Keep up to date with what's happening at the Office of Sustainability and Innovations!
Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter here, and see all upcoming and past events below! If you have questions about any events or would like to request adding an event, please contact either Galen or Zach.
The OSI also oversees the Energy Commission & Environmental Commission, which are not reflected above. For more information on these, visit our Sustainability-Related Boards & Commissions page or the City Calendar.
Newsletter
Stay up to date with the Office of Sustainability and Innovations by subscribing to our quarterly newsletter. You can also subscribe by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject: Newsletter. Our most recent newsletters can be found below:
January 2022 Newsletter
November 2021 Newsletter
August 2021 Newsletter
April 2021 Newsletter
January 2021 Newsletter
October 2020 Newsletter
Events
Upcoming/Ongoing Events
Resident Race to Zero
Zero Waste Challenge: February 6th-12th, 2022.
Home Energy Challenge: July 1st - Dec. 31st, 2022.
The Resident Race to Zero is a series of challenges for residents of Ann Arbor, aimed at reducing home energy use and waste, to make our homes and our community greener, cleaner, and more sustainable. These challenges are sponsored by the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations, in conjunction with non-profits the GreenHome Instituteand Live Zero Waste. Learn more on the Resident Race to Zero webpage.
New Year - Clean Energy Webinar
Thursday, February 10th 2022. 6:00-7:30pm. Virtual.
Come hear from colleagues from RMI (formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute) about a variety of energy options available in Michigan. Register here.
2022 A2ZERO Sustainability Series
Last Wednesday of each month, Jan-May 2022. 6:00-8:00pm. Virtual.
Join the Office of Sustainability and Innovations on the last Wednesday of each month for our A2ZERO Sustainability Series! Each forum will focus on a sustainability topic and how you can get involved, and will feature speakers from OSI as well as guest speakers from other government groups, non-profits, local businesses, and more! For a list of topics and to register, please click here.
Ann Arbor Solar Stories
1st Thursday of each month, 7:00pm. Virtual.
This one-hour virtual event is hosted by the GLREA on the first Thursday of each month. Come hear from Ann Arborites who have gone solar, and have a chance to ask them all your questions! Register for "
Thursday Night Energy Events" to receive meeting links.
Climate, Coffee, and Conversation
2nd Thursday of each month, 8:00am. Virtual.
This monthly recurring virtual event is an opportunity for any and all Ann Arbor residents to come enjoy your morning beverage of choice and chat in an informal setting with OSI staff about A2ZERO initiatives and/or sustainability in general. Attendance is free, but registration is required.
Solarize Group Buys
There are new groups in the process of forming for winter 2021-2022! Contact Julie Roth for more information or to be added to our Solarize mailing list.
Volunteer Opportunities
Would you like to volunteer with the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations? If yes, consider joining us at one of the following:
- Park Clean Up - On the second Friday of every month (March-November), OSI staff have a work day in Bandemer Park with GIVE365. Join us to help remove invasives, clean up trash, and even do some plantings. If you are interested in joining us for a work day, please email Sean Reynolds.
Recent Events
A2ZERO turned one year old this June - check out how we celebrated during the first ever A2ZERO Week!
Workshop: All About Heat Pumps
In September, the GreenHome Institute and the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations hosted a workshop for residents to learn about heating their homes and water with cleaner electricity. Representatives from heat pump manufacturers were on hand to provide detailed information, and answer questions. You can access a recording of this workshop here.
Workshop: Batteries for Backup Power
Batteries combined with solar make for climate-friendly back-up power during an outage! In August, we heard from some installers and homeowners about how it all works, and their experiences powering their homes with solar + batteries. A recording of the event is available here.
Miss an OSI event?
Don't worry, we may have a recording of it on our YouTube Channel.
