Public Invited to Attend Vice President Al Gore's Presentation in Detroit

September 20, 2011 | kimba

Former Vice President, best-selling author and Nobel Prize co-recipient Al Gore will be the plenary keynote speaker at the International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes Water Quality Biennial Meeting in Detroit, Michigan at 1:15 pm on October 13, 2011. Vice President Gore will be discussing the climate crisis. Seating is limited, so the public is urged to register. Registration is free.
[Photo courtesy of AP Images]

CSAs Gain Momentum

August 23, 2011 | kimba

As more folks look for alternatives to factory farmed foods, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) are growing in popularity. Joining a CSA is a great way to eat healthy and support local farms. To find a CSA near you, you can visit CSAFarms.org. There is also an option for those interested in participating in a CSA this winter. One clever organization, Locavorious, has partnered with several small farms in the communities around Ann Arbor to offer frozen produce subscriptions, similar to shares offered by regular CSAs. During the peak harvest, they prepare and package local produce at its peak freshness, and preserve it in a community freezer. To learn more about the advantages of eating locally, check out what the library has on the topic of local foods.

Michigan Shrimp Farms?

July 22, 2011 | kimba

Shrimp: shrimpThe Shrimp Farm Market hopes to start a sustainable Michigan shrimp farm industry. Russ Allen, the owner, has created several industries around the world and believes that the time is right to start an indoor, biologically secure and sustainable model for growing shrimp in Michigan. Learn more about eating fish sustainably from Bottomfeeder by Taras Grescoe and/or Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and their printable Seafood Watch Pocket Guide. [Photo courtesy of AP Images]

Small Green Roofs

July 6, 2011 | kimba


Small green roofs : low-tech options for greener living by Nigel Dunnett ... [et al.] Just flipping through this book will excite those considering green roofs. You will find tons of pictures of green roofs on small sheds and structures making this daunting idea seem doable. There are over 40 small-scale examples of green roofs that help demystify the process of planning, designing, installing, and maintaining green roofs. The book provides you with the basics of design as well as practical considerations - with the bulk of the pages devoted to real-life examples.

Super Species: The Creatures That Will Dominate the Planet

June 4, 2011 | kimba

You are probably no stranger to the term "invasive species." If not familiar with the term, then you have at least heard the names of some of the species like the sea lamprey, Asian carp, and/or Emerald Ash Borer. Garry Hamilton examines the impacts of invasive species in Super Species: The Creatures That Will Dominate the Planet. While many experts view invasive species as a threat to biodiversity, others believe these creatures may be nature's way of restoring ecological vibrancy in the wake of human-mediated destruction.

buymichigannow.com

May 15, 2011 | kimba

The idea behind Buy Michigan Now is to challenge supporters of the state to factor Michigan into their buying decisions — when possible, buy locally. Buy Michigan Now makes it easy to do this by providing a directory where you can look up Michigan businesses that meet one of the following criteria:

  1. They operate entirely in Michigan
  2. They are headquartered in Michigan with additional operations outside the state
  3. They are a Michigan-owned franchise or affiliate with some fees or revenue paid out of state

One great reason to buy locally is to reduce your carbon footprint, for more local green resources check out the CPL's Canton Green Resources.

Ozone Action Days Begin May 1

May 3, 2011 | kimba

It doesn't feel warm enough, but Ozone Action season started May 1. Consider carpooling and using transit for cleaner air and the fuel savings.

It is the little things that we all do on Ozone Action days that can have a positive impact on air quality. Here are tips for Southeast Michigan residents to help keep the air clean on Ozone Action days:

  • Try not to refuel on Ozone Action days. If you need to refuel on an Ozone Action day, fill up in the evening when the weather is cooler and don’t "top off" the tank
  • Reduce automobile use on Ozone Action days. Plan to carpool, use public transit, or walk to work
  • Choose the push mower over the lawn mower

Remember you can request email notifications of Ozone Action days by emailing: ozoneaction@semcog.org and putting "Notification" in the subject line or become a fan on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Local Green Resources

April 14, 2011 | kimba

Looking to buy local products including local veggies and grass-fed meats? Or simply looking to recycle, save energy and become a little greener? CPL's Canton Green Resources web page has a number of resources (most local) to help you in your quest to become green. The library can also help with your recycling efforts. We continue to collect paper with a collection bin in the parking lot and participate in the Cartridges for Kids program that recycles printer cartridges, small electronics and more. You can learn more about these programs and other great recycling resources through CPL's Canton Green Resources pages.

Craig Perdue, Naturalist Program

April 1, 2011 | kimba

Dr. Craig Perdue will talk about behavioral ecology on Thursday, April 21, 3:00-4:30PM, in a presentation entitled "Bird Ancestors, Adaptations and Conversation." He will share his knowledge about working with birds of prey and other animals and explain how our actions impact their world. There is no registration required for this all ages program.

[Note: Dr. Perdue's program includes live birds.]

Pages