Going Green: RiverSafe Anniversary, Lone Pine Award, Plum Market Discount

West Bloomfield Township is celebrating the one-year anniversary of the initiation of the RiverSafe Home Program, a storm water pollutant awareness program which launched on Earth Day last year.

Township Supervisor Michele Economou Ureste said that she was very proud of the 15-question online survey, a product of the Development Services Department which is also used by Washtenaw Country.

“Finishing the survey says that you’re committed to minimizing the use of pesticides and phosphorus fertilizers that can find their way into our watershed. When you pledge to do that, you receive a placard, which you can put on your front lawn.” she said. “It’s important for township residents to realize in this weather or in any season that storm water often goes into our rivers, so we need to remember what causes that.”

Ureste said that the RiverSafe program has not been adequately publicized, and that she hopes more township residents will take the survey in the coming weeks.

“Not a lot of residents expressed interest in the program in the past year, but we’re optimistic that with additional awareness, we can teach people what goes in our watershed,” she said.

West Bloomfield is the part of the headwaters of three watersheds (Rouge River, Huron River and Clinton River) and has 26 lakes, 150 ponds, 1,500 acres of protected wetlands and over 2,500 acres of protected woodlands.

Lone Pine Elementary reaches "Evergreen" status

initiated several projects dedicated to going green, including a paper recycling challenge throughout the month of May and a paper distribution system currently being rolled out where fliers will only go out to one child per household.

“It’s been a lot of work and a lot of fun for all of us, and the best part is, our students are learning to value and care for their environment along the way,” said principal Mary Hillberry.

Lone Pine students and staff were rewarded for their efforts by earning the highest distinction, "Evergreen," from Michigan Green Schools, a nonprofit organization, it was announced this week. According to Hillberry, new efforts included maintaining a bird habitat, adopting an endangered species, programming computers to shut down in the evenings and conducting a watershed project.

Shoppers turn to green business discounts

Every little bit helps and will offer shoppers toxin-free household cleaning products at 50 percent off on Friday. Among the products offered are Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyers brands of dish soap, laundry detergent, bleach, and other household items.

“It’s great to see a business doing something about Earth Day, because going green supposedly costs a lot of money,” Plum Market shopper and West Bloomfield resident Shannon Ayres said Thursday. “Even if it is, maybe it’s worth spending more. I’ll come back tomorrow because of the discount."