The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor records are divided into four series: Administrative Records, Topical files, Publications and Publicity, and Visual Materials. The records document the efforts of this grassroots community organization to increase environmental awareness through the establishment of recycling and energy conservation programs, and by publicizing the need for pesticide control and responsible solid waste disposal among other issues. With recent accessions, the division between Administrative Records and Publications and Publicity is less distinct, as center publications were often included with planning and meeting materials. Researchers should check both series when looking for material printed by and about the Ecology Center.
Both the Topical Files and Visual Materials series are divided into sub-series. The Topical Files series is divided into sub-series based on the date range represented by the materials in the order in which they were processed. There is significant overlap between sub-series. The Visual Materials series is divided into sub-series based on the type of records represented.
The bulk of the collection is topical files maintained by the center regarding policies, campaigns, lawsuits, and environmental activism, relevant to center activities. Materials included in the Topical Files series include lawsuits, meetings, and documentation related to DOW Chemical Company; medical waste and incinerators; pesticides, particularly dioxin, and their environmental impact; and environmental and racial justice. This series also includes lawsuits with Gelman Sciences and Lindane, and partnership materials with the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Healthcare Without Harm, and the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health, among other local organizations.
The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor was formed one month after Earth Day in May 1970. ENACT (Environmental Action for Survival) and a group of community volunteers founded the Ecology Center as an independent, non-profit organization for the promotion of environmental awareness, education, and advocacy. The organization's initial commitment to the environment was reflected in its recycling program, environmental film festival, radio program and recycled Christmas card sales in 1970.
In 1971, the Ecology Center opened a recycling station at 2050 South Industrial Road in Ann Arbor. In 1982, the Ecology Center merged with Recycle Ann Arbor to provide curbside collection of recyclable paper, glass, cans, oil, and aluminum.
The Ecology Center offers many services in addition to recycling. It strives to increase local awareness of environmental problems through involvement in educational and service programs in homes, in the Ann Arbor Schools, and in community projects. One example is a home energy conservation team that inspects and recommends retrofitting to enhance a home's energy efficiency. The organization also has a hotline that provides information on environmental issues.
Outreach programs such as recycling education and home heat conservation workshops are supported by the Ecology Center's library. In cooperation with the Ann Arbor Public Library, the Ecology Center maintains this community environmental resource center. The center has also been involved in organizing annual Earth Day activities, especially in 1990, the twentieth anniversary of that event.
The Ecology Center is also active in environmental lobbying. For example, in the mid-1970s, the Ecology Center campaigned for a state referendum on returnable bottles. The Center advises on a number of land use plans to prevent urban sprawl in Ann Arbor, as well as policies to control air and water quality, and toxic waste. The center also played an instrumental role in the Right-To-Know and Right-To-Act campaigns of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor is funded by membership fees, business donations, grants, and fundraising events. Two long-standing fundraising events are the annual sale of Christmas cards and the Bike-A-Thon.
A number of different independent organizations, such as Ann Arbor Tomorrow, Citizens' Association for Area Planning and Project Grow, have been fostered by the Ecology Center. The organization also has a strong affiliation with the Washtenaw Environmental Council.
The Ecology Center of Ann Arbor records were originally described in 1997. In 2024, Gideon Goodrich processed new accessions at the box level in order to prioritize access to recently deposited materials.
Researchers should note that some language in the collection materials is outdated or offensive. Where possible, notes have been included at the box-level regarding changes to folder names and/or descriptions.
In preparing digital material for long-term preservation and access, the Bentley Historical Library adheres to professional best practices and standards to ensure that content will retain its authenticity and integrity. For more information on procedures for the ingest and processing of digital materials, please see Bentley Historical Library Digital Processing Note. Access to digital material may be provided either as a direct link to an individual file or as a downloadable package of files bundled in a zip file.
