Resources on Land Use and Sustainable Communities
Each subtopic includes a mix of resources: some with a national focus, and others specific to our home community of Southeast Michigan. The Michigan resources have been specially selected for students and teachers in "Lessons from the Land," our regional land use education program.
Agriculture
American Farmland Trust: Works for permanent protection for American farmland. Link to Central Great Lakes Region. http://www.farmland.org/cgl/index.htm
Farmland Information Center: The FIC is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship. http://www.farmlandinfo.org/
Food System Economic Partnership: FSEP is an urban-rural collaborative whose mission it is to create local food system development opportunities and enhance community viability in Southeast Michigan. FSEP aims to identify economic opportunities and implement creative solutions to chronic issues relevant to the food system in the region. http://www.fsepmichigan.org
Agriculture in Michigan
Michigan Department of Agriculture: The MDA serves, promotes and protects the food, agricultural, environmental and economic interests of the people of Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/mda
Michigan Farmland and Open Space Protection Program: A Michigan initiative to protect land. http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1567_1599_2558-10301--,00.html
Michigan Farmland and Community Alliance: MFCA's mission is to preserve farmland in Michigan, now and for the future by connecting people, organizations and communities with information, education and leadership development resources designed to help preserve Michigan's valuable farmland. http://www.mfcaonline.com/
Michigan Food Policy Council: The Michigan Food Policy Council cultivates a safe, healthy and readily available food supply for all of Michigan's residents while building on the state’s agricultural diversity to enhance economic growth. http://www.mda.state.mi.us/mfpc/index.html
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Land Conservation
Michigan Natural Areas Council: The Michigan Natural Areas Council is dedicated to the preservation of natural areas of outstanding scenic beauty or scientific value that are representative of the full value of the state of Michigan's natural wealth. http://www.cyberspace.org/~mnac/
The Michigan Nature Conservancy: The mission of the Nature Conservancy is to protect the plants, animals and natural communities that that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/michigan/
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy: Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy is an organization dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of natural and agricultural land in the seven county southeast Michigan region. They also work to educate the public and public policy makers about land conservation issues. http://landconservancy.com/
The Trust for Public Land: The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. http://www.tpl.org/
Washtenaw Land Trust: The Washtenaw Land Trust protects natural areas and working farms in Washtenaw, Jackson, and Ingham counties, Michigan. http://www.washtenawlandtrust.org/
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Land Use Planning
American Planning Association: The APA is an organization dedicated to city and regional planning. It brings together planning commissioners and planners working at every level of government, in universities, in consultancies ranging from one-person firms to multinational corporations, and in a myriad of specialties. http://www.planning.org. The site also has a kids' section, (http://www.planning.org/kidsandcommunity), and a page with links to multiple research topics, including impact fees, home rule, and brownfields. (http://www.planning.org/resources-yc)
Environmental Protection Agency: The EPA's land disposal restrictions regarding the disposal of hazardous waste. http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/resources/policies/civil/rcra/ldisressumm-rpt.pdf
Land Use Planning in Michigan
The Ecology Center: The Ecology Center is a regional leader in the struggle for clean air, safe water, healthy communities and environmental justice. http://www.ecocenter.org
Michigan In Brief: Land Use and Sustainability: Provides a look at land use decisions in Michigan.http://www.michiganinbrief.org/edition07/Chapter5/LandUse.htm
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.The MI DEQ protects and enhances Michigan’s environment and public health. http://www.michigan.gov/deq
Michigan Land Use Institute: The Michigan Land Use Institute seeks approaches to economic development that strengthens communities, enhances opportunity, and protects the state's unmatched natural resources. The MLUI helps Michigan avoid the patterns of suburban sprawl and over-development that cause traffic congestion, pollution, loss of community, rising costs to individuals and governments, and a deteriorating quality of life.http://www.mlui.org/
Michigan Land Use Leadership Council: The Council provides recommendations to the governor and legislative leaders on the trends, causes, and consequences of unmanaged growth and development. http://www.michiganlanduse.org/
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments: Information about regional land use trends. http://www.semcog.org/Data/LandUse/index.htm
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Local Governments
Michigan Governments: Links to local government websites by county. Click on your loclal unit of government to be directed to their homepage, where you can find information about local comprehensive maps and zoning codes. http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/michloc.html
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments: SEMCOG plans in areas that cross jurisdictional boundaries in the Southeast Michigan region that encompasses Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. http://www.semcog.org/
State and Local Government on the Net: A directory of state, county, and city government websites. http://www.statelocalgov.net/state-mi.cfm
Washtenaw County Dept. Of Planning and Environment: Comprehensive Plan for Washtenaw County. http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/planning_environment/comp_plan/adopted_plan/finalplan_html
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School Funding in Michigan
Michigan Association of School Boards: The MASB is a voluntary association of local school board members that wants to provide quality educational leadership services for all Michigan boards of education and to advocate for student achievement and public education. Follow the link to their statement regarding school funding. http://www.masb.org/page.cfm/645/
Michigan in Brief: K-12 Funding: Provides a look at school funding in Michigan. http://www.michiganinbrief.org/edition07/Chapter5/K12Funding.htm
Michigan Citizens for Fairness in Public School Funding: The purpose of this group is to inform and educate the community on issues regarding school funding. http://www.mischoolfunding.org/
Michigan Department of Education: Documents from local school officials across the state regarding the challenges that Michigan public schools face. http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-5373_34321---,00.html
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Supporting Local Economies
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies: BALLE works to build long-term economic empowerment and prosperity in communities through local business ownership, economic justice, cultural diversity and a healthy natural environment. http://www.livingeconomies.org/
E.F. Schumaher Society: An organization that works to link people, land and community by build local economies. http://www.schumachersociety.org/
Local Initiative Support Corporation: Detroit LISC supports resident-led community development corporations revitalizing their neighborhoods citywide. http://www.lisc.org/detroit/
National Trust Main Street Center: A resource for commercial district revitalization. http://www.mainstreet.org/
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Sustainable Communities
American Planning Association: APA is a nonprofit public interest and research organization committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. Follow the link to their “Smart Growth Reader.” http://www.planning.org/sgreader/
Citizens Network for Sustainable Development: The Citizens Network for Sustainable Development (CitNet) is an independent, non-profit, network bringing together US based organizations, communities, and individuals working on sustainability issues across the US. www.citnet.org
EcoIQ.com Sustainable Communities: EcoIQ.com exists to support and promote a transition to sustainability. They provide media and educational products and services, and focus on the strategies, tactics and tools needed by leaders, educators, and advocates working for sustainability. http://www.ecoiq.com/sustainability/
EPA's Office of Sustainable Ecosystems and Communities: Community-Based Environmental Protection (CBEP) is an organization within the EPA that integrates environmental management with human needs, considers long-term ecosystem health and highlights the positive correlations between economic prosperity and environmental well-being. http://www.epa.gov/ecocommunity
ICLEI: International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives: ICLEI is an international association of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development http://www.iclei.org.
Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC): ISC is an independent, nonprofit organization that helps communities in existing and emerging democracies solve problems while building a better future for themselves and the world.http://www.iscvt.org/
Smart Growth Network: A joint organization between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and non-profit and government organizations formed in response to increasing community concerns about the need for growth that boosts the economy, protects the environment and enhances community vitality. http://www.smartgrowth.org/
Sierra Club: The Challenge to Sprawl Campaign works to fight poorly planned runaway development and promotes smart growth communities that increase transportation choices, reduce air and water pollution, and protect our natural places. http://www.sierraclub.org/sprawl/
Sprawl Busters: Sprawl-Busters is an anti-sprawl organization that helps local community coalitions design and implement successful campaigns against megastores and other undesirable large-scale developments. http://www.sprawl-busters.com/
Sprawl Watch: Sprawl Watch is a non-profit dedicated to making the tools, techniques, and strategies developed to manage growth accessible to citizens, grassroots organizations, environmentalists, public officials, planners, architects, the media and business leaders. See the report Creating a Health Environment: The Impact of the Built Environment on Public Health (Jackson, Richard J., MD, MPH and Chris Kochtitzky MSP). www.sprawlwatch.org
Sustainable Communities Leadership Program (SCLP): SCLP is a non-profit that focuses on economic development, environmental issues, social equity and civic engagement. http://www.eco.org/sclp/
Sustainable Communities Network: SCN is an organization that works to identify quality resources on sustainability and to disseminate them in a timely way to the public. http://www.sustainable.org/
Sustainable Measures: Sustainable Measures develops indicators that measure progress toward a sustainable economy, society and environment. http://www.sustainablemeasures.com/
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Transportation in Southeast Michigan
Ann Arbor to Detroit Transit Study: The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Regional Transit Plan ('the transit plan') advocates for an improved transit system that would enhance the overall transportation system in the region, provide greater mobility options and improve the region's economic competitiveness. http://www.annarbordetroitrapidtransitstudy.com/
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) Transportation Planning: SEMCOG is responsible for, among other things, coordinating the transportation planning process in the seven-county region of Southeast Michigan, collecting and providing data for regional studies, and developing the long-range transportation plans. http://www.semcog.org/TranPlan/index.htm
Transportation Riders United: A citizens’ group whose mission is to improve transportation access and mobility in Greater Detroit. www.detroittransit.org
Washtenaw Area Transportation Study: A regional organization that focuses on transportation planning. http://www.miwats.org
Washtenaw County Comprehensive Plan: Click on Chapter 10: Transportation. http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/planning_environment/comp_plan/adopted_plan/finalplan_html
Air Pollution Information: Type in your zip code to see specific information on Washtenaw County's air quality at the Environmental Defense Fund's scorecard site. http://www.scorecard.org
Cleaner School Buses
The National Biodiesel Board: The national trade association of the biodiesel industry in the United States. http://www.biodiesel.org/
National Resources Defense Council: An environmental organization. www.nrdc.org/air/transportation/schoolbus/sbusinx.asp
The Union of Concerned Scientists: A nonprofit organization of scientists concerned about environmental issues. Click on 'trucks and buses. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/
The State of Michigan Energy Office: Information about energy efficiency and renewable energy resource development for Michigan's residents, businesses and public institutions. http://www.michigan.gov/energyoffice
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Washtenaw County History
Web and print resources about Washtenaw County, Michigan including local history and the Huron River
African American History ("Another Ann Arbor"): A site dedicated to local African American history. Includes interviews, historical photographs, and a local timeline. http://www.anotherannarbor.org/index.php
Archives - multiple: This site, home of a local history project run by the University of Michigan, offers searchable archives of historical and contemporary materials including maps, photographs, personal letters, and government records. Many of the archived materials come from the Bentley Library (see next listing). http://artsofcitizenship.umich.edu/sos/
Bentley Historical Library: Provides online primary documents relating to local history. http://www.umich.edu/~bhl/
Huron River history: Site run by the University of Michigan, designed for students studying the Huron River. Useful links to Huron River history and topics. http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/sos/new/topics/hurontopics.html
Huron River - multiple topics: The Huron River Watershed Council website has a links page that connects to sites on water science, policy, and other areas. http://www.hrwc.org/1linkres.htm
Huron River Watershed Council: Provides information on current land use planning and includes an extensive list of links concerning the Huron River, local land use, and local environmental issues. http://www.hrwc.org/
Mapping, on-line and interactive: The Southeast Michigan’s Council of Government site has interactive maps of land use, census info., demographics, and other statistics. Users can choose a location, "overlay" layers of information, and print the graphics. http://www.semcog.org/data/gis/
Maps, multiple: The University of Michigan Map Library has a variety of print and on-line resources and Michigan maps. http://www.lib.umich.edu/maplib/michmaps.htm
Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries: Access to extensive historical and cultural resources, including the State Archives of Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/hal
Michigan Land Use Institute: Well-researched articles and policy papers on land use, state policy, agriculture, and related matters. http://www.mlui.org/html/publications.asp
Pittsfield Township Historical Society: Provides information on local history including historic maps, census samples, interviews, local music, geology, and political history. http://www.pittsfieldhistory.org/
Saline Area Historical Society: Provides general description of local history, including information on local historical sites, an in-depth description of Saline from 1889, transportation history, and historical maps. http://www.salinehistory.org/
Washtenaw County Historic District Commission (WCHDC): An extensive compilation of surveys of historic resources. Includes a variety of recent maps and current land use reports. http://histweb.ewashtenaw.org
Washtenaw County Comprehensive Plan: The complete land use plan for the County, downloadable in PDF files, can be accessed from this page. http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/planning_environment/comp_plan
Washtenaw County Historical Society: The WCHS is one of the key organizations focused on local history. On-line resources include a listing of books on Washtenaw County. http://www.washtenawhistory.org/
Ypsilanti Historical Society Archives: Website provides extensive online photo gallery. The museum itself is located at220 N. Huron, Ypsilanti, MI 48197; 482-4990; Hours: 9am-noon Monday-Friday. Their non-circulating collection includes: County and local history books, city directories; some church, land, military, court, and city tax records. Obituary card file (50,000 cards), cemetery reference, artifacts and documents dating to the founding of Ypsilanti. Newspapers and newspaper clippings. Family genealogies. Maps and atlases (bird's-eye maps available for sale). Original diaries, papers, and manuscripts. Card catalog of events, 1830-1961. Street, biographical, and subject files (historic homes, buildings, churches, schools, railroads, black history, the underground railroad, Willow Run). http://www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org/
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Water Quality
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.The MI DEQ protects and enhances Michigan’s environment and public health. Find EPA sites or County sites that have real-time data on the environment. http://www.michigan.gov/deq
Huron River Watershed Council: The Huron River Watershed Council inspires attitudes, behaviors, and economies that protect, rehabilitate, and sustain the Huron River System. http://www.hrwc.org/
Southeast Michigan Council of Governments: SEMCOG is the designated area-wide water quality management agency and works with member governments to implement policies and recommendations in their Water Quality Management Plan. http://www.semcog.org/RegPlan/Environment/WaterQuality/
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Selected Print Materials - Find these in your local library
- Bernard, Ted and Jora Young. The Ecology of Hope:Communities Collaborate for Sustainability. Gabriola Island, Canada: New Society Publishers. 1997
- Benfield, F. Kaid, Matthew D. Raimi, and Donald D.T. Chen. Once There were Greenfields: How Urban Sprawl is Undermining America's Environment, Economy, and Social Fabric. Washington: National Resources Defense Council. 1999.
- Duany, Andres, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck. Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. New York: North Point Press, 2000.
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