Renewable Energy Today

Andrew Dodson | The Bay City Times

BAY CITY — The environment will take center stage at this year’s Tall Ship Celebration in Bay City as organizers look to shine a spotlight on alternative and renewable energy, as well as the preservation of the Great Lakes.

For the first time ever, the American Sail Training Association’s Tall Ships Challenge — a race across the Great Lakes — is being sponsored by Great Lakes United, an international environmental group based in Ottawa.

Great Lakes United hopes to share it message about water quality and other environmental issues during stops in port cities during the race.

In Bay City, Tall Ship Celebration officials will construct a Green Village near Veterans Memorial Bridge in Vets Park to help in the education effort.

“We are particularly thrilled about the Green Village,” said Shirley Roberts, festival coordinator. “Alternative energy is something that is so important to our region and to our state.”

Kevin Dykema, chairman of the Tall Ship Celebration Board of Directors, said the Green Village ties in perfectly with the event.

“Tall ships are the original clean energy machine,” he said. “They rely on wind power to move them and they’re not depleting the earth’s resources at all.”

Mike Kelly, director of the Great Lakes Office of The Conservation Fund, said the display will feature hands-on activities and information on new energy that is sparking the Great Lakes Bay Region.

“It’s going to give folks a look at new products from companies like Consumers Energy and Dow Corning,” said Kelly. “It’s very focused on those products coming to the market place.”

Dykema said products like Dow Chemical Co.’s solar shingles will be on display.

Lauren Cheal, a spokeswoman for Great Lakes United, said the point of the Green Village is to spread the word about what those businesses are doing to protect the Great Lakes.

“People will encounter lots of interactive activities,” said Cheal. “Those activities will give a lot of information about problems facing the lakes, like invasive species, toxins — big issues daunting to the public.”

Kelly said its not only an opportunity for festival-goers to see the new products, but also for the companies to teach the public about alternative energy.

“It’s an opportunity for those local companies to come out and show what this whole green economy means to them and clue in the public on what’s really going on right now.”

The Green Village will be open Thursday through Sunday.

A list of what will be at the village is below:

1 Dow Corning Corporation
See a solar array and the silicon material that is leading the way to a bright new future in our region. Test your skill on a solar race track and be amazed at how much water it takes to make a pair of blue jeans.

2 BaySail
Freshwater ecology exhibit from Bay City’s own environmental education specialists, featuring interactive experiences aboard the schooner Appledore IV and Appledore V.

3 Mid Michigan Children’s Museum
Learn more about the Children’s Museum and try your luck in the fishing pond.

4 National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration
See footage of a real Lake Huron shipwreck and learn more about the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary in Alpena.

5 The Dow Chemical Company
A variety of displays featuring the company’s newest alternative energy technologies.

6 Neighborhood MI Ford Dealers/Ford One Drive Tour
See the all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta and the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid with class-leading 41 mpg fuel efficiency. Test your knowledge by playing the interactive “Fusion 41” trivia game.

7 Consumers Energy
Balanced Energy displays highlighting energy efficiency, smart meter technology, green generation and renewable resources including a 6 ft. model wind turbine

8 Saginaw Bay Resource Conservation & Development
An interactive Watershed trailer features hands-on displays about the Saginaw Bay Watershed.

9 Tuscola Student Tech Center Electric Car
A student conceived, designed and constructed electric car.

10 Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy
The Conservancy protects more 5,200 acres of public land. Learn how you can  make a difference through interactive displays and by learning how to make your own rain barrel. Barrels will be on sale and a limited number given away through a drawing.

11 Bay City Electric Company/Renewable Energy Classroom
Get an up-close look at solar photovoltaic, solar hot water, wind turbines, energy efficiency technologies and more in this 44 ft. traveling classroom using real working equipment and displays.

12 Chippewa Nature Center
Touch the furs & insects of animals that live along rivers, learn how fish live in the river and how rain gardens can make a difference to our watershed.

13 Farm Market Association
Learn the benefits of buying farm fresh products—for your health, the environment and the economy.

14 Farm Bureau
Farmers are good stewards of the land they rely on for their livelihood and we rely on for our sustenance. See how changing technology has improved farming efficiency and productivity.

15 Wildlife Recovery Association
Come closer than you ever imagined you could to live birds of prey. Raptor displays and presentations throughout the festival.

16 Mock Rain Garden
A living example of a rain garden you can replicate for yourself, courtesy of Bay Landscaping.

17 Farm Equipment Display
Your chance to see and learn about the latest tractor and spreader technology.

18 Master Gardeners’ Association
Garden composting for that sweet smell of success.

19 MSU Extension
A bio-energy display featuring switch grass and other native grasses.

20 Shedd Aquarium
Timely information from the Midwest’s largest and most respected aquarium.

21 Great Lakes United
There’s a lot of water in the Great Lakes, isn’t there? Learn why it’s so important to conserve the freshwater we have.

22 MI Department of Natural Resources & Environment
Lawn games and information about the new Recreation Passport for MI State Parks.

23 The Saginaw Bay Watershed—A Map
Just how big is the watershed we live in? You’re gonna find out!