Canton Township was recently recognized by the statewide Michigan Green Communities program for environmental leadership. As part of the 2021 Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Challenge, 44 participating local governments were awarded gold, silver, or bronze seals of achievement reflecting community leadership in areas such as energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, recycling, environmental justice, and more. Ten communities received bronze certification, 12 received silver certification, and 22 received gold certification.
Canton achieved gold status for exemplary action in multiple categories, including: planning, economic development, land use, climate resilience, climate adaptation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, materials management (AKA recycling, composting, waste diversion), water conservation and protection, clean mobility, and community engagement.
“We are thrilled and proud to be awarded a Gold Certified Michigan Green Community, in Canton,” said Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak. “We continue to collaborate and target actions to become a more sustainable community through our board goals and the hard work of our employees. Some of those initiatives are well under way such as expanded parks, trails, sidewalk continuity, hybrid fleet vehicles, and efficient infrastructure. Our diversity, equity and inclusivity initiative with our employees and Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion also contributed to make us a shining example of a Gold Standard community.”
The Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program is open to all local governments in Michigan, at no cost. MGC is a sustainability networking, benchmarking, and technical assistance program. It guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents, and creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable future for the state of Michigan.
Michigan Green Communities is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; the Michigan Association of Counties; the Michigan Municipal League; and the Michigan Townships Association
“Canton has made it a strategic goal to support a healthy ecosystem and to create an accessible and sustainable environment,” said Municipal Services Department Director Jade Smith. “Receiving this designation confirms that we have sustainable practices in place and has created a benchmark that will motivate us to continue to evaluate and support future sustainable initiatives.”
Questions regarding sustainability and environmental efforts in Canton Township can be directed to David Norwood, deputy director of the Canton Municipal Services Department at (734) 394-5160.
