Browse
Log in / Register
Share
Scio Township’s second annual Sustainability Fair is set for Friday, Oct. 4, giving residents a one-stop shop for learning how to cut waste, boost energy efficiency, and embrace renewable energy. Organizers say the free event, held under the tent next to Meijer’s garden center at Jackson and Zeeb roads from noon to 3:30 p.m., is designed to turn big-picture climate goals into everyday actions.
“We want people to walk away with tangible ideas they can start using the next day,” said a member of the Scio Township Environmental Sustainability Task Force, which organizes the fair alongside the township and Meijer. The task force, created by the Planning Commission, has been behind the township’s ambitious climate action plan — a blueprint that targets net-zero emissions from township operations by 2030 and across all sectors by 2035.
This year’s fair puts electric vehicles front and center. Members of the East Michigan Electric Vehicle Association will bring EVs and electric motorcycles, offering visitors a chance to chat with real owners about charging, range, and costs. Washtenaw Community College’s EV program will roll out its mobile classroom, complete with diagnostic tools used in EV maintenance. The college’s presence underscores a growing trend: more than 20% of new car sales in Washtenaw County are now electric or hybrid, according to recent data from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Beyond EVs, the fair will feature interactive exhibits on solar energy, home energy efficiency, native plants, watershed protection, public transportation, and composting. Kids and adults can try Sustainability Bingo, test-ride e-bikes, and watch a working worm-composting tower in action. Meijer’s garden center will also host a native plant sale, tying into the township’s push for pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Participating organizations span a wide range of local expertise: DTE Energy, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, EverGreen Energy Savers, Homeland Solar, Human Electric Hybrids, Huron River Watershed Council, NCW Electric Powersports, Washtenaw 2030 District, Washtenaw Climate Reality Project, Washtenaw County Resiliency Office, WAVE, Wild Ones, and ZeroWaste.org. The township itself will be represented by its Land Preservation Commission, Parks, Preserves & Pathways, Environmental Sustainability Task Force, and Fire Department. The Scio Residents for Safe Water/CARD group, which advocates for dioxane remediation, will also attend.
A highlight of the township’s broader sustainability work is its food waste composting drop-off program. Launched a year ago, the free program now serves more than 200 households, who bring food scraps to Township Hall each week. My Green Michigan collects the waste and turns it into nutrient-rich compost used by local farms and community gardens. Program coordinators note that participation has grown 40% since spring, reflecting a sharp increase in resident demand.
The fair also ties into the Michigan Green Communities Challenge, where Scio Township has earned Gold status for two consecutive years. The designation recognizes municipalities that adopt sustainability best practices, from energy tracking to green purchasing. Task force members say they’re aiming for a third Gold in 2025, with new initiatives like a pilot solar-panel purchasing program and a community-wide energy audit service.
Local resident and frequent fair attendee Sarah Kline said she first visited last year’s event and was surprised by how easy it was to switch to a reusable lifestyle. “I learned about curbside composting, and within two weeks I had a bin at home. It’s smaller than you think,” she said. Organizers hope this year’s fair will inspire similar quick wins for more families.
The event is free and open to all. No registration is required. Attendees are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle and a bag for any materials they pick up. Rain or shine, the fair will proceed under Meijer’s large tent.
For those unable to attend, the task force plans to post recordings of expert talks and a downloadable “Sustainability at Home” guide on its website after the event.
When: Friday, Oct. 4, 12–3:30 p.m.
Where: Meijer garden center tent, Jackson and Zeeb roads, Ann Arbor
Cost: Free
Info:
This article was updated on Sept. 25, 2024.
