Patch Picks: Green Giving

Earth Day may be this Friday, but opportunities to give back to Mother Earth run year round.

Whether its recycling at home, or organizing a community clean-up event, every little bit helps when working to save the environment for future generations.

Here is a list of local programs and events offered throughout the year to keep the community green.

If you have at least two friends, you can participate in MDOT's Adopt-A-Highway program. Participants adopt both sides of a section of state highway roadside to clean up for at least a two-year period. All types of state highways may be adopted, including two-lane roads, limited access highways, boulevards and business routes. Groups are asked to adopt a two-mile section of road at minimum. There is no fee to participate, and MDOT will provide bags for litter and pickup of filled bags.

Contact Macomb County AAH Coordinator Diane Crumb at 586-978-1935 or
crumbd@michigan.gov about location availability prior to sending in your application and to determine where to send the Adopt-A-Highway application form.

• Adopt-A-Stream

Adopt-A-Stream is the Clinton River Watershed's volunteer water quality monitoring program. CRWC volunteers sample, test and record the water's physical habitat, biological community and channel characteristics such as erosion and the amount of streamside vegetation. CRWC provides volunteers with all the training and equipment needed to participate in Adopt-A-Stream.

If you are interested in becoming an Adopt-A-Stream volunteer, or have questions, contact the CRWC at (248) 601-0606 or email contact@crwc.org.

• E-Clutter for Kids

Beaumont’s Children’s Hospital is teaming with Statewide Recycling and Recovery and other community supporters to raise money to benefit pediatric speech and language treatment scholarships at the hospital by recycling metal and electronic waste. The program, E-Clutter for Kids, is a recycle-a-thon that encourages the community to bring donated items to collection areas set up in the area.

Battery Giant, located at 20761 Hall Road in Macomb Township, will serve as a collection location on May 7 and 8 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. For a list of items that can be dropped off, click here.

Macombers are invited to bring their recyclables to the Riverwoods Farms sales center, 19736 Middle Branch Dr., Macomb, MI, from noon to 5 p.m. through Friday for an . Guests can enter to win Earth Day prizes and will receive a free sapling (while supplies last) just for stopping in.

• Battery Battles

and L'Anse Creuse High School are having a recycling battle this week a next to see which school can collect the most boxes of batteries. The winning school will receive a globe trophy and bragging rights. Members of the community are invited to drop off boxes of batteries at the front desk of either school while school is in session.