Check back for upcoming Ecology Center Live events!
Past Events:
June 6th, 2024
Ecology Center Live: PFAS in Our Blood, Rainwater, and Lakes
Recently, we've released studies on PFAS presence in rainwater, lakes, and even our own bodies. During this virtual event, we share the results and answer questions about PFAS exposure.
January 31st, 2024
Ecology Center Live- Michigan's Clean and Equitable Energy Future
Senator Shink and our own Ecology Center climate and energy experts discuss Michigan’s recently passed Clean Energy Bill Package, how it's going to impact Michiganders today, and the future of clean energy in our state.
June 14th, 2023
Ecology Center Live- Environmental Briefing with Senator Sue Shink
Michigan State Senator Sue Shink joined us for an environmental briefing on current policy in Michigan, including the Michigan’s Clean Energy Future Plan, a new bill package that lays out a plan for a carbon-free future in our great state.
March 20th, 2023
Community-Led Science to Find PFAS in Fish, Water, and More
A new community-based study tested fish sampled from the Huron and Rouge rivers for toxic PFAS chemicals. On this webinar, we shared the results of the study and beyond.
July 14th, 2021, 5:00 pm
Avoid Greenwashing in Gardening
Gardening naturally starts with using non-synthetic fertilizer. But, a recent study done by the Ecology Center shows some fertilizers marked as “eco”, “natural”, or even “organic” contain biosolids (treated sewage sludge) contaminated with PFAS. Join us to learn what to watch out for when getting fertilizer for your lawn or garden, and how to keep other harmful chemicals off your grass and garden.
May 19th, 2021, 5:00 pm
Environmental Justice: Addressing the Unequal Energy Burden
During this event, you’ll hear from University of Michigan's Dr. Tony Reames and our Legislative and Policy Director, Alexis Blizman, on efforts to address high energy burden in our communities. Reducing the use of fossil fuels is a win-win for people and planet, but utility companies are in the business of selling energy, not saving energy. Communities of color, which have a disproportionate number of low income households, are often the ones burdened by high utility bills.
December 16th, 2020, 5:00 pm
PFAS in Cookware and Bakeware and Healthier Choices
During this event, our Healthy Stuff team will share the results of the soon to be released study of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in popular cookware brands. PFAS, which are known to threaten health, are often found in nonstick coating on pots and pans.
October 28th, 2020, 5:00 pm
What’s on the Ballot November 3rd: Eco Edition
As many have observed, this upcoming election is the most consequential of our lifetime. For the Ecology Center, the work we do on environmental issues will be critically affected. During this virtual event, you’ll learn what the people who get elected in November should be focused on next year. Healthy people and a healthy planet are on the ballot November 3, and we’ll share our priorities for 2021 environmental policy.
October 14th, 2020, 5:30 pm
Reclaiming Recycling: How Mission-Based Recyclers are Leading Us to Zero Waste, in Michigan and Across the Country
For 50 years, recycling has been one of the country’s most popular and effective ways to cut climate pollution, air and water emissions, and natural resource depletion. But the U.S. recycling industry has been largely taken over by the waste and packaging industries, and recycling itself has been thrown into crisis as a result.
Today, the country’s original mission-based recyclers — including our own Recycle Ann Arbor — are reemerging as a movement to reclaim recycling as the powerful tool for climate justice and healthy communities that it was meant to be. During this briefing, you’ll hear about national efforts to promote zero waste, and about Recycle Ann Arbor’s plans to reclaim the City of Ann Arbor’s shuttered materials recovery facility, and convert it back into a regional hub for zero waste in southeast Michigan.
September 30th, 2020, 5:30 pm
Affordable Housing is a Climate Justice Solution: The Ann Arbor Affordable Housing Ballot Proposal
Across the United States, the largest source of carbon emissions is the fuel burned by cars, trucks, and other vehicles. In Washtenaw County, the primary reason for driving are the long commutes to and from work — even during the pandemic, when many workers have started working remotely. And workers here have a long commute because they can’t afford to live in Ann Arbor, the region’s major employment center, where housing prices have skyrocketed.
Housing advocates and community leaders have developed a comprehensive plan to develop affordable housing in Ann Arbor, and the key to the plan is a funding proposal on the November 3 ballot this year. During this special edition of Ecology Center Live, experts in the field of affordable housing will lay out the full story of Ann Arbor’s housing affordability problem and will explain the ins and outs of the November 3 ballot proposal.
Special Thank You to Our Sponsors
Environmental Champions
Stuart Batterman and Gloria Mason
Margaret and Todd Kephart
Environmental Defenders
Joan Binkow
Steve and Judy Dobson
Richard G. Kato
Tom and Ann Hunt
Environmental Advocates
Jeff Alson
Bunyan Bryant and Jean Carlberg
Susan and Oliver Cameron
Beverly and Tom Ghesquiere
Steve and Shira Klein
Level One Bank
Herb and Ruth Munzel Family
Porter Family Foundation
Tom Robins and Bonnie Kay
UAW, International Union
Environmental Supporters
Bennett & Associates CPAs PLLC
Ilene Birge
Janis Bobrin and Mike Allemang
Elaine Chottiner
Susan Froelich & Richard Ingram
Christopher and Elaine Graham
Hupp Consulting, LLC
John Hunting
Meadowlark Design and Build
Kathleen Phillips
Henry and Lana Pollack
Karen Prochnow
Evan Pratt
Phil Roos
