At the Ecology Center

Statewide Forums Learn About Ann Arbor Greenbelt Campaign

June/July Issue, 2004

Across the state of Michigan, anti-sprawl activists are now looking to replicate the Ann Arbor area's success in creating local funding sources for farmland and open space preservation. In April, the Ecology Center made presentations at two statewide forums of activists about the region’s Greenbelt program, and related local land preservation efforts.

Ecology Center Director Mike Garfield and Land Use Consultant Barry Lonik told 80 attendees at the American Farmland Trust’s Michigan Agriculture Preservation Board Summit in Lansing that anti-sprawl proponents could not permit developers and other opponents to define the message in a ballot campaign for farmland preservation funds. They recounted the highlights of last November’s campaigns for land preservation in the City of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Township. Farmland activists in 16 other counties are currently working to create their own local sources of money for farmland preservation, most notably in Kent County.

Garfield also gave a presentation about the Ann Arbor campaigns and programs at the State Capitol during a series of Earth Day workshops organized by the Michigan Environmental Council. The workshops were capped off by a bill signing ceremony on the Capitol lawn where Governor Granholm, flanked by environmental leaders, signed two bills that establish a fee system for water pollution permits in the State of Michigan.

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