50 years, 50 stories: Story #15 Ecology Center

Protecting and Sustaining Our Local Environment

Founded in 1970 just after the nation’s first Earth Day celebration, the Ecology Center has worked to promote a safe and healthy environment through programs for recycling, clean energy, healthy food, and non-toxic products. Established in 1977, Recycle Ann Arbor launched Michigan’s first curbside recycling program. Today, it offers a variety of innovative recycling and reuse services for households, businesses and municipalities. 

Since merging in 1981, both nonprofits have expanded their programs significantly—thanks in part to more than $170,000 in grants from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

A start-up grant in 1972 helped launch Ann Arbor’s first drop-off recycling stations. Additional grants have funded teacher workshops, equipment upgrades, collection bins, educational programs for K-12 students, and a program to salvage, repair and distribute used bicycles. And a $58,000 grant in 2009 helped the Ecology Center launch Michigan’s first local clean energy financing program. Mike Garfield, Director of the Ecology Center, notes: “AAACF has been an important partner for the Ecology Center and Recycle Ann Arbor throughout our history.”

One of the many ways the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation
supports all that is good in our community.

Read more “good” stories at: aaacf.org/stories