March 2017

Green Commute Week & Poster Contest
Macatawa Lawn Care Seal of Approval
Road/Stream Crossing Dates
Amtrak’s Pere Marquette Line

Green Commute Week & Poster Contest

The MACC is counting down the days until Green Commute Week! This year the commute challenge starts on Sunday, May 14th and mileage is due on Friday, May 19th.

New this year is a poster contest to motivate people to Green Commute! All ages are welcome.

We want to see your innovative ideas encouraging others to bike, walk, bus, or carpool. We are looking for posters in 4 age groups (Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Adult). Posters are due by May 1 and judging will be completed by May 5. The top poster in each age category will receive a prize from the MACC and will be used in Green Commute promotions leading up to the week.

Posters will be on display for public viewing May 2-5 at Cross Country Cycle located at 345 Douglas Avenue during business hours.

Click to view the Poster Contest Instructions

Contact Carolyn Ulstad at the MACC if you have any questions: 616-395-2688 or culstad@the-macc.org

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Macatawa Lawn Care Seal of Approval

The Macatawa Watershed Project launched its Seal of Approval program back in 2006. The program is aimed at encouraging local lawn care and landscaping businesses in the watershed to use best management practices to protect our environment. The “seal” is a designation that indicates to the consumer that the company has agreed to follow a number of practices that help to protect Lake Macatawa’s water quality. Visit the MACC’s Lawn Care page to learn more about the program requirements and which companies are on the 2017 list!

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Road/Stream Crossing Dates

Last year, the MACC was awarded a grant from MiCorps to help fund the inventory of 55 road/stream crossings within the Macatawa Watershed. Of those 55 locations, we are near our completion with only 10 more sites to inventory before the end of the grant in May 2017. This is an accomplishment that we couldn’t have completed without our 20 hard-working volunteers.

We have scheduled a few days this spring to finish up the initial round of crossings that we committed to complete under a grant by the end of May. Here’s the plan:

Friday, April 14, 1-5PM – Park and Holland Township

Saturday, April 15, 8:30am-12PM – Zeeland Township

Friday, April 21, 1-5PM – Fillmore Township

RSVP is required. Contact Carolyn at culstad@the-macc.org or 616-395-2688 to sign-up or for more information. Please provide us with the best way to contact you in the event we need to cancel because of weather. Must be at least 16 years of age to participate.

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Amtrak’s Pere Marquette Line

30th Anniversary of the Amtrak Pere Marquette passenger service from Grand Rapids to Chicago. Celebration at the Holland Amtrak Station.

The train can be a fantastic and convenient way to travel. Last spring the Pere Marquette introduced a bicycle storage car which can help make your transportation options upon arrival at your destination even easier.

If you want to bring your bike on your next trip you can add it in for $10 as part of your regular reservation during the booking process. Passengers checking bikes must arrive 30 minutes prior to train departure and only standard size bikes are permitted. Passengers must be physically capable of lifting their bike up to shoulder height to hand it off to staff in the baggage car. Only one bike is permitted per person.

If you’re planning a trip to or from West Michigan, head over to the Pere Marquette website. And if you’re looking for a great deal, be sure to visit www.amtrak.com/deals

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