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Green Energy for the Homeowner, Discussed By Hans Steiner of SolarYpsi
How much do YOU know about green energy? If you have taken significant steps to reduce your energy consumption -- is there more you can do? At this program, Hans Steiner of Solar/Ypsi will discuss information on going green, current and upcoming incentives, inspiring examples, and much more.The members of Solar/Ypsi are dedicated to the use of renewable energy sources. This Ypsilanti Solar Project was launched in 2005 when the Ypsilanti Food Co-operative won a grant from the State of Michigan's to install a small, demonstration, solar photovoltaic system on their roof. As part of this initial grant, volunteers have created a traveling educational presentation to explain how solar power works in Michigan. Over a thousand people have attended Solar/Ypsi presentations, which have evolved to include information on other renewable and efficiency measures that provide great returns on investment for the homeowner.
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Metroparks, Recreation, and The Quality of Community Life With Robert Marans, Metro Parks Commissioner and UM Professor at the Institute Of Social Research
Professor Robert Marans will discuss his current research about the impact of the built and natural environments on the quality of life, urban areas, Washtenaw County Parks and the metroparks throughout southeastern Michigan. He is the President of the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Commissioner of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority-the governing body responsible for the planning, development and operations of the metroparks throughout Southeastern Michigan. This event is held in conjunction with the Library's summer reading program, Local Motion - which encourages the use of local neighborhoods, gyms, recreational facilities and outdoor areas to move and get fit!
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Local Teacher Robin Frisch-Gleason Presents Antarctica and Climate Change: A Photographic Tour Through Antarctica and ANDRILL (the Antarctic Geologic Drilling Program).
Local elementary school teacher Robin Frisch-Gleason was selected to join a team of educators and scientists to travel to Antarctica last fall as part of the ARISE (Research Immersion for Science Educators) program to study Antarctica's role in global climate change. She led a room-packed discussion at the Library last July, before she began this expedition.Robin returns to AADL to discuss her experience in Antarctica, including images and a discussion of ANDRILL, a program that gives a tremendous amount of information about how the climate of Antarctica has been changing over time.
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Creating A Green Home: New/Remodel/Addition with Master Designer Michael Klement of Architectural Resource, LLC
Learn what makes up the core of a green building project when Michael Klement, head of the award-winning design firm Architectural Resource, LLC, discusses innovations in residential architecture that incorporate green building practices and materials. Michael will also present visuals of projects illustrating green building principles. Reference and resource materials will be available. Architectural Resource's work has been recognized with over 75 design awards in the last six years and has been featured in publications such as Old House Interiors, CNN/Money and Bungalow Colors. According to the USDOE, 21% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are contributed by the residential sector. Indoor air pollutants in our homes can often be four to five times as high as outdoor levels of the same irritants. Green home design and building addresses these issues by creating homes that perform significantly better than conventional homes.
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2008 T?bingen Reception
A private reception was given by AADL to welcome Boris Palmer, the mayor of Ann Arbor's Sister City of T?bingen, Germany, and a delegation of 29 T?bingen citizens. The delegation visited Ann Arbor to learn more about our city's endeavors in environmental politics and continue support for artists' exchanges between the two cities. Mayor Palmer has initiated an unprecedented climate protection campaign at the local level. At an AADL public event on Tuesday, May 13, he gave a presentation outlining his climate protection campaign.
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Germany's Greenest Mayor, Boris Palmer, Discusses Climate Change and Ann Arbor's Sister City of T?bingen
Boris Palmer is Germany's rising "green" star -- one of the future leaders of their Green Party. The 35 year-old mayor of T?bingen, a city rich in history, host to a famous European university and sister city of Ann Arbor since 1965, will visit Ann Arbor from May 10 - 16. He will head a delegation of T?bingen citizens here to learn about Ann Arbor's environmental politics and continue support for artists' exchanges between the two cities. During his first year in office, Mayor Palmer started an unprecedented climate protection campaign at the local level. Hear his ideas when he discusses climate change and the city.
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Long Distance Swimmer Liz Elling Discusses Her July Swim Down The Huron River
Elling will be joined by Laura Rubin, Exe. Director of the Huron River Watershed Council, when they discuss Liz's upcoming July marathon swim to raise awareness about fresh water resources. Liz proved her mettle in a swim around the Leelanau Peninsula in 2001. This summer, she will take on an even bigger challenge: swimming the length of the Huron River, about 125 miles, including stops in communities along the way. Learn more about Liz's personal mission to protect our lakes, rivers and streams, and what you can do. This event will be taped for future broadcast on Community Television Network. Cosponsored by the Huron River Watershed CouncilStarting July 7 at Proud Lake, Liz will swim the 125-mile length of the Huron River, finishing at Lake Erie on July 21. The Huron River Watershed Council is the first and oldest river protection group in Michigan. Founded in 1965 as a public, non-profit organization, the Council is a coalition of Huron Valley residents, businesses and local governments established under Michigan's Local River Management Act (253 P.A. 1964). Since its formation, the Council has grown to be a respected voice for protection of the Huron River and its tributary streams, lakes wetlands and groundwater.
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Antarctica: A Photographic & Geologic Journey
Take a photographic journey through Antarctica when Robin Frisch-Gleason shares stories and images of her geological field work on the frozen continent. She will also discuss the natural history of this spectacular land and her upcoming trip to study Antarctica's role in global climate change. Robin was recently selected to join a team of educators and scientists to return to Antarctica as part of the ARISE (Research Immersion for Science Educators) program. She will be on "the ice" from early October through early December doing a geophysical study of the Ross Sea area and working on cores drilled below the sea ice.The goals of the Research Immersion for Science Educators program are to raise public awareness about Antarctic scientific drilling and to integrate polar geoscience content into a range of learning environments.
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Town Hall Meeting on the Allen Creek Greenway: Panel of Experts with Audience Discussion
Should the city-owned parcel at the corner of First and William Streets be used for a park for added downtown greenspace or a parking lot to assist downtown visitors and commuters? A controversial proposal - the establishment of a public greenspace park, the Allen Creek Greenway, in the downtown area of Ann Arbor - will be discussed by a panel of experts at this town hall meeting. Panel experts include Fred Beal, the chair of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Association; Janis Bobrin, the Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner; Joe O'Neal, a Greenway advocate from O'Neal Construction; Barbara Murphy from the Old West Side Neighborhood Association Board; and Ed Shaffran, the chair of the Main Street Area Association. The panel will be moderated by Susan Smith, President of the Ann Arbor League of Women Voters, co-sponsors of this program. The event includes time for community questions.Join the discussion as these representatives of several key community associations consider the future of downtown Ann Arbor and examine the pros and cons of this issue.
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Author and Adventurer Jon Waterman Discusses His Arctic Travels and His Book
Since 1983, Jon Waterman has taken eighteen trips into the Arctic, trekking and paddling thousands of miles and encountering wolves, Inupiat hunters, and the oil-ravaged Prince William Sound. At this event, co-sponsored by the Alaska Coalition, he will blend historical narrative with vivid tales of his journeys, creating tension between past and present, science and politics, reflection and investigation. A book signing will follow and books will be available for purchase at the event, courtesy of Nicola's Books.Jon will also explore how oil exploration has choked Alaska's pristine wilderness and will trace the lives of Olaus and Mardie Murie, legendary conservationists who were devoted to the protection of America's Arctic. Jon is the author of eight books, published in several languages, and the only author whose books have twice won the Banff International Book Festival "Best Adventure Travel" award. He has been presented with a National Park Service Special Achievement Award for his rescue work on McKinley, the American Alpine Club's Literary Award, and is an honorary member for life of Phi Kappa Phi. Jon's television documentary films (The Logan Challenge, Surviving Denali, Odyssey Among the Inuit) have aired on PBS, ESPN, and the Outdoor Life Network. For more information, call 327-4560.