Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

The Lansing-based Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) formed in 1980 to coordinate lobbying and other member activities, distribute information, and monitor the environmental policies of state government. More recently, the council has focused almost exclusively on distributing information, directing funding, and building broad consensus on land use issues. The MEC records include information on significant environmental issues in Michigan as well as administrative papers pertaining to the council's operation.

The Michigan Environmental Council records depict the incremental growth of one of Michigan's pre-eminent environmental organizations. In addition to administrative records dealing with the council's operation, the record group also contain information on key environmental issues, major council initiatives, and MEC members. These records therefore will be of value to those interested in the environmental movement, Michigan legislative process, and the development of non-profit organizations.

Records of the Michigan Land Use Institute, a northern-Michigan based environmental and regional planning organization. The Institute uses local programming and local and statewide political lobbying to establish an approach to economic and physical development that strengthens communities, limits suburban sprawl, and protects Michigan’s natural resources. This record group contains correspondence, reports, conference papers, and publications related to the organization and its goals.

The Michigan land Use Institute Records contain materials dating from the Institute's inception in 1995 through 2006 and originating from a number of different offices and administrative units. The collection has been divided into five series, Legal, Library, Policy Files, Program Files, and Visual and Electronic Materials.