Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Founded in 1970, the Ecology Center of Ann Arbor is a grassroots community organization committed to increasing environmental awareness. Records include meeting minutes, financial statements, correspondence, news clippings, photographs and publications relating to the activities and functions of the organization, especially in the areas of recycling, energy conservation, and ecology.

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.