Welcome to the Official 
Michigan Green Schools Foundation Website 
Not affiliated with Michigan Green

Pentwater School District participates in the Adopt-a-Beach Clean Up through the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

​Michigan Green Schools Celebrated Ten Years of Service in 2016 

The Michigan Green Schools (MGS) program is open to all public and private schools. Congratulations to all our official 2017 Michigan Green Schools. The quality, creativity and enthusiasm of your applications is amazing!

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       See Contact page for a list of current county coordinators for 2017.

Featured Endangered Animal | Kirtland's Warbler 
The endangered Kirtland's warbler is one of the rarest members of the wood warbler family. It nests in just a few counties in Michigan's northern Lower and Upper peninsulas, in Wisconsin and the province of Ontario and nowhere else on Earth! Because of its restricted home range and unique habitat requirements, the Kirtland's warbler probably has always been a rare bird. To learn more about the recovery plan and what you can do to help, visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website and print the coloring sheet for a fun activity. The coloring pages are copyright free for particpating Michigan Green Schools.

Male Kirtland's Warbler. Photo Credit: Ron Austing

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October Energy Idea 
Although green energy is important, the best way for a school to save energy dollars is still, by far, conservation.  Making sure lights are turned off when the classroom is empty such as lunchtime and after school is a great place to start.  Students can make some colorful turn it off reminders. Another idea growing in popularity is turning one line of lights near windows off.  
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October Green Idea
​Many schools now have food waste programs which help the environment in numerous ways.  Getting a small classroom compost unit is easy and provides natural fertilizer for school gardens.  Units can be bought online in various sizes and instructions can be found with a simple keyword search.  You also can make a homemade one.
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​ A MUST READ!  The book, Drawdown A Plan for Climate Change, Paul Hawken editor, is one of the best we have ever read on the environment and what can be done by individuals and organizations.   It sold out in two days after its debut and a second printing was needed. The 52 nations of the British Commonwealth are all using it in their environmental planning.

Website Picks
Wonderful new green ideas can be found at Earth911. Another good website is the Tropical Rainforest Coalition.  ADDED September A new anti idling campaign for schools has started.  Learn more at http:/iturnitoff/school.html   Site includes a great video.

Check out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. They have just designated the yellow faced bee as an official endangered federal species. The UN reported in February that forty percent of bee hive operations have collapsed colonies. Michigan Green Schools, please remember that pesticides used in your gardens weaken the bees' immune systems. 
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Climate Change and the National Park Service
Discover how climate change is affecting our nation's treasures, what the National Park Service is doing about it, and how you can help. 

New Activities for 2017   
​Prepare lesson plans on Pipeline 5, a 64 year old structure under the Mackinac Straits.  Many environmental groups are rallying against this pipeline fearing a major oil spill.  Learn both sides of the issue.  Have a debate in class.  
​A new recycling idea is recycling the huge amount of clothing that is thrown out each year.  PlanetAid, a green nonprofit, can provide guidelines or schools can simply collect and take to a Goodwill location quarterly.

Did You Know?
22 billion plastic bottles are thrown away annually. They could circle the earth four times. Plastic particulates damage our drinking water and harm sea life
Avoiding products with microbeads in liquid soaps is another important step. Many companies are already doing this but some big brands names have not switched.

​Did You Know You Can Buy Wind Power For Your Home?
Contact Arcadia Power! It's easy to switch to totally clean energy. The average home uses 8500 tons of coal each year. (MGS receives no compensation for this tip.)

​More ideas can be found on our activities page and are updated throughout the school year, so check back regularly to see what's new. See the new suggestion on motor oil recycling promotion. More new activities will debut there in August.

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MGS wishes everyone a great school year!

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The Mackinac Bridge connecting our two peninsulas and our Michigan Green Schools from Berrien Springs to Keeweenaw.

Learning about bees at Go Like the Wind Montessori School in Ann Arbor.

Allegan High School student tests water quality in a local river that feeds into Lake Michigan. Great Lakes protection is a top goal of Michigan Green Schools.

Kirtland's Warbler Coloring Sheet

3rd grader from Pentwater schools poses beside a Honey Locust Tree cutting on a field trip to the Halcyon Nature Center in Pentwater.

The Great Lakes are a Michigan treasure. You can help keep them safe and clean by responsibly discarding all old prescriptions and pills.

Kids getting ready to plant at Farley Hill Elementary in Pinckney.

Preparing an area for butterfly garden in Ann Arbor.

This is the 2018 Michigan Green School emblem. This attaches to the official green flag. There are emerald and evergreen versions as well.

Dow Gardens Midland MI Photo By mittengalleria.com

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Updated October 19, 2017