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 events below! If you have questions about any events or would like to request adding an event, please contact either Galen or Zach.
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 sustainabili[email protected] with the subject: Newsletter. Our most recent newsletters can be found below:
August 2021 Newsletter
April 2021 Newsletter
January 2021 Newsletter
October 2020 Newsletter
Events
Upcoming/Ongoing Events
Workshop: All About Heat Pumps
Wednesday, September 22nd, 6:00pm. In-person & Virtual attendance.
The GreenHome Institute and the City of Ann Arbor's Office of Sustainability and Innovations are hosting a workshop for residents to learn about heating their homes and water with cleaner electricity. Representatives from heat pump manufacturers will be on hand to provide detailed information, and answer questions. The event will be outdoors (under tents) at the Ann Arbor Distilling Co, with limited seating to maintain a Covid-safe environment. Enjoy a Distillery cocktail and food from local food trucks! Participants can also choose to "zoom in" remotely, to listen to the workshop. Come at 5:30 for food and drinks, programming to start at 6:00. Register here!
Green Fair
Friday, October 1st, 6:00-9:00pm. Downtown Main Street.
During Green Fair, downtown Main Street will be open to pedestrians to explore a multitude of exhibits showcasing local green businesses and non-profits, along with A2ZERO collaborators. Stop by to learn what you can do to help us achieve our carbon neutrality goals and forge a cleaner, greener future for you and our planet! Learn more here.
Fall 2021 FreeTree Giveaway (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, October 2nd, 2:00-6:00pm. Leslie Science & Nature Center.
The 10,000 Trees Initiative, in partnership with the Washtenaw County Conservation District and the National Wildlife Federation, will be holding a FreeTree Giveaway on October 2nd! Tree species available are arborvitae/northern whitecedar and eastern white pine. All trees are small, 1-3 foot tall seedlings and will fit easily in most vehicles. Planting and care instructions will be included with every tree. All trees have been claimed, and registration is now closed. If you are interested in being one of the first to hear about future 10,000 Trees Initiative events, please sign up for our mailing list 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. Zoom.
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
Buhr Park and Friends Solarize - FULL
The Buhr Park Solarize group-buy is full - however, several more groups are in the process of forming for the fall and winter! 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:
- GreenFair - Come and celebrate the first Autumunal Green Fair with us on October 1st and help make the event a huge success. We are looking for 10-14 volunteers to help with site set-up, logistics, and break down. If you are interested in volunteering, please send a note to Fang Wu.
- FreeTree Giveaway - We are looking for up to 10 volunteers to help us distribute trees at the October 2nd FreeTree Giveaway at Leslie Science & Nature Center. To learn more or register to volunteer, please go here.
- Tree Plantings - We are looking for 10 volunteers to help us plant trees in the Bryant neighborhood on October 9th. To learn more or register to volunteer, please go here.
- Park Clean Up - On the second Friday of every month, OSI staff have a work day in Bandemer Park. 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: 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.
Special Sustainability Seminar: Plant-Based Diets
On August 18th, the Office of Sustainability and Innovations hosted a seminar exploring plant-based diets. Topics included the health benefits of a plant-based diet and the environmental impacts of animal agriculture, as well as a cooking demonstration focused on a delicious and nutritious plant-based meal! Presenters included Dr. Melissa Sunderman from IHA; Marc Ramirez from Chickpea & Bean; Andrea Wotan, RDN with Wotan Nutrition; and chef Jeff Tritten of Washtenaw Optimal Wellness. You can watch a recording of this seminar here.
2021 Sustainability Forum Series
OSI recently concluded our second annual Sustainability Forum Series! The 2021 series included forums on food access, the natural world in urban settings, waste reduction and circular economies, and energy efficiency. You can watch recordings of all of our past Sustainability Forums on our YouTube channel.
Heat Pump Workshop
There has been increasing community interest in Heat Pumps as a much more efficient way to heat and cool your home, and one that does not depend on burning gas in our houses. OSI hosted a virtual Heat Pump Workshop on Wednesday, May 12th at 7:00pm. Watch the recording to learn about this technology and get your questions answered. And learn more on our dedicated Heat Pumps page!
51st Annual Earth Day
On April 25th, Ann Arbor celebrated our 51st Annual Earth Day with a televised event including activities and entertainment for the whole family. The theme for Earth Day 2021 was “Restore Our Earth." You can watch a full recording of the celebration on the CTN YouTube channel.
Power Hour
On February 11th, OSI held a virtual Power Hour for folks to learn about solar for their homes, energy efficiency and electrification, how it all relates to the goals of A2ZERO, and our Solarize program. Emerging science around indoor air quality and gas stoves was also discussed. You can watch a full recording of the event on the CTN YouTube channel.
Commercial and Multifamily Energy Efficiency Virtual Open House
On February 4th, OSI held a virtual Open House for commercial and multifamily building owners and property managers to learn more about energy and water benchmarking and policy recommendations co-created with a task force of multiple City units and community stakeholders. You can watch a full recording of the event on the CTN YouTube channel.
Miss an OSI event?
Don't worry, we may have a recording of it on our YouTube Channel.
