Michigan Green Communities Challenge

Winter 2012 Regional Workshops

In collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Regional Energy Demonstration Centers and the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, the Michigan Green Communities network is hosting regional workshops in February 2012. Learn more and register here.

The Basic Challenge―Government Policy Adoption

All Michigan communities are eligible to participate in the Challenge, a program designed to reflect the governing body’s commitment to adopt policies and programs of energy efficiency and conservation. Participating communities are promoted as a part of a nationally recognized program. The League provides recources and technical assistance. Click here for a list of participating communities as of July 2011.

How your community can get started...

1. Sign Up by passing the sample resolution (or a similar resolution) indicating that your governing board wants to participate in the Michigan Green Communities Challenge. (Attachment A) In passing the resolution, you will have completed Step 1 of the Challenge. Fax the resolution to the Michigan Green Communities Challenge c/o Michigan Municipal League at 734-662-8083.

2. Assign responsibility for challenge activities to a staff member or an advisory commission within the community. Then click here to complete the Intention and Progress Survey.

3. Promote your efforts to community residents. This presentation will help you get started.

Continuing the Challenge...

1. Begin work on Steps 3–6 of the Challenge. Steps 3-6 will provide a step-by-step plan for your community to develop, implement and measure your goals and objectives meeting the Challenge. Attachment C is intended to provide suggested goals and activities for Step 5.

2. Learn from other communities. The League and the Bureau of Energy Systems have compiled a searchable database of projects in Green Communities across the state. You can compare your community to others of similar size, geographic location and government type and search by type of project. Contact Luke Forrest if you have additional information you’d like added to the database about your project.

3. Complete this form, which helps the League track and publicize your community's hard work on the path to sustainability. Click here to complete the Challenge Progress Report.

For more information, please contact:

Luke Forrest, Project Coordinator
Jeff Spencer, Green Communities Coordinator, Bureau of Energy Systems
Jan Patrick, EECBG Small Cities Coordinator, Bureau of Energy Systems

Related news:

Green Communities Federal Fact Sheet - summarizes the positive impact federal funding has had on Michigan’s Green Communities and the importance of continued federal investments.

EECBG Case Study Videos

Click here for the June 9, 2009 joint press release.

Listen Up: League Podcast on Michigan Green Communities Challenge
Greening of the Great Lakes/Mlive.com Environmental Issues Podcast
Learn about the Michigan Green Communities Challenge, a program to provide communities with tools to incorporate energy efficiency and conservation strategies.

Click here for videos and PowerPoint presentations from the 2010 Michigan Green Communities Conference in Lansing.

Click here for videos and PowerPoint presentations from the 2011 Michigan Green Communities Conference in Lansing.