Contact:
Matt Bach
Michigan Municipal League
c: (810) 874-1073; [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 23, 2022
44 communities recognized for sustainability accomplishments
Local government environmental efforts benchmarked as part of Michigan Green Communities Challenge
LANSING, Michigan –The Michigan Green Communities program is recognizing 44 counties, cities, townships, and villages that took part in the annual Michigan Green Communities Challenge for their environmental leadership. These communities completed actions in 2021 related to energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, recycling, environmental justice, and more. Ten communities received bronze certification, twelve received silver certification, and twenty-two received gold certification.
“Michigan communities are frontline leaders and innovators in improving air and water quality, embracing clean energy, adapting to climate change, and ensuring residents live in healthy environments with safe drinking water,” EGLE Director Liesl Clark said. “The Michigan Green Communities program guides and accelerates efforts of communities across Michigan who are leading the charge to build an environmentally just, sustainable, and prosperous future for our state.”
The 44 communities and their certification levels are as follows:
| Bronze | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Bay City | City of Birmingham | Canton Township |
| Calvin Township | City of Clare | City of Ann Arbor |
| City of Kalamazoo | City of Grand Haven | City of Battle Creek |
| City of Grandville | City of Ludington | City of Berkley |
| City of Grosse Pointe Park | City of Northville | City of East Lansing |
| City of Livonia | City of Royal Oak | City of Ferndale |
| City of Madison Heights | City of Sterling Heights | City of Grand Blanc |
| City of Plymouth | City of Westland | City of Grand Rapids |
| Monroe County | Northville Township | City of Holland |
| Williamstown Township | Oakland County | City of Lansing |
| Village of Milford | City of Marquette | |
| West Bloomfield Charter Township | City of Novi | |
| City of Petoskey | ||
| City of Portage | ||
| City of Rockford | ||
| City of Ypsilanti | ||
| Delhi Charter Township | ||
| Delta Charter Township | ||
| Meridian Township | ||
| Orion Township | ||
| Pittsfield Charter Township | ||
| Traverse City |
Michigan Green Communities is a network of local government staff and officials that is designed to:
- Promote and facilitate peer learning and sharing to support innovative solutions for community sustainability and livability.
- Recognize communities for their sustainability accomplishments.
- Promote Michigan’s leadership role in environmental stewardship and green economic development.
- Enhance Michigan’s economic competitiveness in the 21st century global green economy.
- Develop and share world-class models that will reduce costs and increase business activity in our communities and stimulate world-class research, development and commercialization of breakthrough green technologies, products, and processes.
The Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program is open to all local governments in Michigan, at no cost. MGC is a sustainability networking, benchmarking, and technical assistance program. It guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents, and creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable future for the state of Michigan.
Michigan Green Communities is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; the Michigan Association of Counties; the Michigan Municipal League; and the Michigan Townships Association.
More details can be found at www.migreencommunities.com. Questions regarding the Michigan Green Communities program can be directed to Danielle Beard, Michigan Green Communities program coordinator, [email protected]. Media inquiries can be directed to Matt Bach, League assistant director of strategic communications, [email protected].
Michigan Municipal League is dedicated to making Michigan’s communities better by thoughtfully innovating programs, energetically connecting ideas and people, actively serving members with resources and services, and passionately inspiring positive change for Michigan’s greatest centers of potential: its communities. The League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington, D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. Learn more at mml.org.