Green is good. With the current focus on everything green, what better way to get up to speed with all the great green efforts happening locally than by checking out the Michigan Economic Development Corporation‚s Green Days. Green Days includes exhibits and presentations at the GM Wintergarden inside the Quicken Loans Cooling Station . 

GM

GM is committed to conservation every day, in every part of the world -- both in our manufacturing facilities and through the products we sell. As we celebrate 100 years, visit us at our world headquarters at the Renaissance Center. At GM we believe in "deeds, not words" and are committed to making our global HQ a model of conservation and environmental leadership. The Renaissance Center is a certified wildlife habitat council site. We have added native plantings to our landscape and all efforts are made to recycle and to conserve energy. During River Days, stop by our display in the Wintergarden to learn more about all the things GM is doing for the environment.

Riverside Kayak Connection, LLC, Michigan’s premiere paddle sports store is located south of downtown Wyandotte. We are eager to promote kayaking and canoeing with individuals and communities that share our passion for paddling. Our goal is to be your connection to the water.
During Detroit River Days, we will be presenting a wide variety of kayaks and products. We will bring a wealth of knowledge with our trained staff as we present not only equipment, but many opportunities for paddling in Southeast Michigan.

Stop by to see us. We invite children of all ages to have their picture taken on a kayak!

As an added bonus, we will be having specials on all of our products as we celebrate the wonderful Detroit Riverfront.

For more info go to: www.riversidekayak.com  734.285.2925.

City Knits: How Green is your Hobby?

Knitting, Crochet, Spinning and Weaving are all low-impact “green” hobbies.  The tools are the simplest non- motorized or electrified technologies. The raw materials involved in these fiber arts have varying levels of “green” – ness. 

City Knits, located in urban, accessible and friendly locations in the Fisher and Guardian Buildings, as well as downtown Mt. Clemens, will host a display that explains how to select yarns with the lowest environmental impact.  City Knits will explain the relative impacts of fiber type: animal, vegetable, or synthetic; where the yarn is produced, how the fiber is processed, whether and how the yarn is colored, and how to select knitting supplies that do the least harm to the environment.

For more info, contact: Karen D. Kendrick-Hands City Knits, Inc. www.cityknits.com

The Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative

The Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative (DECC) is a consortium of over 20 neighborhood-based organizations who are dedicated to providing a unified voice for Detroit’s Eastside.  While DECC’s mission includes providing technical assistance for the implementation of housing and economic development projects and serving as a clearinghouse of information for coordinating collective community development strategies, DECC’s signature project is the Conner Creek Greenway. 
Much like the RiverWalk, the Conner Creek Greenway is a planned nine-mile pathway connecting from Eight Mile Road south to the Detroit River along Conner and St. Jean.  Two miles have already been built and are open for your enjoyment.  Stop by the booth for a map of the Greenway and information on the project.

For more information, contact (313)571-2800 x 1159.
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/detroitriver/index.html

Detroit River and western Lake Erie have a long history of environmental pollution that has received much media attention.   However, 35 years of pollution prevention and control have resulted in substantial environmental improvements and surprising ecological recovery.  Today, our Detroit River and western Lake Erie are North America’s only International Wildlife Refuge.  Our story is that conservation initiatives in southeast Michigan are helping recreate gathering places for people and wildlife along the Detroit River and western Lake Erie, and that these unique conservation places are now a key factor in providing the quality of life so important in achieving competitive advantage for communities and businesses in the 21st century.  Equally important is that cooperative conservation is helping provide an exceptional outdoor recreational experience to almost six million people.  That in turn is helping develop the next generation of conservation stewards and sustainability entrepreneurs.

DTE Energy

The DTE Energy booth will provide information on keeping your home energy efficient.  We will provide tips on low-cost, no-cost ways to save on your electric and natural gas bill.  Learn about our new on-line tool, MyEnergy Analyzer, that will provide customized recommendations based on your home's
energy history.  Also, find out how you can help preserve our environment with GreenCurrents, our new Michigan based renewable energy option.

Ecorse Rowing Club

Ecorse Rowing Club is dedicated to serving the community by promoting and developing the sport of amateur rowing.  The club supports many area environmental and conservation efforts through donations and volunteering.

Membership in the Ecorse Rowing Club is comprised of mostly adults over the age of 27.  Some compete in regattas throughout the country.  Others just row for fun, relishing the opportunity to glide peacefully across the river’s surface.  Women make up close to half of the club’s membership.
If you have ever wondered what it is like, if you are bored with that same old exercise, if you want to de-stress, or simply want to try something new.  Stop by our booth and learn more about the sport of rowing.  Adult and student summer classes begin June 24th and cost less than $100/person
For information call 313-382-4280 or visit the web site at ecorserowingclub.com.

Friends of Belle Isle

The Friends of Belle Isle has been working for 35 years to preserve and restore the historic structures and natural  beauty of Belle Isle . We advocate, raise awareness and raise money  which we use for projects such as restoration of the White House (the oldest building on the Island), the Carillon, and the Dante statue. We have planted hundreds of trees, hosted an annual spring Clean-up for many years, and even brought the World Cup Soccer field to Belle Isle from the Silverdome.

The Friends of the Detroit River (FDR)

The Friends of the Detroit River (FDR) is a citizens group dedicated to protecting and defending the Detroit River.  FDR works with local communities, businesses, organizations and individuals to communicate its concerns regarding actions and policies that affect the river.  Education and community outreach are important parts of FDR's mission.  FDR's most important and visible program is the Detroit Riverkeeper program, an affiliate of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.  The Riverkeeper serves as a citizens' watchdog on the river, through river patrols and coordination
with local industry, local units of government, and relevant organizations.

Friends of the Rouge
www.therouge.org

Friends of the Rouge promotes restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River ecosystem through education, citizen involvement and other collaborative efforts, for the purpose of improving the quality of life of the people, plants and animals of the watershed.

The display will include:
- A map of the watershed
- Literature on the organization
- Water quality monitoring demonstration

Michigan State University Extension – Natural Resource Connections

Visitors can discover the role that MSUE plays in protecting, enhancing and promoting Michigan’s natural resources. Helping people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical needs, issues and opportunities.

Participants will also have an opportunity to do hands-on activities and take home a Byways to Flyways driving tour map of birding locations in SE Michigan and SW Ontario (FREE). For more info go to: www.msue.msu.edu

Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA)

MTGA is a non-profit working to create an interconnected statewide system of
trails and greenways for recreation, health, transportation, economic
development and environmental/cultural preservation purposes.  MTGA is
currently working with eight non-profit groups developing trails within the
City of Detroit. Our vision is for a connected city-wide biking and walking
trail network.www.michigantrails.org

Project GROW

Growing and Retailing Opportunities in Wayne County (GROW) is a three-year initiative to nurture community farming and the development of food related businesses on the Eastside of Detroit and in Highland Park.  GROW provides assistance to participants in growing food in their backyards and neighborhoods; teaches business skills among participants to develop and run food-related businesses; and develops temporary and permanent outlets for local growers to sell their produce.  GROW is funded through the USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program, and is managed collaboratively by: Warren/Conner Development Coalition, Wayne-Metropolitan Community Action Agency, Michigan State University Extension – Wayne County, and the Garden Resource Program Collaborative.  For more information, please contact Ryan Hertz at (313)571-2800 x1136.

River Raisin Institute

The River Raisin Institute (RRI) is a nonprofit organization that
sponsors educational works with the goal to respect, nurture, and
promote the well-being of all creation. Our display consists of current
water monitoring and restoration projects related to the River Raisin
Watershed Restoration Initiative. Handouts will be available.

For more information, visit www.rriearth.org

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) renovated
their 376,000-square foot Motherhouse in 2003 using sustainable design
principles. The Motherhouse, which has earned the sisters eight awards
for its LEED-certified sustainable renovation, features a geothermal
heating and cooling system, a constructed wetland, among many other
sustainable systems and practices. The Detroit Free Press called the
Motherhouse a "masterpiece of energy-efficiency". The project recently
earned its second national EPA award. The IHM display will include:

* an inspiring video presentation of the renovation project called
" The Blue Nuns Go Green"
* an impressive Campus Greening Report that describes how the IHM
employee committee saved more than $25,000 by implementing greening
initiatives on their campus
* an educational video titled " This Is Your Home", a 3 part DVD
on global climate change developed by the IHM Justice Peace &
Sustainability Office; demand for the DVD surpassed expectations
requiring a second and third production run
* a thought provoking DVD about St. Mary Farm, the Community
Supported Agriculture farm, on the IHM campus
* Sustainable living information.

Handouts will be available.

Wheelhouse Detroit

Wheelhouse Detroit offers bicycle rental, service, retail and tours from Rivard Plaza on Detroit's Riverfront. Experience the Motor City on two wheels! Visit wheelhousedetroit.com for more information or call 313-656-BIKE.

Wildlife Habitat Council

The Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) is a coalition of corporations, conservation groups, and individuals dedicated to restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat. Created in 1988, WHC helps large landowners, particularly corporations, manage their unused lands in an ecologically sensitive manner for the benefit of wildlife. More than 2 million acres in 48 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 other countries are managed for wildlife through WHC-assisted projects.  In the Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor, WHC involves companies including BASF, BP Canada, DTE Energy, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, Marathon Petroleum, Ontario Power Generation, Solutia, Terra International, US Steel, and Waste Management, Inc. in promoting wildlife habitat alongside economic development at 35 corporate sites.

Creekside Community Development Corporation

Creekside Community Development Corporation is a non-profit organization serving Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood.   The neighborhood is home to 100 acres of riverfront parks, inland canals and islands, which provide residents with unique recreational opportunities.   In partnership with the Greening of Detroit, corporate sponsors and numerous volunteers, Creekside has planted over 300 trees in the community, including a small tree farm and community garden.   It also hosts a recycling drop-off center on the 4th Saturday of the month.

Detroit Heritage River Water Trail

Metropolitan Affairs Coalition and its partners have developed the “Detroit Heritage River Water Trail”, which is the first water trail planned for kayaking and canoeing in the Detroit region. The water trail is, in effect, a river version of a greenway or bikeway. It offers another opportunity for residents and visitors to exercise and enjoy outdoor recreation and has been carefully planned so that people can literally paddle through much of the region‘s rich history as well as the abundant natural resources and wildlife that lie along Southeast Michigan’s world-class waterways.  

Those who attend River Days can view a distinctive multi-colored, two-sided map that graphically portrays the Detroit Heritage River Water Trail, including a detailed route of the first phase of the trail. This map identifies distinctive points of historical interest as well as describes significant natural and wildlife features a paddler will pass along the regional water trail.

Detroit Riverkeeper Program

The Detroit Riverkeeper Program is a nonprofit citizen action group, affiliated with the Friends of the Detroit River and a member of the Waterkeeper Alliance.  Our mission is to protect, preserve and restore the ecological integrity of the Detroit River Watershed for current users and for future generations through advocacy and citizen action. The Riverkeeper uses education, communication, partnership building, monitoring and research to accomplish its commitment as the protector of the Detroit River Watershed and strives to build a stronger sense of community stewardship for its waters. For more information regarding Riverkeeper activities look us up at www.detroitriver.org  

Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC)

Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC) is a regional public/private partnership dedicated to improving Greater Detroit’s quality of life and creating economic opportunity by encouraging and promoting regional cooperation. MAC creates collaborative relationships with community, government, and private sector partners to develop projects that improve the region’s attractiveness as a place to live, work, and raise a family. www.mac-web.org

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
"Our Environmental Story" located in GM Wintergarden

The Riverfront is part of the local, regional, and international ecology
of many species. The river plays an important role in the cycle of
migration for many species of birds, waterfowl and butterflies.

The RiverWalk has transformed former abandoned and degraded industrial
land on the waterfront into new open space for human enjoyment and
improved habitat for wildlife of the riverfront. The Riverwalk tells the
story in many engaging and creative ways; the most prominent is the
Cullen Family Carousel at Rivard Plaza.  This custom-designed carousel
was created to showcase many of the Detroit River's native species of
birds, waterfowl, amphibians, and fish, plus the riparian environment of
the early riverfront.

Please join us for GM River Days as the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
continues to share its environmental story with you!  Come take a look
at our display in the GM Wintergarden and then venture out onto the
Riverwalk in search of the Monarch butterflies at the butterfly garden
located at Gabriel Richard Plaza or the one of a kind Carousel to see
the creatures indigenous to the Detroit River or even the new shoreline
treatments created to provide fish habitat cover and resting spots from
strong currents of the river!  For more information, please visit
www.detroitriverfront.org
 
Girl Scouts of Metro-Detroit
Girls Scouts are known for being green...and we'll be demonstrating that
quality during River Days with hand-on activities for all children. Kids
can learn about habitats and endangers species, create a "food chain"
and more. Plus girls age 5 through 17 can find out about all the
exciting opportunities Girl Scouts have to offer. For more information
of Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit visit www.gsofmd.org
 
Green Way Initiative
The GreenWays Initiative will host a regional map that displays trails throughout southeast Michigan that have been built and those currently planned or proposed.  The map will provide trail users with a comprehensive picture of trail system development throughout the seven counties of southeast Michigan. The GreenWays Initiative, a multi-year, $27 million initiative  of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, is connecting more than 80 municipalities in southeast Michigan through the creation of green infrastructure, including biking and hiking paths, conservation corridors and habitats within and between jurisdictions.
 
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, founded in 1984, is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from hundreds of individuals and organizations committed to the future of southeast Michigan. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life in southeast Michigan by supporting a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development and civic affairs. Governed by a board of community leaders, the Foundation makes grants to outstanding charitable projects in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair and Livingston counties. The Foundation has assets of more than $670 million and, since its inception, has distributed more than $295 million, through more than 29,100 grants, to nonprofit organizations. Currently, 164 area organizations are building endowments with the Community Foundation, benefiting from the Foundation‚s investment experience, planned giving and other services.  These endowments will benefit our region forever.