As part of Groundwork's ongoing series of equity writings—today honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service—we invited Isiah Smith to reflect on James Baldwin's phrase: “For this is your home, my friend, do not be driven from it,” published in Baldwin's...
How Groundwork Executive Director Elizabeth Palchak fell in love with nature and learned to lead
Hello. Today we are so pleased to share thoughts from Elizabeth Palchak, our new executive director! Elizabeth comes to Groundwork from the University of Vermont, where she directed the University’s Office of Sustainability. She has worked in the private sector,...
Why we need to site a lot of clean energy infrastructure in Michigan … and how you can help
Many people who cherish Michigan farmland and countryside have at some point in their lives probably fought to stop a large development near their homes—a huge factory, a gigantic shopping mall, a freeway, a coal plant. However, it’s likely that few lovers of...
Sovereignty, treaties and the dark legacy of oil’s impact on Indigenous people
Based on transcript of comments by Holly T. Bird, as edited by Jeff Smith Today, on Indigenous Peoples' Day 2024, we are sharing thoughts from Holly T. Bird, an attorney/activist who is a descendant of the Apache / Yaqui (Durango Community) / Purepecha Tribe and lives...
Groundwork’s Xavier Verna shares thoughts for National Hispanic Heritage Month
As part of our ongoing series of articles commemorating equity holidays and month-long celebrations, we are today commemorating the close of National Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing thoughts from Xavier Verna, Groundwork’s Major Gifts Officer. As told to Jeff...
Thank you for staying in the ring to fight Line 5
At our “Tunnel Vision” event a few months back, Michigan Assistant Attorney General Dan Bock was fresh from presenting in the federal courthouse in Cincinnati, arguing that the state’s Line 5 case should be heard in Michigan state courts, not federal. During the...