A complete list of all programs within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Community involvement and public participation are an essential part of EGLE’s mission, vision, and values.
Resources and information on utilizing RRD's data exchange and the Inventory of Facilities.
An interactive map displaying contaminated sites throughout Michigan regulated under Parts 213, 201, and 211.
EGLE's interactive calendar is designed to provide timely information on decisions before the Director, proposed settlements of contested cases, administrative rules promulgation, public hearings, meetings and comment deadlines, and environmental conferences, workshops and training programs.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies. Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. A fee may be charged to process your request. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request.
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August 29, 2024
The Michigan Green Schools program is a fantastic initiative that empowers PreK-12 schools to become environmental stewards.
Students on the Green Team at Coolidge Elementary School in Livonia help implement activities for their Michigan Green Schools certification.
This program, housed within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), offers a pathway for schools to:
From Student Idea to Statewide Program
What's most inspiring is the program's grassroots origins. Believe it or not, the idea for Michigan Green Schools sprouted in the fall of 2005 with students and teachers from the Hartland Consolidated School District! They proposed a plan with 20 points of achievable environmental activities. Schools achieving 10 points within a year would be recognized as Michigan Green Schools.
Their dedication didn't stop there. Students and teachers actively lobbied for their vision, presenting their proposal to legislators. In 2006, their hard work paid off! Public Act 146 of 2006 established the Michigan Green Schools program, and Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed it into law. The program saw immediate success, with 18 schools participating in its first year.
Michigan Public Act 301 of 2010 further expanded the program. Now, schools can achieve multiple levels of recognition based on their environmental activities, and even propose their own creative initiatives.
In the 2023-2024 school year, 343 schools were certified as Michigan Green Schools, with 106 earning Green School Designation, 81 earning Emerald School Designation, and 156 earning Evergreen School Designation!
Participating in the MI Green Schools Program
The Michigan Green Schools program offers schools the opportunity to earn a designation as a Green, Emerald, or Evergreen School by engaging in environmental stewardship activities. These designations reflect the school's commitment to sustainability and environmental education. To participate, schools must complete a variety of activities from four key categories: Reduce/Reuse/Recycle, Energy, Environmental Protection, and Miscellaneous.
Eligibility Criteria:
Each school must submit an annual application detailing their completed activities. Additionally, schools have the flexibility to propose unique initiatives, referred to as "Other Green Activities," which can also count toward their designation. However, any proposed alternate activities must be approved by the respective county coordinator by December 1st of the year preceding the application deadline.
In an effort to make the application process as efficient as possible, schools are highly encouraged to track their progress throughout the school year using this application activity tracking template.
Important Dates
Mark your calendars for upcoming events and deadlines for the MI Green Schools 2024-2025 program.
To stay informed, sign up for the Michigan Green Schools newsletter, which is emailed approximately five times per school year with important information, dates, and resources!
Get Recognized!
If your school is interested in becoming a Michigan Green School, head over to the program's web page at Michigan.gov/MIGreenSchools to learn more. If you have additional questions, please reach out to your county coordinator, or the EGLE team at EGLE-MI-Green-Schools@Michigan.gov.
Schools striving to achieve these designations not only enhance their environmental practices but also inspire students to become active stewards of the environment. The Michigan Green Schools program is a valuable platform for fostering environmental awareness and action within school communities. Together, we can cultivate a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will protect Michigan's beautiful lands and waters for years to come.
EGLE surveyed initial grant recipients for feedback to find out where the clean energy transition succeeded or needed a boost.
Proposals are being accepted through Nov. 1.
The “Transforming EGLE’s Contaminated Site Program” video highlights how the department has significantly increased the number of contaminated sites addressed.
EGLE is hitting the road to participate in many career fairs at Michigan colleges, universities, and conferences.
EGLE has developed a cybersecurity preparedness strategy for drinking water and wastewater treatment plant operators in Michigan.
An agreement has been reached in a civil rights complaint filed by community members and Environmental Justice advocates against the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regarding the January 2020 renewal of a U.S. Ecology North hazardous waste facility license.
This webinar series explores how agencies, universities, and locally led organizations are working together to protect Michigan’s natural resources through the Michigan Invasive Species Program.
EGLE supplied a $10,000 grant to support exploration of the potential partnership between Goodwill Industries of West Michigan and Daika through the NextCycle Michigan program.
Companies like UP Paper in Manistique support Michigan’s economy by providing crucial manufacturing jobs.
