Learn about the issues facing our state and how Michiganders like you are making an impact.
The quality of our natural resources directly impacts the health and wellness of our families, our communities and our natural areas. And, unfortunately, those resources are facing some serious challenges here in Michigan.
From contaminated drinking water and out of control air pollution to attacks on our most cherished parks and natural areas, our state is no longer a leader in protecting our land, air and water. If we want our communities to be safe and clean, we cannot continue with business as usual.
Explore the most important issues facing our communities and natural resources below. You can click on each to expand background information and find the latest updates and opportunities for action:
Clean Air
Good Government
Healthy Great Lakes
Parks & Public Land
Safe Drinking Water
Clean Air
FROM THE HEALTH OF OUR FAMILIES TO THE HEALTH OF OUR WORLD—THERE IS NOTHING MORE ESSENTIAL THAN CLEAN AIR.
Why is air unsafe to breathe in the first place?
- Because bad actors and polluting industries are not being held accountable for being responsible partners to their communities.
- Because some leaders have no interest in developing cleaner energy sources that are both cheaper and better for our air quality.
- Because many of our leaders don’t understand the impact that chronic air pollution has on the lives of families living near our industrial facilities; from asthma attacks to spiking cancer rates, the impact of tainted air can be devastating and requires serious action.
The good news is that there are solutions available that can dramatically improve air quality. Pollution control technologies are widely available and have been put to use in many communities, but not all. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are creating jobs while reducing carbon pollution.
It’s up to us to launch Michigan to the front of the class in clean energy and clean air. It won’t happen overnight, but we’ve made progress already. Will you help us go even further?
Michigan LCV members like you have been speaking out, working to clean up our air and hold polluters accountable. You can use this section to learn about recent victories and setbacks, and find out how you can take action now to fight for our clean air:
Tim Werner, a city commissioner in Traverse City, is always striving to make his city better. As a lifelong problem solver, he . . .
Legislature and Gov Reach Targets on State Budget, ARP to Come This Wednesday, Michigan’s top House and Senate appropriators reached a budget deal with . . .
As we work to tackle the climate crisis and eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels, there is no doubt that renewable energy . . .
Utilities stand in the way of removing Michigan’s arbitrary 1% cap on rooftop solar for homes, businesses LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s major utilities . . .
Vote on once-in-a-generation climate and jobs legislation as early as Monday evening LANSING — The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following . . .
Bob Sutherland owns Cherry Republic, a food store born in northern Michigan that sells more than 200 products made from cherries with . . .
Welcome to the August 12, 2021 edition of Three Things Thursday! This week’s edition focuses on Michigan LCV’s recent work when it . . .
The Past Week in D.C. Infrastructure Bill: On Tuesday, after months of negotiations, the Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill . . .
Good Government
Michigan ranks 49th out of 50 states in terms of transparency and good governance.
A recent study from George Washington University showed that over 90% of those polled (including all political parties) supported efforts by state governments to initiate stronger standards for accountability and government transparency.
In spite of a clear consensus for reforms, few if any have moved forward in recent years. Adding insult to injury, we have severely outdated election infrastructure.
Each year, there are enormous threats to the health of Michigan’s democratic process, a process fundamental to achieving our mission.
Passing strong laws to protect our environment depends upon open and fair elections so that we can help elect pro-conservation decision-makers to office.
Michigan, should be pushing forward with smart, pragmatic policies that enrich our democratic process and ensure better outcomes for the public. It just takes political will to get the job done.
That’s where Michigan LCV comes in and that’s where YOU come in.
Michigan LCV commends Governor’s action to defend our democracy LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters issued the following statement today regarding . . .
Welcome to the August 12, 2021 edition of Three Things Thursday! This week’s edition focuses on Michigan LCV’s recent work when it . . .
The Past Week in D.C. Infrastructure Bill: On Tuesday, after months of negotiations, the Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill . . .
LANSING — The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement regarding the bipartisan infrastructure legislation that passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday. . . .
MI Dems Lobby “For the People” on Capitol Hill Over 150 lawmakers from 30 different states gathered on the steps of Capitol . . .
Welcome to the August 5, 2021 edition of Three Things Thursday! This week’s edition of Three Things Thursday is all about elections: . . .
U.S. Senate Strikes Deal on Infrastructure; Fails To Meet Scale of Climate Crisis On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted to move ahead . . .
First-of-its-kind digital accountability tool tracks Michigan Supreme Court decisions on environmental issues in near real-time ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today . . .
Healthy Great Lakes
MICHIGAN SITS AT THE HEART OF ALMOST 80 PERCENT OF OUR NATION’S FRESH WATER.
The Great Lakes have a profound impact on Michigan’s economy, health, and the very way of life for countless Michiganders. That’s why protecting our Great Lakes is vital to our state’s future.
Generations of Michigan kids have grown up playing on Great Lakes beaches, families across the state rely on our lakes to provide safe, clean water.
But today there is good reason to be concerned about the health of our lakes.
You might be an angler from Monroe who has watched as Lake Erie’s algae problem has grown and grown over the last decade—turning the shallowest Great Lake green with a thick algae sludge.
You might be a parent who looks forward to spending time with your kids and grand-kids playing on a Lake Michigan beach, only to be disappointed when E-coli or other contaminants make the water unsafe for swimming.
You might shudder at the thought of what would happen to Mackinac Island and the shores of Northern Michigan, if there were an oil spill under the Straits of Mackinac.
Michigan, the Great Lakes State, should be pushing forward with smart, pragmatic policies that can help protect and revive our lakes before lasting damage is done. It just takes political will to get the job done. That’s where Michigan LCV comes in and that’s where you come in.
Together we can leverage our influence in Lansing and across the state to protect our Great Lakes and all of us who rely on them. In this section you can find about recent victories and setbacks we’ve faced, as well as new opportunities to make a difference for the lakes we love:
Legislature and Gov Reach Targets on State Budget, ARP to Come This Wednesday, Michigan’s top House and Senate appropriators reached a budget deal with . . .
LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement calling on U.S. District Court Judge Janet Neff to . . .
For Austin Burt, the “Lake Life” has always been his way of life. Growing up in Traverse City, MI, Austin developed a . . .
Bob Sutherland owns Cherry Republic, a food store born in northern Michigan that sells more than 200 products made from cherries with . . .
Welcome to the August 12, 2021 edition of Three Things Thursday! This week’s edition focuses on Michigan LCV’s recent work when it . . .
LANSING — The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement regarding the bipartisan infrastructure legislation that passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday. . . .
The Past Week in D.C. The Senate is busy at work this week voting on amendments to the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Normally . . .
U.S. Senate Strikes Deal on Infrastructure; Fails To Meet Scale of Climate Crisis On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted to move ahead . . .
Parks & Public Land
Our parks and natural areas are available and preserved for the good of all of us.
Whether it’s a neighborhood park or a state wilderness area—our parks and public land are where Michiganders connect with nature and also with each other.
For many decades, Michiganders have worked hard to preserve, protect and invest in our parks and natural areas. Their commitment made our family picnics, our beach days and our camping trips possible. Without a doubt, those family traditions are worth passing on to the next generation. And today we have the knowledge and skills to manage our natural areas more responsibly and sustainably than ever before.
But today some of our leaders don’t seem to understand what’s at stake. Where you see sand dunes, they see dollar signs. Where you see community gardens, they see wasted space. Where you see a vibrant forest, they see government overreach. That disconnect has produced state legislators who want to auction off our forests and parks to the highest bidder.
In recent years, we’ve seen protections for critical sand dunes dismantled, efforts to strip funding for some of our most cherished parks, attacks on science-based management of our public lands, proposals to open up historic forests and local communities to unchecked oil and gas development.
Now it is up to us to protect them for future generations of Michiganders. Since the organization was founded in 1999, Michigan LCV members have been on the front lines, stopping the worst-of-the-worst. In this section you can find about the pressing challenges facing our parks and public land, as well as learn what you can do to make a difference in protecting them:
Tim Werner, a city commissioner in Traverse City, is always striving to make his city better. As a lifelong problem solver, he . . .
LANSING — The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement regarding the bipartisan infrastructure legislation that passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday. . . .
Grand Haven Citizens Band Together to Oppose New Gas Plant on Harbor Island Just months ago, Grand Haven citizens gathered on the . . .
NEW STATE PARK WOULD BE FIRST IN GENESEE COUNTY, PROMOTES LAND CONSERVATION AND GREEN SPACES LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued . . .
An important note for the following weeks: The Michigan State Legislature will be on summer break during July and August. While the . . .
ICYMI: Environmental Legislation This Week Senate Republicans Introduce $2.5 Billion Package to Protect MI Water In a very welcome announcement, Senate Republicans . . .
LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement regarding Senate Resolution 72 introduced by Senator Wayne Schmidt . . .
ICYMI: Environmental Legislation This Week Unnecessary Anti-Voter ID Laws Make It More Difficult to Vote A bill to tighten Michigan’s existing voter . . .
Safe Drinking Water
THERE IS NOTHING MORE VITAL AND NOTHING MORE VULNERABLE THAN OUR CLEAN DRINKING WATER.
Pollution in our water is measured in parts per billion, so there is truly no room for error in protecting the water we drink. In recent years, Michiganders have come to know better than most just how high the stakes can be when a community’s clean water is compromised.
Whether it’s the Flint water crisis, toxic algae plaguing our lakes, or oil spills clogging our rivers, there has been no shortage of threats facing our clean water.
But it does not have to be this way. While our elected leaders can’t always predict the next crisis facing our water, they can and should be taking steps to deal with problems in our water before they become full-blown crises. The trouble is that too often our elected leaders do not prioritize protecting our clean water.
That’s why the actions of Michigan LCV members (people like you!) are so important. You, the voter, have the power to help ensure that Michigan’s water supply is safe and secure.
If we work together, Michiganders can make big things happen for our clean water. In this section you can find about recent victories and setbacks in the fight for clean, safe drinking water, as well as new opportunities for you to take action:
Benton Harbor minister wages fight for clean water in majority Black southwest Michigan city As a freshman attending the East Texas University, . . .
Tim Werner, a city commissioner in Traverse City, is always striving to make his city better. As a lifelong problem solver, he . . .
Legislature and Gov Reach Targets on State Budget, ARP to Come This Wednesday, Michigan’s top House and Senate appropriators reached a budget deal with . . .
Bob Sutherland owns Cherry Republic, a food store born in northern Michigan that sells more than 200 products made from cherries with . . .
Welcome to the August 12, 2021 edition of Three Things Thursday! This week’s edition focuses on Michigan LCV’s recent work when it . . .
The Past Week in D.C. Infrastructure Bill: On Tuesday, after months of negotiations, the Senate passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill . . .
FUNDING WOULD ADDRESS CRITICAL DRINKING WATER IMPROVEMENTS, BUILD CLIMATE-RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS MICHIGAN LANSING – A bold proposal unveiled by Michigan lawmakers today will . . .
LANSING — The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement regarding the bipartisan infrastructure legislation that passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday. . . .
Michiganders understand what’s at stake, but we need to make sure our elected officials share our convictions. Achieving that is going to take education, advocacy, and political action. And all three of those strategies rely on you—your commitment and your willingness to fight for the people and places you love.
By getting involved, you can help put Michigan back on track toward conserving our greatest resources and tackling the pressing issues facing our state and our communities. This page is where you can learn more about the issues we are focusing on right now and how people like you are already making an impact for the good of our state.
There are big threats facing our communities and our state, but members like you are already making a difference.
Because people like you are stepping up and taking action, Michigan LCV has been able to win when it counts. With your help, we are prepared to win the next one. Thank you!