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

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The students at Lansing Catholic High School show off their flag. Congratulations!
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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR 2018 GREEN SCHOOLS FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENTS ALL OVER MICHIGAN
See Contact page for a list of current county coordinators for 2018.

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.
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Male Kirtland's Warbler. Photo Credit: Ron Austing
   A Top Goal for this school year is reducing food waste.  For every pound of food waste composted six pounds of greenhouse gases are kept out of the atmosphere.  Schools can get a compost bin or compost units for classrooms and know they are making a great contribution to protecting our earth.  Learn more at smarterlunchrooms.org

August Energy Idea 
Time to replace old refrigerators more than 15 years old in your buildings. New models are far more energy efficient and save on average, 150 dollars a year. Pitch that old refrigerator in the garage and basement too. 
​ Dont forget a full refrigerator saves too.  Use water bottles if needed. 
August Green Idea
Teachers, staff and PTOs can draw up a plastic reduction plan for the upcoming school year.  There are many plastic items that can be cut out to help solve this growing problem. One good example is plastic straws which will save money too.
Website Picks
Wonderful new green ideas can be found at Earth911. Another good website is the Tropical Rainforest Coalition. Check out The Crayon Initiative website.   They will recycle crayons, provide a collection box, flyers and they give all recycled crayons to childrens hospitals. 60 million crayons are thrown out annually in the US.
GREEN DID YOU KNOW  It takes 450 years for plastics to decompose.

SUMMER GREEN TIP Styrofoam cups, like all styrofoam, contain styrene, a known carcinogen.  Heat from beverages like coffee and tea release even more of the styrene.  Replace with paper, glass or metal for you and your guests health.
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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 2018
What do The Detroit Zoo and Disney World share? Both took the No Plastic Straw Pledge. Join The Michigan Green School Honor List and take the No Plastic Straw Pledge for another green point on your application. 500 million are straws are used daily. 
​Prepare lesson plans on Pipeline 5, a 65 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.   Schools can simply collect and take to a Goodwill location or other options quarterly.

Did You Know?
22 billion plastic bottles are thrown away annually. They could circle the earth four times.  Lake Erie has tested out for 1.7 million plastic particulates per square mile.  These particulates harm people and animals through the release of BPA,  a toxic chemical. Many marine animals also fatally swallow larger pieces of plastic.

​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 and all website tips.)

​More ideas can be found on our activities page and are updated throughout the school year, so check back regularly. See the new suggestion on crayon recycling. 
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The Mackinac Bridge connecting our two peninsulas and our Michigan Green Schools from Berrien Springs to Keeweenaw.
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Learning about bees at Go Like the Wind Montessori School in Ann Arbor.
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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.
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Kirtland's Warbler Coloring Sheet
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3rd grader from Pentwater schools poses beside a Honey Locust Tree cutting on a field trip to the Halcyon Nature Center in Pentwater.
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The Great Lakes are a Michigan treasure. You can help keep them safe and clean by responsibly discarding all old prescriptions and pills.
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Kids getting ready to plant at Farley Hill Elementary in Pinckney.
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Rapid City Elementary, Kalkaska Public Schools, show off their Michigan Green School reusable water bottles.
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Preparing an area for a butterfly garden in Ann Arbor. Planting dill will bring in Yellow Swallow Tail butterflies.
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This is the 2018-19 Michigan Green School emblem. This attaches to the official green flag. There are green and emerald versions as well.
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A poster from Steele Elementary in Lansing encouraging water conservation
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Updated August 14, 2018