Democracy & Good Governance
Power in Partnership
2024 Annual Report
In an era of political turmoil and existential environmental threats, we need the power of the people to protect our planet more than ever. In 2024, our movement of passionate advocates, leading policy experts and determined member organizations pushed through setbacks, opposition and frustration to advance protections for this place we love.
Setbacks and hope in Michigan's environmental progress
A personal reflection on policy setbacks, persistent progress,and the people driving Michigan’s environmental movement forward—one step at a time.
Building a legacy of environmental philanthropy
How a childhood love of nature sparked a family’s ongoing commitment to support climate action, environmental justice and collective progress across Michigan.
Strengthening our environmental movement through collaboration
Through relationship-building, shared goals and new member benefits, we’re helping environmental organizations unite, grow and drive change across Michigan.
On setbacks and hope in Michigan's environmental progress:
“Students tend to reach out to me, some for projects; others, career advice. The final question many seem to ask is how I grapple with our seemingly ominous environmental future.
They’re often surprised and reassured when I tell them I feel better about our air, water and beloved places now that I work day in and out protecting it.
From working with grocers, retailers and drinking water advocates to reform Michigan’s iconic Bottle Bill; to organizing legislators to establish the first-ever transit taskforce; to fighting like hell to establish a desperately needed statewide septic code; our team never stops working.
And for the last two years, a rare Democratic trifecta positioned a rare opportunity to make profound change. But our year ended in a Lame Duck session that left the above protections (and more) dead in the water.
Yet, I still have hope. It quivered, but it’s still there, because all I need to do is turn toward my teammates and our members.
I think of our Michigan Alliance for the Lead Safe Homes, whose 200 members spent over a decade turning our state from an infamous place for lead poisoning into a national leader at ending it.
I think of our climate team, who helped turn a clean energy future from a pipe dream 20 years ago to something inevitable 20 years from now.
These efforts began and ran as incremental approaches. Hundreds of people would work and work for a bit of good news against a deluge of bad. And they’d do this and do this—building up support and research and funds—until suddenly everything changed.
-Beau Brocket, Communications Manager
Celebrating the wins
At our first annual ECOsystems Conference up at Crystal Mountain, we convened Environmental Council member organizations from across the Mitten to celebrate our collective hard work, grow together, and honor a very special advocate: Sandy Sorini Elser. For the last 14 years she’s served as a volunteer attorney with Legacy Land Conservancy, donating her time to help the organization with complex property law agreements that protect this place we love for generations to come.
Later in the year, we gathered again—this time at our 26th Milliken Award Celebration—to recognize another remarkable leader: John Erb. As president of the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, John has dedicated his work to protecting Michigan’s environment and strengthening communities. Under his leadership, the Foundation has invested in environmental research, education, and on-the-ground initiatives that advance clean water, healthy ecosystems, and sustainability. John’s enduring commitment to collaboration and innovative solutions made him a fitting recipient of the Helen & William Milliken Distinguished Service Award.
On building a legacy of environmental philanthropy and advoacy:
Discover how Tom Porter, inspired by childhood days spent exploring nature with his father, turned his passion for the environment into meaningful action. From serving on our board to leading a family foundation dedicated to climate action, equity and protecting the Great Lakes, Tom’s story shows how thoughtful philanthropy can help build a stronger, more inclusive environmental movement.
A Community of Practice made possible by Tom Porter
The Porter Family Foundation’s support helped bring our vision for a Community of Practice to life—a peer learning group built by and for BIPOC environmental leaders in Detroit. Their investment created a powerful space for connection, collaboration and advancing equity in Michigan’s environmental movement.
Here, Lionel Bradford of the Greening Detroit who participated in the group’s first cohort shares about the need in Detroit for a program like Community of Practice.
On strengthening Michigan's environmental movement through collaboration:
“I’ve got a little yellow notebook that’s been designated for “special note-taking” and travels with me wherever I go. It’s the kind of notebook reserved for big thoughts, important lists, favorite restaurants and the stray sketch. On a coffee-splotched page about a quarter of the way in, there’s a list of all our Environmental Council members. When I have the pleasure of connecting with a group for one of our many projects, I put a checkmark and a date next to that group’s name.
This exercise is something I learned during my time working in K–12 education advocacy. We had about 300 schools on our membership list and compared our school connection checklist at monthly meetings. At first I thought this task was daunting and disconnected from my daily work. But I did it, and boy did it pay off. I watched our membership weather a pandemic together with grace, trust and confidence—all because of the connection we had invested in.
The Environmental Council has had a similar vision: reestablish ourselves as the nucleus of Michigan’s impressive environmental movement. And in 2024 we made significant progress.
We capped off the year with 105 dues-paying members, following the launch of a new, tiered membership program—which came with even more member benefits, including our annual ECOsystems Conference, a convening of environmental professionals from every corner of the Mitten.
The conference earned high praise from our members, earning 94 registrants and a 94% attendance rate. To close the event out we awarded three members with $10,000 “ECOprizes” to advance a project of their choice. One winner, the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition, even used that prize as part of the Protect the Porkies advocacy efforts, earning a win in late 2024 as they blocked Highland Copper from obtaining the support needed to ramp up mining efforts in the U.P.
As we look at 2025 and beyond, we’re faced with a federal administration that has put a target on environmental regulation and progress. In-state, we are working with a split legislature who may not advance our priorities. But our membership provides us access to another group of people who have strength in numbers: Michigan voters, those people who can demand change in mass.
With each check mark in my little yellow notebook, I know I’m doing my part in answering the call for connection.
-Grace Noyola, Communications Director
More stories that shaped the year
From press releases and podcast episodes to editorials and feature stories, the Environmental Council brought big ideas and urgent issues to life through storytelling. This year, we covered everything from climate action to community victories—one story at a time. Below, you’ll find standout stories that shine further light on what our movement is capable of achieving. It’s just a small taste of the powerful, people-driven work happening across Michigan."
On ‘pristine’ beaches, a treasure trove of microplastics
What might Michigan’s dunes future look like? Hi, Saugatuck
Managing toxic relationships with Dr. Rediske
From dead zone to life abound: The Clinton River watershed
Legacy Land Conservancy volunteer named 2024 Petoskey Prize recipient
Real Representation? That’s no (Saginaw) CAP
Making healthcare healthier
Power to the people: energizing Alger County
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