Michigan partnerships promote environmental awareness

Earth Day 2024: Butterflies, bees, pollinators

April 17, 2024

Creativity, commitment, collaboration-–the power of Michigan’s partnerships is on full display this time of year for a shared cause.

Schools are connecting with governmental agencies. Small businesses are teaming with large businesses, and thousands of Michiganders will be joining millions around the globe to celebrate Earth Day 2024.

Established in 1970 and celebrated every April 22, Earth Day is designated to focus on ways to protect and preserve the earth.

“Throughout the year, Enbridge works to promote healthy, sustainable communities,” said Enbridge’s Lauren Brown, a community engagement advisor who’s based in the Upper Peninsula.

“We partner with Michigan communities, area organizations and schools to support through volunteerism and Enbridge Fueling Futures grants sustainability projects that help improve, grow and nurture our environment.”

Specifically for Earth Day, Enbridge will be hosting activities at the Enbridge Informational Center in St. Ignace (214 N. State St.) on Monday, April 22. Partnering with St. Ignace in Bloom, Enbridge will be serving light refreshments and distributing seeds from 4 to 7 p.m.

 

“Enbridge rights-of-way are an important habitat for pollinators— a place for bees, butterflies and moths. These species play an important role in a healthy ecosystem.”

—Lauren Brown, Enbridge’s community engagement manager in northern Michigan

“Gardens that attract butterflies and bees are important to our ecosystem,” said Brown.

“As such, we will be distributing pollinator seeds that will help community members plant or expand their gardens, which are environmentally beneficial as well as beautiful. But the work doesn’t stop there. Our pipeline rights-of-way (ROW) are also important as valuable habitat.”

Some people may not be aware of the miles of land along Enbridge’s ROW network, and its strips of land of varying widths that may contain one or more energy pipelines. These corridors in Michigan are prime areas allowing butterflies, bees and moths to thrive, helping flowering plants reproduce.

“These species are important pollinators supporting the health of ecosystems and agriculture,” Brown said.

More Earth Day activities

Statewide, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is hosting a poster contest, as well as its first Earth Day Student Summit.

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Grow the Earth, and MSU Science Festival, the April 25 sustainability conference will feature hands-on exhibits and immersive field experiences to explore careers in the environment.

To help advance Michigan’s sustainability efforts, EGLE also suggests:

• Recycling single-use bags by returning them to grocery stores.
• Recycling plastics (e.g., containers) no longer needed, or finding other uses for them.
• Donating unwanted clothing (rather than discarding it).
• Planting trees, native wildflower seeds or a butterfly garden.
• Riding a bike, hiking, canoeing, or kayaking.

For additional information on Enbridge’s commitment to the environment, click here.

To obtain ideas to celebrate earth day, click here, here or here.