Michigan Green Communities Challenge took a gap year in 2020 as municipalities were responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the meantime, the Michigan Green Communities (MGC) team has been working to refresh the program to offer new features to better serve counties, cities, townships, and villages across the state. As always, this program remains free for all communities to participate. Read below for more details on the latest updates coming in early 2022 to the MGC program.

New Challenge

The Michigan Green Communities Challenge has been the core of the MGC program since the beginning. This year, we’re launching a more robust, user-friendly interface for the Challenge. A team of technical experts and municipal representatives came together to compile a list of updated action items that encourage and guide communities – regardless of where they are at in their sustainability journey – in their efforts to create a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future for residents. Communities of all sizes will find items in the list that are actionable both with and without significant monetary investment.

The Challenge will still offer three levels of certification – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The final list of action items will be released by November 2021 and the Challenge itself will launch in January 2022.

More Robust Networking

A key benefit of the MGC program is the ability for communities to learn from one another and share what they’ve learned. The MGC program will better facilitate networking in an online world using a networking platform & forum directly on the MGC website. The MGC Network will only be available to staff and elected/appointed officials from municipalities in Michigan so they can connect without solicitation by vendors. The Network is a safe space to learn, share, and connect. It will serve as a space for MGC Network participants to follow popular sustainability topics in the state and stay connected in between the in-person interactions.

The MGC Network platform will launch in early 2022. If you would like to sign up now, please use the form at: www.migreencommunities.com/join. This form will also add you to the MGC email list where you’ll receive quarterly updates on the program and occasional e-blasts with important information.

Be sure to follow MGC on Twitter and LinkedIn.

EGLE Catalyst Communities Support & Integration

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Catalyst Communities program will work in tandem with the Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program to support communities in taking action to protect natural resources, move toward decarbonization, improve organics and recycling collection, and more. The Catalyst Communities program will serve as the repository of best practices, examples, and sample programs and ordinances. The organization of these resource guides will mirror the organization of the MGC Challenge action items to keep things clear for MGC Challenge & Network participants.

Click here to learn more about the Catalyst Communities program.

MGC Program Coordinator

As part of the revamped program, Michigan Green Communities now has a full time program coordinator, Danielle Beard. The role of the coordinator will be to facilitate connections among MGC participants, assist in finding technical assistance, organize learning opportunities, support MGC participants in the Challenge, and more. Danielle brings a background in local government, community development, and philanthropy and a love for all things Michigan. If you have questions about the program, you can reach out to her at dbeard@migreencommunities.com.