or co-organized five separate successful land preservation ballot campaigns in the Ann Arbor area, raising over $100 million that’s projected to save over 10,000 acres of working farms and natural areas. We’ve also helped bring together community leaders to discuss regional solutions to regional land use problems. [14]

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References
  1. Juliana Keeping "Ecology Center turns 40, celebrates milestone with talk by environmental activist Van Jones" AnnArbor.com
  2. Juliana Keeping "Ecology Center turns 40, celebrates milestone with talk by environmental activist Van Jones" AnnArbor.com
  3. AnnArbor.com, "Ann Arbor Ecology Center moving to new home in downtown Ann Arbor", April 23, 2011
  4. Ann Arbor.com, "Hands-on experience: EMU students design workspaces for new Ecology Center offices", December 27, 2011
  5. "Ecology Center website "Environmental education"". Archived from the original on 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  6. "Ecology Center website "Safe Kids Homes Towns"". Archived from the original on 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  7. www.healthystuff.org
  8. Recycle Ann Arbor website
  9. Recycle Ann Arbor "About Us"
  10. "Bill Zirinsky "Bringing Healthy Foods into Michigan's Hospitals"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-14. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
  11. Ecolink
  12. Built by Michigan
  13. "Energy Works Michigan About Us". Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  14. "Save Land". Archived from the original on 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
  • Ecology Center Website
  • HealthyStuff website
  • Recycle Ann Arbor
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