Our Mission, Vision & History
Following decades of environmental disasters and discovery across Michigan came the 1970s, a time of great progress. the Michigan Environmental Council was established to continue Michigan’s environmental movement through public policy solutions.
Our mission
The Michigan Environmental Council’s mission is to champion lasting protections for Michigan’s air, water, and the places we love.
Our vision
In our vision, Michigan is a national environmental policy leader where a powerful network of advocates has built a track record of enacting enduring and equitable policies that protect the health of our communities and offer unparalleled stewardship of our air, water and places we love in the face of climate change.
Our history
The Michigan Environmental Council, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was formed in 1980 by the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, the East Michigan Environmental Action Council, The Sierra Club Mackinac Chapter, Michigan Audubon, what is now known as the Detroit Bird Alliance and the now-defunct Flint Environmental Action Team.
Following major progress for the environment in the 1970s, local advocates wanted to make sure the movement had a voice in Michigan’s Capitol. Now, with nearly 100 member organizations and the largest advocacy staff of its kind in the state, we are doing just that.
Here are some of the biggest wins for Michigan’s air, water, places and people, made possible by the Environmental Council and its membership.
Climate & Energy
2000: Secured $300 million for low-income energy efficiency improvements. Hundreds of millions have been secured since.
2001: Helped save electric customers $50 million in the courts. Billions of dollars have been saved since.
2023: Michigan commits to 100% clean energy by 2040 after a massive advocacy movement.
Water
1993: With 163 state employees and the attorney general’s office, attempts to leave groundwater uncontrolled and unmonitored are fought off.
2005: Michigan becomes the last Great Lakes State to stop private entities from making unlimited, permitless water withdrawals.
2022: Three billion dollars for clean water and land is secured, one of the largest investments of its kind in state history.
Land & Wildlife
1990: Polluting businesses are forced to pay for their messes. The champion in the Michigan Senate, Lana Pollack, later becomes our executive director.
2013: The first of three projects mapping the world’s largest assemblage of freshwater dunes begins.
2020: Voters overwhelmingly approve a permanent fund for public land with strong commitments toward urban nature restoration.
Health & Justice
2004: Toxic flame retardants are banned.
2009: The state’s first environmental justice plan is established.
2023: Lead tests for all toddlers becomes law. Water filters for every school and childcare center soon follow, both made possible by coalitions of parents and healthcare professionals.
Transportation
2010: Complete Streets comes to Michigan, leading local communities to consider more than cars when planning transportation infrastructure.
2012: After 25 legislative attempts, the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan is established with the leadership of Transportation Riders United.
2018: Awareness of and advocacy for public transportation swells after a ballot proposal to greatly expand transit to 3 million Michiganders narrowly fails.
Waste Reduction
2009: A pilot curbside recycling program in Detroit is established. Nine years later, Detroit will lose its designation as the largest city without a recycling service.
2022: Michigan law changes to prioritize recycling and reuse infrastructure over landfills.
2023: Detroit’s dangerous waste incinerator is demolished after years of advocacy.
Democracy & Good Governance
1993: Two-thirds of voters approve a $675 million state bond with major investments in environmental protections.
2000: After a yearslong fight, “right to know” laws pass, increasing transparency in energy production, beach closures, lead poisoning, sewage and toxic pollution.
2023: Michigan revokes laws that prevented itself from setting pollution protections stricter than the federal government.
Power environmental change today.
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