The city of Southfield was recognized for its environmental leadership by the statewide Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program. As part of the annual Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Challenge, local governments are awarded bronze, silver, gold or platinum seals of achievement. These achievements reflect community leadership in areas such as energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, recycling, environmental justice, and more.

The city of Southfield achieved gold status for exemplary action in multiple categories including: planning, economic development, land use, energy efficiency, materials management, water conservation and protection, clean mobility, and community engagement.

The city of Southfield recognized the need to formalize all the sustainability initiatives that have been implemented in the City for the last 15 years. In doing so, the Sustainable Southfield initiative has enabled the City to achieve a gold designation. The City has been continuously incorporating public education, placemaking (art, exterior furnishings, wayfinding signage), green infrastructure, micromobility, trail systems, solar light bollards, EV charging stations, and fleet electrification into City operations for residents, guests, and employees.

The MGC Challenge had a record number of participants this year, with over 63 communities being recognized for their efforts. The City of Southfield and the other participants logged actions taken through 2023 to improve sustainability efforts. 7 communities received bronze certification, 20 received silver certification, and 36 received gold certification.

The MGC program is open to all local governments in Michigan, at no cost. MGC is a sustainability networking, benchmarking and technical assistance program. It guides and supports communities in adapting to a changing climate, protecting infrastructure, improving the quality of life for residents and creating a more environmentally and economically sustainable future for the state of Michigan.

Michigan Green Communities is supported by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; the Michigan Department of Transportation; the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; the Michigan Association of Counties; the Michigan Municipal League; and the Michigan Townships Association. More details about this program can be found on their website: www.migreencommunities.com.

Questions regarding the Michigan Green Communities program can be directed to Danielle Beard, Michigan Green Communities Program Coordinator at info@migreencommunities.com.

Questions regarding Southfield’s sustainability and environmental efforts can be directed to Souzan Hanna, Sustainability Planner at shanna@southfield.com.