Trees Home | Invitee List | Schedule | Tree Harvest Photos | Lowell Area Schools | Michigan GREEN

Project EverGREEN Schools; Planting GREEN Computers


Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Education Center

Your contribution can assist students in their efforts to actively replant harvested forest land in Michigan.

Michigan GREEN's Project EverGREEN Schools and Dell, Inc. sponsored a tree planting event to complement the sale of 4,000 Dell computers to the state of Michigan. Students from Alto, Bushnell, Cherry Creek, and Murray Lake Elementary Schools planted 1,000 red and white oak and sugar maple saplings at the Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Education Center and the adjacent Wege Natural Area in Lowell..

CEO Michael Dell wants his company to take the lead in reducing the environmental impact of technology worldwide. Dell's representatives asked Michigan GREEN for help in creating an event that would give something back to the citizens of Michigan by offsetting the carbon footprint of each Dell computer purchased by the state. The Land Conservancy of West Michigan, which manages the Wege Natural Area, and the environmental education center were already planning to harvest several acres of the pine plantation, and their leadership teams were excited to participate in this event. Michigan GREEN staff worked with Lowell school officials, education center staff and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan to organize the event.

On Friday, October 9th, 2009, 100 Lowell students gathered at the center to learn firsthand how to replant a harvested area of forest. The red and white oak and sugar maple seedlings are indigenous to the area, and the random planting replaced the current pine plantation configuration at the center and helped restore the native mixed oak forest. The land conservancy and the environmental education center are a unique partnership that work together to show the importance of both Michigan's natural areas and the management of our natural resources.

This event, co-funded by Michigan GREEN and Dell, was just one step in the commitment of both organizations toward advocating for and practicing global stewardship. The tree planting is part of Michigan GREEN's Project EverGREEN Schools, a national initiative that creates project-based learning opportunities for students that focus on environmental and energy-related issues. Smokey the Bear also made a special guest appearance!

Letter from the Director - October, 2009

Michigan GREEN (Group for a Renewable Energy Efficient Nation) is a non-profit corporation whose members include manufacturers, businesses, schools, individuals, and other non-profit organizations. We share the same green goals of global stewardship, and we are championing the cause of renewable energy technology and energy efficiency and conservation in Michigan and throughout our great nation.

Michigan GREEN's activities and accomplishments have focused on increasing the public's awareness of energy efficient technologies, and increasing our youth's knowledge and understanding of the importance of energy conservation and environmental stewardship. We call it, "Education through Implementation."

Michigan GREEN's grant-related activities have resulted in the distribution of 12,200 energy kits to low-income residents in more than 70 Michigan counties. These kits, consisting of energy conservation products like CFLs, low-flow showerheads, and LED nightlights, are each generating over $100 in energy savings annually. More than $10 million will be saved over the lifetime of the energy products in these kits!

Our two latest grant programs focus on providing energy information to small businesses in Michigan. Delta County and Livingston County businesses and organizations have recently received energy evaluations funded by Michigan GREEN grants through the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Bureau of Energy Systems. Our energy experts have identified tens of thousands of dollars in potential energy savings through these evaluations, and we are now helping the businesses move forward with energy projects.

"Education through Implementation" will increase the public's awareness of conservation opportunities, as well as improve the bottom line for our participating businesses.

Thank You,

Douglas Russell
Executive Director
Michigan GREEN

The Dell logo is a trademark of Dell Inc.

         

Invitee List | Schedule | Tree Harvest Photos | Lowell Area Schools | Michigan GREEN