ITC Greenways- Recycle and Bicycle!

The ITC Greenways at Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats features 11 different new green "ways" to support the environment including:

1. Take the SMART fixed route bus to Arts, Beats & Eats to enter and win a Fun Jet Vacation to Mexico including all expenses of hotel, airfare, meals, and ground transportation.  A partnership with the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) will enhance the environmental sustainability efforts of this years festival, saving gas and carbon monoxide emissions. A full SMART bus removes 60 cars from the road. A variety of SMART routes serve Pontiac and more than 15 communities are within a one fare ($1.50) ride away. Those interested can inquire about routes by using Google Transit Trip Planner on the smartbus.org homepage or by calling 866.962.5515 weekdays.
2. Major recycling initiative to capture all plastic bottles used at festival by adding recycling containers at all garbage areas and by utilizing volunteers to direct recycling activities.
3. Take your bicycle to the festival, as well feature a bicycle corral where festival volunteers will register bikers to win cool gear.  Downtown Pontiac is easily accessible from the Clinton River Trail, which extends through Rochester on the eastern side and Waterford to the west.  You bring a lock and well have a place to park your bike, and we will have security watching them as well.  SMART fixed route buses are also equipped with bike racks so you can bring your bike along for the ride at no extra cost.  If you want more information on how to use SMART bike racks check visit www.smartbus.org and see how easy it is to bike and ride to the festival.   Visit the Arts, Beats & Bikes Page for more information on our first ever bike corral and directions on how you can get to the festival!
4. Use of biodegradable disposables such as cups, plates and cutlery made from renewable resources from corn, sugarcane and potatoes
5. Donations of booths to nonprofit organizations, which will promote environmentally friendly messages at booths on ITC Green Streets
6. Children's Arts & Crafts made from recycled materials
7. Environmentally friendly tips for consumers between bands on all nine entertainment stages
8. Mandating all vendors to use degradable shopping bags for take home items sold at festival. Also encouraging food vendors to use eco-friendly disposable vs. petroleum based disposables
9. Establish the goal of having 500 metro Detroit homes switch to bio energy through DTE Green Currents program
10. Reduction in and printing of event programs will be reduced from 75,000 to 2,000, a decrease of more than 97 percent!
11. Festival will also mandate use of biodegradable garbage bags for refuse and shopping bags for vendors.

Lets Rethink Green together. Well turn our four days of Fun into one of the most environmentally friendly events ever. Weve teamed-up with ITC Holdings and put together many meaningful Green Ways in which our festival will make a difference this year. 

Featured Exhibits:

Riverside Kayak Connection
The Riverside Kayak Connection is your connection to the water. Riverside Kayak Connection, LLC, Michigans premiere paddle sports store is located south of downtown Wyandotte. The RKC eagerly promotes kayaking and canoeing with individuals and communities that share their passion for paddling. Their goal is simply to be your connection to the water!
The Riverside Kayak Connection can help you develop your entire program from site selection, staffing options, customized programming opportunities, educational classes, demo days, kayak/canoe and accessories selection, training, and when youre all done, they will help you celebrate.
Their staff and support team are paddle sports and recreation experts, with team members who are familiar with all disciplines of paddling including sea kayaking, recreational kayaking, and canoeing. They have over 60 models of kayaks and canoes on display and continue to add new and innovated products. The RKC stays abreast of changes in the industry by attending both regional and national trade shows as well as visiting the factories of most of their manufacturers, including companies in England and Whales.
Stop by and visit! The Riverside Kayak would love to help you enjoy your recreation time with a paddle sport!!
Riverside Kayak Connection, LLC
4106 Biddle, Wyandotte
1-734-285-2925
www.riversidekayak.com

Chrysler Corporation
Take a stroll down Green Street with Chrysler to get a little insight into their mission: improving the quality of the environment. Chrysler uses the latest technology to lower fuel emissions in the air. The title sponsor of Arts Beats & Eats, Chrysler is a leader in automotive advancement and prides itself on pioneering automotive innovation for more than 100 years. Chrysler sets the trend by making eco-friendly automobiles cool again. Dont think talk is cheap- car models will be onsite so you can see this technology come to life!

DTE Energy
DTE Energy will be on hand to promote their GreenCurrents program. This renewable energy program offers all Detroit Edison customers an opportunity to green up the energy in their home. Customers can choose Greencurrents, an alternative energy source that could have fantastic effects on Michigans economy and environment. Learn more at http://my.dteenergy.com/products/greenCurrents/residential/faqs.html . Sign up for GreenCurrents on Green Street and receive a free $10 Starbucks gift card!

Oakland County Planning
The development of standards and water treatment procedures has drastically reduced the amount of water-borne diseases in the country. With the help of Oakland County Planning, clean water programs have continuously helped many households maintain safe water. The county of Oakland contributes to the headwaters for five different watersheds and five river tributaries. Recreational water resources are monitored on a regular basis including public bathing, numerous private beaches on our inland, and all public swimming pools. With displays by Oakland Countys Planning, you can see for yourself how the Oakland County Planning utilizes these clean water programs.

Oakland County Parks
For more than 4 decades, the Oakland County Parks system has grown to nearly 6,000 acres of natural landscapes and outdoor recreation for Oakland County residents and visitors. The 13 Oakland County Parks offer a wide variety of year-round recreation opportunities including camping, hiking, swimming, boating, and golfing. Stop by to pick up a county trail map, learn about the abundant natural resources available within the county, and discover fun and healthy ways to spend time with your family in Oakland County.

Friends of the Detroit River
Friends of the Detroit River unite 400 plus members in an alliance to protect the Detroit River. They are dedicated to many important environmental issues, such as Greenways, Close the Dump, and Detroit River Remedial Action Plan. The Education Committee has established the Riverband Book Service as a means of providing environmental resources to teachers, parents, children and the general public. They offer a wide range of materials at discounted prices with all of the proceeds going to fund various educational projects.

GreenWays Initiative
The GreenWays Initiative will host a regional map that displays trails throughout southeast Michigan that have been built and those currently planned or proposed.  The map will provide trail users with a comprehensive picture of trail system development throughout the seven counties of southeast Michigan. The GreenWays Initiative, a multi-year, $27 million initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, is connecting more than 80 municipalities in southeast Michigan through the creation of green infrastructure, including biking and hiking paths, conservation corridors and habitats within and between jurisdictions.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, founded in 1984, is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from hundreds of individuals and organizations committed to the future of southeast Michigan. The Foundation works to improve the quality of life in southeast Michigan by supporting a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development and civic affairs. Governed by a board of community leaders, the Foundation makes grants to outstanding charitable projects in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St. Clair and Livingston counties. The Foundation has assets of more than $670 million and, since its inception, has distributed more than $295 million, through more than 29,100 grants, to nonprofit organizations.  Currently, 164 area organizations are building endowments with the Community Foundation, benefiting from the Foundations investment
experience, planned giving and other services.  These endowments will benefit our region forever.

Girl Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of America is the largest volunteer organization for girls in the world. The Girls Scouts build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Try out some activities for yourself the Girls Scouts way with some interactive outdoor activities and a camp site demonstration lead by Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit counselors while gaining valuable information about the environment!
Headwater Trails & The Sporting Alliance
Bring the family down to the Headwater Trails on Green Street. Headwater Trails is dedicated to the construction of a trail network in Northwest Oakland County's Headwaters region. They facilitate and promote the cooperation of local units of government, planning authorities, park governing bodies, and other interested parties to create new recreational opportunities. Dont miss their interactive displays on environmental trails and participate in some outdoor crafts. Headwater Trails is teaming up with the Sporting Alliance to promote the educational novel The Lost Child, which encourages raising kids to participate in outdoor activities. This is a great display to help motivate todays youth in the importance of outdoor education, while still making this experience fun and exciting.

The Clinton River Trail
The Clinton River Trail, a recreational trail on 15 miles of abandoned rail line through the heart of Oakland County, includes the cities of Sylvan Lake, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Rochester. Come see how this beautiful and historical trail comes to life. Friends of the Clinton River Trail have many exciting adventures to showcase all that the Clinton River Trail has to offer.

Clinton River Watershed Council
The Clinton River Watershed Council is a 35-year old non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, enhance and celebrate the Clinton River. This River system flows through 760 square miles of Southeast Michigan and over 1.4 million people live, work and play on the watershed. The main focus of the CRWC is to improve storm water management where the built environment meets the natural environment. Visit this display for an eye opening experience and orientation to watercourses and public lands in Southeast Michigan. Dont get left out of the loop!

Oakland County Drain Commission
The Oakland County Drain Commission is responsible for more than 500 miles of drainage systems within 5 watersheds throughout Oakland County. The commission is working to protect and improve water quality though coordinating watershed planning efforts, education programs, and on-the-ground detection/elimination of pollution sources. OCDC will be providing information on the Seven Simple Steps to Clean Water, including tips for environmentally friendly fertilizers, landscaping, and water conservation. Its a must know in any household, so be sure to stop by!

"Living Green, Building Green"
Come see how builders and re-modelers throughout the area are building "green." These homes look like conventional homes, but with savings of 52% less electricity, 54% less natural gas, and 46% less water, homeowner's are requiring "green" certified builders. In addition to being Energy Star certified, these homes showcase water conservation such as rainwater harvesting, built-in recycling, advanced framing techniques, specialized insulation, and sustainable flooring. The booth is designed to showcase developments, builders, products, and programs that promote "green" practices throughout southeastern Michigan.

Macomb County
Featuring displays highlighting it's "Quality of Life"; Macomb Countys booth showcases its role as a very desirable place to live, work, and play- from the shores of Lake St. Clair to all of the many branches of the Clinton River! There will be interactive displays of each of the sub watershed with programs conducted by an on-staff representative of the County. Showcases include the Countywide Trailways Master Plan, Green-Infrastructure Planning, Model Ordinances, Macomb Orchard Trail, Green Projects that include Green Building Code and Low Impact Designs. Handouts include an Activities Map and Macomb County Trails Maps.

Mechanical Energy Systems Mechanical Energy Systems focus is to help Michigan residents and businesses manage their energy future through the use of solar and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. Their team of energy consultants and installers are passionate about using energy wisely, improving our environment, creating a better economy and allowing Michigan consumers to better control their energy budget

Spurt Industries: At Spurt Industries, its all about good, clean dirt. For more than 15 years, Spurt Industries has been a commercial compost processing facility and wood waste recycler dedicated to producing top quality soils, soil amendments and wood mulches. Spurts mission is to find alternative uses for organic waste products, reducing the need for landfill space and preserving and renewing the environment. The result is a broad product line of nutrient-rich soils and finely textured mulches or good, clean dirt.

Thermal Wall Construction Systems:  Thermal Wall Construction Systems distributes Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) and Arxx High Performance Wall systems.  With a network of over 60 certified contractors, Thermal Wall is one of the top distributers of its kind in North America, helping to create stronger, safer, and more energy efficient homes and businesses. 

Beckleys Best Blends: Beckleys Best Blends creates handmade soy scented candles which are available in over fifty scents! The company is committed to coming out with new, long lasting scents each year.  The all natural soy candles are colorless and available in non scented and scented varieties, including lily of the valley, vanilla bean, and cinnamon bun.

Shaklee- Get Clean:  Get Clean is an all natural line of household cleaning products thats good for you and the earth!  The Get Clean products from Shaklee are designed to help reduce packaging waste, and green house gas.  Shaklee combines the best of science and nature to create gentile and effective products for a healthy home. 

CobraHead Tools:  CobraHead LLC was formed to develop and market the CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator. The CobraHead is a multi-purpose hand tool for use in gardening, horticulture, and agriculture that is superior to all similar tools. The CobraHead precision weeder and cultivator is the closest thing to a universal garden tool.

Exchange City and Earthworks
ABOUT US
Exchange City and EarthWorks is a non profit educational organization located in Taylor, Michigan inside a remarkable 22,000 square foot hands-on state of the art learning facility.  Exchange City and EarthWorks impacts every P-8th grade school in Michigan and is the only experiential learning (hands-on) program of its kind in the metropolitan Detroit area providing year-round programming.  Our curriculums are aligned with the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) in science, social studies, math and language arts and the Michigan Career and Employability Benchmarks are easily integrated into existing curriculum areas.

OUR PROGRAMS
Exchange City Citizens are 4th 8th graders who become owners and operators of a multitude of businesses within a democratic government framework.  They elect a mayor and judge and run their very own real-world city with fourteen (14) thriving shops all equipped with computerized accounting programs.  Citizens own and operate businesses, apply for loans, create products and sell them, receive paychecks, pay taxes, give to charities and work to pay off their loans.  They are exposed to sixty (60) career paths!

EarthWorks Young Scientists are P 4th graders that run four (4) ecosystems.  They become scientists exploring caves, lakes, grasslands and forest habitats.  This dramatic simulated outdoor environment challenges the young scientists to work together to conduct exciting experiments and activities, investigate live plants and animals, use state-of-the-art technologies and restore EarthWorks ecosystems to life-sustaining levels as they face unanticipated natural events.  They are exposed to twenty-five (25) career paths. Not to mention, learning the importance of recycle, reduce and reuse.