Environmental Sustainability

US Green Building Council West MI

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The U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, in a way that improves the quality of life in West Michigan

Guiding Principles

Promote the Triple Bottom. Line Establish Leadership. Reconcile Humanity with Nature. Maintain Integrity guided by the Precautionary Principle. Ensure Inclusiveness. Exhibit Transparency. Foster Social Equity.

As the “front door” of USGBC in West Michigan, the primary purposes for which we have organized are to:
– accelerate the initiation, development and implementation of market-based green building efforts, policies, program technologies, design practices, and operation procedures

– to facilitate networking and communication among all interested parties on green building activities in the area served by the chapter

– to coordinate with green building efforts occurring nationwide and cooperating with the USGBC national organization

Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute

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MIFBI provides education and innovative services that foster the forest bioeconomy. We are a growing coalition of stakeholders across industry, academia, and government dedicated to the responsible and sustainable utilization of forest biomaterials for an improved quality of life in Michigan.

We define forest biomaterials as any organic materials that are grown in and extracted from forest ecosystems. While “traditional” wood products hold tremendous value as a forest biomaterial, there exists a wide range of possibilities including non-timber forest products.

The full value of our forest resources is still unknown and complex social, technological, and ecological challenges wait to be resolved. However, communities and businesses can (and many have) already engage in the bio-based economic sector, as there is an array of commercial product and process technologies currently available. A sustainable future will not emerge spontaneously and it will not be based on non-renewable resources. We will need to strive toward our sustainable future and wise use of our forests is a fundamental part of the answer.

Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit

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Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit works to promote and support sustainability. By this we mean a balanced approach to any issue, program or event that takes into consideration the environmental, social and economic aspects.

GLBD sponsors an annual conference in October, a time to recognize and celebrate the work that individuals and organizations do during the year to promote sustainability.

In addition we offer a monthly ‘free movie night’ in partnership with others as well as support events and programs that connect to our mission, in particular to environmental justice.

GLBD works with a variety of collaborative groups in Detroit such as: Peoples Platform, Equitable Detroit, Zero Waste Detroit, food related issues and others.

Soulardarity

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Business Description:

We have installed six solar powered streetlights in Highland Park, and are advocating for a full thousand to replace those repossessed by DTE in 2011: ourpowerandlight.com

We run a bulk purchasing program for homes and organizations to get solar lighting and other solar products: soulardarity.com/powerup

We run educational events to understand the energy system: soulardarity.com/events

We practice democracy through a community-centered membership model: soulardarity.com/become_a_member

 

Friends of the Rouge

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Description of Organization

Located in Southeast Michigan, the Rouge River watershed is the most urbanized watershed in the state, home to more than 1.35 million people in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Friends of the Rouge has been working to promote restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River watershed for 30 years. We invite you to join us and get involved in our programs and projects.

Construction Association of Michigan (CAM)

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Organization’s Description

Founded in 1885 as the Builders Exchange of Detroit and Michigan, the Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) is the oldest and largest construction association in North America. Based in Bloomfield Hills, CAM is a not-for-profit organization supported by annual dues and service fees. CAM is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors, which is elected annually by over 3,000 member companies. CAM’s membership is comprised of general contractors; specialty/sub-contractors; equipment and material suppliers; and service firms (architects, engineers, attorneys, financial management, etc.).

In January 2008, CAM acquired the Tri-City Builders Exchange (TCBX), now named CAM Tri-Cities. Based in Saginaw and serving the Saginaw, Bay City and Midland areas, CAM Tri-Cities has had a proud history of providing quality member service for the Mid- and Northern Michigan construction community since 1955. The immediate advantages to both organizations’ members include increased Construction News reporting and coverage, greater statewide exposure, and reciprocity for plan room usage. With CAM’s acquisition of CAM Tri-Cities, it officially became a division of the Construction Association of Michigan, and its members will receive the same member benefits available to all current existing CAM members.

 

Planet Aid

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Company’s Description

Planet Aid is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that collects and recycles used clothing and shoes to protect the environment and support sustainable development in impoverished communities around the world. The projects we support improve health, increase income, aid vulnerable children, train teachers, and help strengthen communities and reduce poverty. Planet Aid’s work is supported by a wide range of businesses and governments, and we are registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development as a private voluntary organization (PVO).

We started Planet Aid back in 1997 in the Boston area. The idea was to do something good for the planet and the poor. With only a few drop-off boxes and a rented storage unit, we started collecting clothes and shoes. It wasn’t long before our small rented space began to overflow. Though we were growing fast, the aim remained the same: expand global environmental sustainability and mobilize resources to end poverty.

NextEnergy

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NextEnergy’s Social Mission

Our staff is passionately committed to the acceleration of advanced energy technologies which reduce our dependance on fossil fuels, diversify our economy, and strengthen our environment.

About NextEnergy

Energy drives America. We need it for transportation, for manufacturing and business, for our homes and offices. It fuels our economy and lifestyles today, and holds the key to our aspirations for the future, powering the next generation of American innovation and research.

Increasing energy demands, tightening supplies, and environmental concerns have increased the focus on alternative ways to generate and use it.

Who They Are

Launched in 2002, NextEnergy is already one of the nation’s leading research catalysts and business accelerators for alternative and renewable energy. Our leadership team offers more than a hundred years of experience working with utilities, alternative fuels, hybrid power trains, business development, venture capital investment and more in the alternative energy industry.

Located in Detroit, we are within an hour of more than a dozen major research universities, and in the heartland of America’s transportation, technology, and manufacturing industries. Fostering dynamic research and innovation, we combine this intellectual capital with Michigan’s legendary manufacturing prowess and entrepreneurial ingenuity to help generate new technologies, viable businesses, solid growth, and industry leadership.

What They Do

NextEnergy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to become one of the nation’s leading catalysts for alternative and renewable energy. By bringing promising technologies to maturity and up to scale in the marketplace, we accelerate the impact and profitability of this increasingly important industry.

Already we are managing millions of dollars of research projects. Already we are developing new technologies for power-generation, transportation and fuels. Already we are launching them into your world.

Never has the opportunity been better for alternative and renewable energy to succeed. Never have consumers, industry and government been more open to them. Never have the economics and the marketplace been a stronger force to advance them.

Whoever you are in the alternative energy field, we have the keys to advance your project or to connect you to the resources you need to help you succeed.

Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education

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Description:

The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) serves as the statewide network and advocate for professionals who are promoting environmental literacy in Michigan. Members come from all fields of environmental and outdoor education and represent both formal and nonformal settings – from camps to government agencies to schools and universities, and serve all ages from pre-K to adult.

 

Environmentally literate citizens are knowledgeable of Michigan’s natural resources, the principles and systems that govern the natural world, and how human actions affect that natural world. They are able to use their knowledge to identify and address environmental issues. They are actively working, both individually and collectively, toward environmental stewardship and healthy lifestyles. MAEOE’s objective is to promote environmental literacy in all of Michigan’s residents through education and opportunities.

 

MAEOE is a non-profit, 501c3, membership-based organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors.

 

 

Products, Services, and Events

 

MAEOE promotes and shares best practices, methodologies and assessment in environmental and outdoor education, shares and provides professional opportunities, and takes a leadership role in state-wide initiatives through:

 

  • Coordinating and promoting EE and OE professional development workshops, including Project WILD and Project Learning Tree trainings and our Urban Teachers Initiatives
  • Hosting an annual state-wide conference with trainings, workshops and networking
  • Maintaining a website, listserv and Facebook page featuring resources, events and programs
  • Producing the MAEOEgram newsletter several times a year to share resources and advance the skill of educators
  • Recognizing excellence in the field of outdoor and environmental education through our annual awards program
  • Supporting the Michigan No Child Left Inside Initiative
  • Helping to develop and continuing to support the Michigan Environmental Literacy Plan
  • Leading the process toward developing a formal certification process for Michigan’s environmental educators

 

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