Conservation and Environmentalism Movements in Michigan
Activism and Advocacy
American Lung Association of Michigan
- American Lung Association of Michigan records, 1944- 2000.
- 13 linear ft.
The American Lung Association of Michigan promotes respiratory health and advocates for prevention and control of all lung diseases. Since air quality is a large measure of lung disease prevention, the American Lung Association would provide researchers with a public health perspective on anti-polluter and environmental activism In 1991 the American Lung Association of Southeast Michigan (serving Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties) merged with the American Lung Association of Michigan (serving the other 80 counties).
Records of the American Lung Association of Southeast Michigan to 1991 and the statewide association after that year. Organizational files; minutes and other records of the board of directors and executive committee; correspondence; topical files; reports; committee files; and publications.
Arnheim, Mary
- Mary Arnheim papers, 1961-1981
- 50 items.
Mary Arnheim was a resident of Frankfort, MI and an environmental activist. The documents in the Arnheim papers document the establishment of the Sleeping Bear Lakeshore as a national park. Documents that describe 1974 development plans for the mouth of the Platte River are also included.
Correspondence and collected material, 1961-1963 and 1968- 1981, relating to the establishment of the Sleeping Bear Lakeshore as a national park; and papers relating to proposed development of the mouth of the Platte River, 1974.
Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination
- Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination records, 1978-1997.
- 11.75 linear ft.
This collection contains material pertaining to a grass-roots environmental organization that was formed to protest the use of pesticides against gypsy moths. Formed in 1978 in Clare County, MI, the Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination widened the focus of the organization to advocate other environmental issues, in addition to anti-pesticide activism.
Community organizing flyer used by CACC
in the legal effort to hold Dow Chemical
accountable for dioxin contamination in Midland,
MI. Folder "Subject Files: Incineration. Dow
Chemical Dioxin-Burning Incinerator Litigation
(1992-1994). "Citizens Against Chemical
Contamination records, Box 7.
Series in this record group include organizational files, Eco Conferences, subject files, and related organizations. Organizational files includes minutes, newsletters, reports, correspondence, grant proposals, and other materials relating to the work of the organization. The Eco Conferences series documents annual conference bringing together speakers to lead talks and workshops. This series includes annual planning files and audiocassettes and videocassettes of the conferences. Subject files contains correspondence, reports, background information, and other information on environmental issues. Related organizations consists of files on other Michigan and local environmental groups.
Citizens Opposed to Super Sewer
- Citizens Opposed to Super Sewer records, 1968-1976.
- 1 linear ft.
Citizens Opposed to Super Sewer was established in 1968 to combat the proposed construction of a "super sewer" system, which would provide for the construction of a centralized sewer line that would transport and treat sewage from Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Wayne counties before releasing it into Lake Erie.
This collection contains organizational records, newspaper clippings, correspondence files, as well as topical files detailing various aspects of the super sewer opposition campaign.
Don't Waste Michigan
- Don't Waste Michigan records, 1987-1990.
- .5 linear ft.
Don't Waste Michigan was formed in 1988 and is engaged in increasing state environmental protections against nuclear contamination for Michigan lands and waterways. Don't Waste Michigan worked to prevent the construction of nuclear waste disposal facility in Michigan. The organization also lobbied for increased transparency in nuclear waste site selection, among other nuclear energy and waste issues.
Administrative files include minutes and agenda of meetings, newsletters, press releases and promotional flyers, and brief history; background information on proposed superconducting super collider.
East Michigan Environmental Action Council
- East Michigan Environmental Action Council records, 1969- 1989.
- 6 linear ft.
The East Michigan Environmental Action Council, a citizen action group, tackled a wide range of environmental issues, including air and water pollution, hazardous waste disposal, garbage and sanitation policies, as well as conservation of natural resources and environmental protections.
Series in record group include Administrative, Grants and Proposals, Litigation, Topical, and Great Lakes and Water Resources Planning Commission.
Ecology Center of Ann Arbor
- Ecology Center of Ann Arbor records, 1970-1990.
- 10 linear ft. and 1 oversize volume (Bw Outsize).
Ecology Center volunteers with glass collected at the
Recycle Center, S. Industrial in Ann Arbor. Folder
"Miscellaneous (1)." Ecology Center of Ann Arbor,
Box 10.
Founded in 1970, the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor is a grassroots community organization committed to increasing environmental awareness, though outreach, environmental education, lobbying efforts, and consulting services.
Meeting minutes, financial statements, correspondence, newsclippings, photographs and publications from 1970 to 1990 relating to the activities and functions of the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor, especially in the areas of recycling, energy conservation, and ecology; also administrative papers and minutes of Washtenaw Environmental Council and Recycle Ann Arbor, as well as files on Ann Arbor Tomorrow Council and Citizens Association for Area Planning.
Hathaway, Mary
- Mary Hathaway papers, 1980-2003.
- 6 linear ft.
Ann Arbor area peace and social justice activist; involved in both church and community organizations concerned with topics as diverse as nuclear disarmament, homelessness in Ann Arbor, and the immigration rights of El Salvador refugees.
The collection includes organizational and church files detailing Hathaway's various activities with peace and civil rights groups, including the Coalition for Arms Control (renamed the Peace and Environmental Coalition Against Nuclear Weapons), the Coalition Against War in the Gulf, and the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice. The collection also concerns her role in establishing emergency shelters for Ann Arbor's homeless community and her involvment with the Church and Society Committee and the Peace Task Force of the First Presbyterian Church.
Hilbert, Morton S.
- Morton S. Hilbert papers, 1943-1999.
- 2.5 linear feet.
As a public health professional, one of the co-founders of Earth Day, and professor of environmental health at the University of Michigan, Morton S. Hilbert advocated for environmental health to promote good public health.
The materials in the collection document Hilbert's professional activities: his consulting business, teaching activities, as well as speeches and published articles. The collection also contains miscellaneous personal and visual materials, including a DVD of educational programs featuring Hilbert and two photographs of Hilbert at professional meetings.
Johnson, Brian K.
- Brian K. Johnson papers, 1974-1992, bulk 1989-1991.
- 0.5 linear feet and 1 tube.
Brian K. Johnson served as a consultant on issues related to the Traxler Landfill in Pinconning, Michigan.
Reports, correspondence, drawings, and newspaper clippings that document the controversy over the Traxler Landfill, includes materials documenting the incorporation of Dumpbusters, a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental issues.
Lynn, Janet D.
- Janet D. Lynn papers, 1970-1998.
- 3.7 linear ft.
A land use activist from West Bloomfield, Michigan, Janet D. Lynn founded the Citizens Council for Land Use Research and Education, Inc. (CLURE) in 1971. The formation of this activist organization was the result of Lynn's growing concern that West Bloomfield Township's natural beauty was threatened by development. The Janet D. Lynn Papers primarily document CLURE's land use activism and education efforts.
Correspondence, clippings, reports and other materials relating to debate over proposed extension of Northwestern Highway, 1972-1981, and to the opposition of her organization to the building of shopping centers in West Bloomfield and Novi, Michigan.
Michigan Botanical Club
- Michigan Botanical Club records, 1941-1993.
- 5 linear ft.
Organization formed in 1941 with the purpose of conserving all plants native to Michigan. The name of the organization was originally the Michigan Wildflower Association. The name was changed in 1949.
This collection contains administrative documents, as well as newsletters, records of chapter activities, and miscellaneous publications.
Michigan Citizens Against Toxic Substances
- Michigan Citizens Against Toxic Substances records, 1973- 1999.
- 7 linear ft.
The Michigan Citizens against Toxic Substances was formed as a vehicle to protest the proposed location of a hazardous waste disposal site in Milan, MI, at an old landfill on Arkona Road.
The green expanse is the capped Arkona landfill,
covered with recent grass growth. Folder "Aerial
Photos of Arkona Road Landfill Site. 1979, 1991, 1994."
Michigan Citizens Against Toxic Substances, Box 5.
The record group includes organizational materials, correspondence, research materials, photographs, and clippings. Organizational Materials contains files relating to MCATS operating structure documenting the work of various committees. Included are meeting agendas and minutes, Arkona Road Landfill fact sheets, flyers, and information of current hazardous waste management laws. The Correspondence series contains internal correspondence within MCATS, letters and communication between MCATS, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, EPA, governmental officials, and Envotech. The series, Technical Research on Arkona Road Landfill Site and Deep Waste Injection Wells, contains information and research on deep waste injection wells by MCATS and the EPA.
Michigan Garden Clubs
- Michigan Garden Clubs records, 1931-2005.
- 4 linear ft.
Michigan umbrella organization of separate local gardening clubs and groups. The Michigan Garden Clubs organization sponsored various gardening, environmental, and conservation educational programs, awards, and events. The organization?s name was changed from Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan in 2005.
Administrative records, including historical information, minutes and reports, and national convention materials; activities files concern education programs and specific area and Michigan gardening projects; files of the Landscape Design Critics Council and the Gardening Consultants Council; topical files of member Ruth Knott; awards files; and miscellaneous.
Michigan Land Use Institute
- Michigan Land Use Institute records, 1995-2007.
- 47 linear ft.
The Michigan Land Use Institute founded in 1995 to advocate and encourage environmentally sound land use in northern Michigan. The Institute uses a variety of educational and political avenues to promote its mission of developing the economy in such a way that strengthens communities while protecting Michigan's natural resources. Several of the issues in which the Institute is involved is transportation policy, housing and land use policy, water rights and river protections, local agriculture, urban and community planning.
The Michigan Land Use Institute records contain materials dating from the Institute's inception in 1995 through 2007 and originating from a number of different offices and administrative units. The collection has been divided into five series, Legal, Library, Policy Files, Program Files, and Visual and Electronic Materialss.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs
- Michigan United Conservation Clubs records, 1937-2004.
- 24 linear ft. and 2 oversize volumes.
From reverse: "One of the moose released in U.P. from
Ontario during Feb. 1987. Note sesquicentennial sticker
on collar." Folder "Moose." Michigan United Conservation
Clubs records, Box 21.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs are a federated group of state conservation and environmental organizations.
Administrative files, including minutes of board of directors and executive committee; press releases and other published materials; files of district organizations and of various organization committees; and photographs.
Mill Creek Research Council, inc.
- Mill Creek Research Council, inc. records, 1960-1988.
- 9 linear ft. and 1 oversize folder.
The Mill Creek Research Council was formally established in 1964 to protest the Army Corps of Engineers proposal to flood the Mill Creek area in order to allow for the creation of more efficient sewage treatment facilities. The MCRC remained active throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, advocating for low-impact use of land and water in the Lima township area.
Correspondence, environmental impact statements, administrative files, newsletters, newspaper articles, topical files, maps, and photographs.
Milliken, Helen
- Helen W. Milliken papers, 1965-1982.
- 18.4 linear ft.
Before and after photos of the anti-billboard project,
MI Department of State Highways and Transportation.
Folder "Miscellaneous." Helen W. Milliken papers, Box 19.
The wife of Michigan governor William Milliken, Helen Milliken was an leader in her own right. Though Helen Milliken spent the majority of her career working for women's rights, she lent her abilities and talents to environmental causes as well, such as billboard control, bans on disposable bottles, and opposition to oil drilling in Pigeon River State Forest. Helen Milliken belonged to numerous environmentalist and conservationist organizations, such as the Michigan Environmental Association, the Michigan Nature Association, Zero Population Growth, and the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan.
Topical files relating to Artrain, the Michigan Council for the Arts, the International Women's Year, Youth for Understanding, women's rights issues, notably the Equal Rights Amendment, and environmental protection issues; correspondence files; appearance files; and photographs.
M.O.S.E.S.
- M.O.S.E.S. records, 1993-2003
- 3 linear ft.
Inter-racial, inter-faith organization established in 1997 to strengthen metropolitan Detroit congregations and communities through social programs, leadership training, and encouragement of civic participation. M.O.S.E.S was formed from three faith-based organizations: Jeremiah, West Detroit Inter-faith Community Organization, and NOAH. The name M.O.S.E.S. is an acronym for Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength.
History and background materials, financial files, executive board files, and records of Jeremiah Project Board.
Munger, Edith Cushway
- Edith Cushway Munger papers, 1907-1945.
- .5 linear ft.
Edith Cushway Munger was president of the Michigan Audubon Society, and was an avid bird-watcher.
Her collection contains correspondence with noted naturalists and outdoorsmen of the contemporary period, speeches given under Audubon Society auspices, lists of birds that Edith Munger had observed, and 1 envelope of photographs depicting Munger in her Society office.
Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council
- Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council records, 1980-2005.
- 3 linear feet.
The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council focuses on environmental and conservation issues in the Grand Traverse region of Michigan, primarily drawing its membership from Grand Traverse counties. Since 1980, the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council has been advocating for ecologically sound land use policies, toxic clean-up efforts directed at corporate polluters, and transportation policy.
The records document NMEAC's involvement in issues of land use, toxic cleanup, and transportation. Some specific issues addressed include conservation efforts on the Crystal and Boardman Rivers, cleanup of lands contaminated by the activities of corporate polluters, and the management of lands formerly occupied by the State Psychiatric Hospital and Asylum in Traverse City.
Saint Francis Prayer Center
- Saint Francis Prayer Center records, 1993-2001.
- 2 linear ft.
The Saint Francis Prayer Center is a Catholic retreat house originally founded to provide a sanctuary space for Flint residents to engage with each other to overcome racial and religious divisions.
Flyer distributed to community.
Genesee County Power Station,
Misc. 74--Flyers" Saint Francis
Prayer Center records, Box 2.
Genesee County Power Station.
Folder "Genesee County Power
Station, Misc. 77. Slide
Presenation to AQCC."
Saint Francis Prayer Center
records, Box 2.
Starting in 1993, the Prayer Center has been an active participant in environmental litigation that would close the Genesee Power Station in Flint, Michigan which was releasing a significant amount of lead into the community. The Prayer Center participated in legal action again in 1998 to prevent construction of the Select Steel Plant in Flint. The St. Francis Prayer Center collection provides insight into intersection between environmental activism and social and community justice.
Litigation files include briefs, motions, exhibits, correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and related materials detailing the Center's efforts to fight environmental racism.
Sierra Club. Michigan Chapter
- Sierra Club, Michigan Chapter records, 1964-2007.
- 21 linear ft.
Michigan chapter of the Sierra Club, begun in 1964, but not formally organized until 1967. The Chapter was originally named the Mackinac Chapter. The name was changed to Michigan Chapter in 2006.
Executive committee records, 1964-1987 with scattered later records to 1994; administrative files documenting the operation and programs of the chapter; files relating to the relationship between the chapter and Michigan Department of Natural Resources; issue files pertaining to matters of environmental health, notably matters of air quality and waste management, and the protection of the state's land and water, with extensive documentation of state and national lands and wetlands; legislative files; topical files on all matters environmental; and miscellaneous visual materials, including DVDs of environmental documentaries.
Sinclair, Mary P.
- Mary P. Sinclair paperss, 1967-1999.
- 37 linear ft.
Nuclear reactors near dead end street. Folder
"Nuclear Power in Michigan Slide
Presentation." Mary P. Sinclair papers, Box 36.
Mary Sinclair campaigned tirelessly against the construction of nuclear power plants and the irresponsible disposal and storage of nuclear waste in Michigan. She began her professional career as a librarian, becoming interesting in energy and nuclear issues when the construction of a nuclear plant was proposed near her home of Midland, MI. The Mary P. Sinclair papers illustrate how one individual's efforts can have a wide and far-reaching impact on environmental issues.
"To Mary Sinclair from Consumers
Power Co." Folder "Visual Materials."
Mary P. Sinclair papers, Box 36.
Click to enlarge.
Correspondence; her statements, articles, and letters to newspaper editors; reference files; conference and consultation materials; and photographs.
Tanton, John
- John Tanton papers, 1960-2001.
- 17 linear ft.
John Tanton advocated for environmental, population control, and immigration causes. Tanton took on leadership roles in many environmental groups and agencies, including the Sierra Club, Michigan Natural Areas Council, Wilderness and Natural Areas Advisory Board, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Advisory Commission, and the Environmental Fund.
Organization and litigation files relating to his various interests and activities; includes correspondence, legal documents, memos, topical files, and miscellaneous photographs; also oral history interview transcripts of John Tanton interviewed by Otis Graham.
Vakalo, Kathleen L.
- Kathleen L. Vakalo papers, 1971-1991.
- 4 linear ft.
Kathleen L. Vakalo, a resident of Ann Arbor, MI, became a lay expert on the topic of low-level radioactive waste control, through independent study as well as participation in radioactive waste control advocacy organizations.
Accumulated materials relating to her participation in various commissions and agencies concerned with the issue of low- level radioactive waste control. The series in the collection are Midwest Interstate Low-Level Waste Commission, the Michigan Low- Level Radioactive Waste Authority, the International Low-Level Radioactive Waste Research and Education Institute and topical files.
West Michigan Environmental Action Council
- West Michigan Environmental Action Council records, 1968- 2005.
- 19.5 linear ft.
The West Michigan Environmental Action Council, established in Grand Rapids, MI in 1968 continues to be a driving force in the passage of environmental protection legislation and an active environmental watchdog organization.
Administrative, educational, legislative, and litigation files relating to various environmental issues, notably the Pigeon River Country State Forest oil drilling controversy, the problem of solid waste disposal, land and water use, and nuclear energy; contain files of executive directors Joan Wolfe, Roger Conner, Kenneth Sikkema, Frank Ruswick, Jr., Robert Newberry, and Thomas Leonard.
Developed by Rachael Dreyer, Graduate Reference Assistant, June 2009.