April 2020

Decreased Traffic Volume Due to COVID-19

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) monitors annual average daily traffic (AADT) across Michigan. AADT is the estimated mean daily traffic volume on roadways. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, AADT has decreased across the state of Michigan. MDOT has created an ArcGIS story map that has tracked this decrease weekly beginning in early March. As of the second week of April, AADT had decreased 52.9% in the Grand Region! Click here to view the MDOT story map.

Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years

You can even enlist your 4-legged friends to help!

While Earth Day is officially observed on April 22, you can make every day Earth Day by taking small actions each day. There are lots of ways that you can help to make this Earth a better place for our’s and future generations, which can seem overwhelming. Pick one action at a time. When you master one, then add another. For example, you can start by simply carrying a trash bag and gloves with you on a walk and picking up trash as you go. The Earth and her creatures will thank you! Once you master that, then look for ways to conserve water in the home, or ways to save energy, or plant a tree. It’s not important what you pick to do. It’s important that you pick something, because every action, no matter how small, will make a difference.

Here are some websites where you can get ideas for how to make Earth Day part of your every day lives:

Gardening, recycling and more with GreenMichigan.org

River Cleanup Planned for May 16

1-3pm at Dunton Park (290 Howard Ave, Holland)

Help clean Lake Macatawa! Depending on the group size, there may be a  crew on the shores of the lake and another in kayaks in the lake. Anyone under 16 years old must be with an adult. All board, paddles and life vests will be provided. Meet at the eastern parking lot near the pavilion. Pre-registration is required for this free, family friendly activities. This event may be rescheduled or cancelled due to inclement weather or COVID-19 concerns.