Blog Post
Documentary about the making of the Traverwood Branch now online
by andrewjmac
Earlier this year, Detroit Public Television debuted a documentary by KDN Films called "Up From Ashes" about the making of AADL's Traverwood Branch Library. Documentarian Bill Kubota takes us through the process of building that library, from the concept to the opening. His film explores the sustainable design features of the building, like the harvesting of devastated ash trees from the site, and the construction of a technically complicated building that won a 2009 AIA Michigan Building Design Award. Now you can watch this film online or download it to your computer or iPod to watch anytime, or check out the DVD of "Up From Ashes" from AADL if you want to watch on your TV.
Blog Post
Hidden Gems: Books Unjustly Dusty #2
by cecile
With the advent of the Global Positioning System (GPS), a U.S. space-based radio navigation system that provides reliable positioning, navigation and timing services, the exciting history of voyages of discovery and famous explorers is fading from the public eye.
Many of the world’s greatest expeditions were financed and equipped by the Royal Geographical Society. The search for a North West Passage, the quest for the sources of the Nile (“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” ring any bells?), the discovery and ascent of Mount Everest and the race for the South Pole make for some pretty exciting reading.
Explorers : the most exciting voyages of discovery, from the African expeditions to the lunar landing by Andrea De Porti and To the farthest ends of the earth : 150 years of world exploration by the Royal Geographical Society are two beautifully illustrated books that are unjustly dusty.
Michael Palin of Monty Python fame is the current president of the Royal Geographical Society. A renowned traveler and a comedic genius, he is the perfect person to lead the society’s explorations in the 21st century.
Blog Post
Orion Book Award Winner: Trespass by Amy Irvine
by ballybeg
The 2009 Orion Book Awards have been announced. Orion is one of the best magazines you will find, whose byline – nature/culture/place – reveals its focus. The editorial board reads like a who’s who of contemporary luminaries in the environmental movement, such as: Wendell Berry, Bill McKibben, Edward O. Wilson, Barry Lopez, Jane Goodall. Orion manages to be artistic, literary, probing and provocative, with cutting-edge articles on the politics, ethics and practice of environmentalism, farming and forestry and featuring the work of artists, poets, and storytellers. It inspires personal commitment to change the world, one short shower, cloth bag, bike ride and community garden at a time.
Every year the editors acknowledge books that, “deepen our connection to the natural world, present new ideas about our relationship with nature and achieve excellence in writing”. The winner of the award this year is Trespass: Living at the Edge of the Promised Land by Amy Irvine. The finalists are: The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane, The Bridge at the Edge of the World by James Gustave Speth, Inventing Niagara by Ginger Strand and Finding Beauty in a Broken World by Terry Tempest Williams. The Reader’s Choice Award went to Man Killed by Pheasant by John Price.
Blog Post
Sustainability Safari
by shannon riffe
On July 8 at 6:45pm, this 1.5 mile walking tour of sustainable techniques in Ann Arbor, led by the Ann Arbor Chapter of Wild Ones will include a look at the sustainable elements of Malletts Creek Branch, The Buhr Park Children’s Wet Meadow, and Mary Beth Doyle Park, among others. This event is held in conjunction with the Library’s summer reading program, Local Motion - which encourages the use of local neighborhoods, organizations gyms, recreational facilities and outdoor areas to move and get fit.
Blog Post
Music for a cause
by Maxine
Help support the activities of the Huron River Watershed Council this Saturday, June 27 at 11300 Island Lake Rd. (off Dexter-Pinckney Rd. just west of downtown Dexter). "Black Train," a local roots band that features country vocal harmonies, will be playing. Bring a blanket or a chair. Gather round a huge bonfire after dark. Music starts at 7:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $10. Phone 769-5123, ext. 19 for more information.
Blog Post
Take a Hike! @Lakewood Nature Area
by shannon riffe
Tonight at 7pm, join the City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation staff in a botanical walk through Lakewood Nature Area. Meet in the parking lot of Lakewood School, 344 Gralake. This event is held in conjunction with the summer reading program, Local Motion, which encourages the use of local neighborhoods, gyms, recreational facilities and outdoor areas to move and get fit!
Blog Post
Up the Rouge!
by cecile
Author Joel Thurtell and photographer Patricia Beck, veteran Detroit Free Press staff, collaborated to produce this wonderful book about canoeing on the Rouge River—yes, the Rouge River!! The Rouge--not as well-known as the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie catching fire in 1969, but confident in its reputation as a famously polluted body of water.
How this river (a regional treasure in our midst) can still be invisible, ignored, misused and abused, has long been a mystery. To help put focus on the river’s plight, the two canoed 27 miles from Zug Island (!) up the Rouge’s main branch to Nine Mile and Beech Daly. What they describe and beautifully illustrate on their journey is both hopeful and grim at the same time.
Hopefully, this book, the continued work of volunteers and the Rouge River Project will attract more people dedicated to treating the river with the respect it deserves.
Blog Post
Mayor's Green Fair is a Go This Friday
by Debbie G.
The 9th Annual Mayor's Green Fair will be held this Friday, June 12, 6 ~ 9 p.m. on Main Street in beautiful, green Downtown Ann Arbor. Foot and pedal traffic only for this celebration of renewable energy, environmental stewardship and sustainable living. Look for organic "light fare" from food vendors, music and crafts for all ages, walking tours and the ever-popular BikeFest.
Blog Post
Prince's Rainforest Project
by elijah
Another contender has entered the arena in defense of the rainforests: the Prince's Rainforest Project founded by Prince Charles. The Prince hopes to raise awareness of the effects of the massive loss of rainforests and form an online community to respond to the issue. To start off the project they created a ninety second video with Prince Charles' sons, Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Robin Williams, Pele, the Dalai Lama, and more. The video features the celebrities and important persons speaking with CGI frogs--it sounds strange and it is, but the CGI is impressive and the video entertaining and informative.
To view the video or learn more about the project head to Prince's Rainforest Project. And if you want to learn more about the rainforests head to the library and check out our selection.
Blog Post
Making Dirt
by pkooger
When I grew up, my family had a vegetable garden behind our house and we kept a compost bin for all of our food trash. After I got my own place, I felt guilty for throwing food into the trash, but the bins that I saw in stores were kind of pricey. So, when this past weekend turned out to be so warm and sunny, I went into the backyard and dug a pit for a compost heap. There are lots of variations on the compost bin, and all of them are very easy to do. Whether you are a gardener or just want to cut down on your trash output, here are some books to check out.
The Compost Heap
Backyard Composting
The Complete Compost Gardening Guide
But be sure to remember one thing that I forgot; if you dig a hole near a tree, you’re going to run into roots. Oops.