A Greener Metroparks

This year your Huron-Clinton Metroparks have committed to working harder towards “going green.” As stewards of the environment, we know it is our duty to create a more sustainable future. Multiple projects are underway to reduce waste, increase recycling and grow the Metroparks green footprint. Projects are as small as fishing line recycling bins at our fishing sites or larger such as sustainable golf course turf management.

Thinking green has allowed us to create sustainable partnerships. Lake St. Clair Metropark has partnered with Waste Management, DTE, and First State Bank to expand its recycling program. You will now see many blue recycling containers throughout the park to encourage visitors to recycle their plastic water bottles. “Sustainability and resource conservation are major goals for our regional park system,” said Nina Kelly, the Metroparks Chief of Planning and Development. “We look forward to working together with our partners to help educate and empower our park patrons to reduce their environmental impact while enjoying the park.”

The Metroparks are also focused on serving up food on a greener platter. We started the summer by shedding 500 pounds of single use plastic food packaging and utensils! Moving forward, our food service and concessions are using more eco-friendly products that aren’t harmful to wildlife or the environment. We then donated those previously mentioned single use items to the Gleaners Community Food Bank to benefit those in need. Gleaners will be distributing the donated inventory to soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters, senior homes, schools, and others.

But going green isn’t just about recycling and food packaging. Our team is making strides towards other sustainable practices as well and planning for future efforts. You can read more about it in our “Present and Future Sustainability Action Plan” and follow our social media pages for #SustainabilitySunday posts every week.

Follow in our footsteps. Be on the lookout for the Metroparks sustainability footprint to see what we’re doing and how you can help!