Wild Ones Ann Arbor wins water quality protection award
Wild Ones Ann Arbor received the Water Quality Protection Award for promoting native plants that help improve local water quality. In partnership with Seeds to Community, the group offers workshops to help people grow native plants at home. Wild Ones also led a project to create a pocket forest at Buhr Park to support biodiversity and water conservation. Loris Damerow and Marta Manildi accepted the award on behalf of the group.
University Commons receives waste reduction and recycling award
University Commons won the Waste Reduction and Recycling Award for its efforts to reduce waste and promote recycling. The community became the first multi-family housing complex in Ann Arbor to offer curbside composting. The Sustainability Committee also educates residents about composting and recycling, and volunteers help collect hard-to-recycle materials like foam and plastic bags. Plans are in place to replace outdoor lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs, cutting energy use by 80%.
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Rain garden leadership awards recognize stormwater solutions
The Rain Garden Leadership Awards honor individuals and groups who create rain gardens to manage stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
- Angie Wolney and Nick Mosher led a rain garden project at Wines Elementary School with the 5th-grade student council.
- Sarah Frantom developed four rain gardens at Tappan Middle School and created a garden at her own home. She also secured a Washtenaw County Conservation District Habitat Grant for plants.
- Lynn Olson and Janet Bourgon were recognized for their dedication to improving the Olson Park rain garden over the past five years.
Master composter leadership awards honor local educators
The Master Composter Leadership Awards recognize individuals who promote composting in Washtenaw County.
- Christopher Hallett improved Growing Hope’s composting program, which now includes food scraps from local businesses and residents.
- Takunia “TC” Collins educates over 102,000 students and community members about composting at Apple Ridge Community Garden and Clay Hill Community Farm.
- Mary Fowler revitalized the composting efforts at Arbor Hospice, training volunteers and raising awareness about composting.
Join the E2P2 community and enhance your sustainability efforts
The Environmental Excellence Partnership Program (E2P2) invites organizations, businesses, and residents to join and receive free technical support, community recognition, and resources to help with sustainability projects. To learn more or view photos from the 2024 awards ceremony, visit Washtenaw.org/e2p2.
These awards celebrate the hard work of individuals and groups who are helping to make Washtenaw County a more sustainable place. The E2P2 program continues to inspire others to take action and protect the environment for future generations.
