 | LWVGTA Co-Presidents Message
April 2026
🌎 Happy Earth Day 2026! There are many things to be grateful for on this earth, the most important being Earth itself. Everything from this Earth is the reason we exist and we must appreciate the many gifts it gives us. Here in Traverse City, we are reminded of the beauty of our planet daily. Our environment is under attack. We must be the proactive guardians of our earth for future generations. Dig in and find these several Earth Bills LWVMI has supported or opposed in April.
- HB5764- Support for Plug-In Solar, Support allowing customers to access solar energy with less up-front cost. Status – Introduced and in Committee.
- SB731-732- Enable “Virtual” Power Plants, Support creating aggregation programs for DER (Distributed Energy Generation) allowing for more affordable and reliable use of energy and reduce energy waste. Status – Introduced and in Committee.
- HB5710-5711- Oppose Repeal of Michigan's Clean Energy Act, Opposing this bill that would repeal the 2023 Clean and Renewable Energy Law. Status – Introduced and in Committee.
- SB771- Support for a Statewide Septic Code, Support EGLE and local health departments to inspect onsite wastewater treatment systems and regulate installation, repair and replacement. Status – Introduced and in Committee.
- Reject Line 5 Tunnel – We are asking Gov. Whitmer to use her authority under the Clean Water Act to reject Enbridge’s permit for the Line 5 Tunnel.
May Nature expose her beauty to you today.
Charlotte Nisbet - Co- President LWVGTA
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Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22
There really is something for everyone to participate in on Earth Day. Here are just a few local ideas:
Earth Day Clothing Swap: April 22, 11:00 am–4:00 pm at Dennos Museum Center (1410 College Drive, Traverse City). To Donate: Bring gently used clothing (teens-adults, no undergarments) to the museum between April 17 and 21 during open hours. Recreation and gear donations will be accepted at the Boardman River Nature Center from April 1 to April 21, Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm. Accepted outdoor gear includes lightly used items such as raincoats, hiking pants, fleeces, base layers, daypacks, overnight backpacks, sun hats, and snow gear. Check this link for more INFO. Earth Day Clothing Swap
Earth Day Tree Planting Workbee: April 22, 10:00 am–2:00 pm. Join the Grand Traverse Conservation District at the Boardman River Nature Center to plant native seedlings and restore riparian ecosystems. GTCD Tree Planting
Botanic Garden Earth Day Celebration: April 22, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm. The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park and Oryana Community Co-op are hosting a family-friendly event featuring tree planting, snacks, crafts, and a story walk. Earth Day Barns Park Botanic Gardens
Earth Day Entrepreneur: Compost Tour: April 22 at 1:00 pm. Join a walking tour hosted by Carter's Compost exploring the composting process. Learn about sustainable practices and how you can make a positive impact on the environment. Earthday Carters Compost Tour
MakerFest 2026 & Earth Day Celebration: April 25 (note the date!), 10:00 am–2:00 pm, we’ll have projects that combine STEM, crafting, and eco-friendly activities, including upcycling and recycling initiatives. Earthday Makerfest
An Earth Day gathering with Flow: April 22 from 5:30 pm–7:30 pm, Left Foot Charley's Barrel Room hosts a casual gathering with Flow Water Advocates. We’ll share food, wine, and great conversation with a look ahead at Flow's priorities for protecting the Great Lakes. This event is free, but space is limited, so tickets are necessary. FLOW at Left Foot Charley's
Kalkaska County
Adopt-A-Highway Spring Cleanup Wednesday, May 13, 2026 11:00AM to 2:00PM
Kalkaska Conservation District (map)
Kalkaska Conservation District
Benzie County
Earth Day Celebration
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
Dinner, Family-friendly movie, Seed starting activity, Seed giveaway
April 22, 2026, 5:50-7:00PM
Registration is not required but is appreciated: Kimberly.Hinmon@gtb-nsn.gov
231-534-7825 (Desk)
7282 Hoadley Road, Benzonia, MI 49616
Benzie Conservation District
Film screening: Prairie Prophecy
Hosted by WUWU Radio & the Elberta Heritage Center
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 7:00PM
The Garden Theater, 301 Main St, Frankfort, MI 49635
Antrim County
Green Elk Rapids at ER Cinema
In celebration of Earth Day, Green Elk Rapids will host a screening of the prize-winning documentary The Biggest Little Farm. Wednesday April 22, 6:00 p.m. Elk Rapids Cinema. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. No tickets required. Donations appreciated. 205 River Street, Elk Rapids, MI. Earthday at Elk Rapids Cinema
For more ideas on how to celebrate Earth Day, see EarthDay.org.
| Learn About Data Centers - View a presentation co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Michigan's Environmental Network and the Michigan Climate Action Network. Speakers included: Lee Shaver, Senior Energy Analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists, Prescott Balch, Retired Technology Executive, Boratha Tan, Senior Regulatory Manager for the Midwest at Vote Solar and Chris Gilmer-Hall, Policy Association, MI Environmental Justice Coalition.
Data Centers - What Michiganders Need to Know
|  Voter Service Committee
The Voter Services Committee is hard at work reaching out to voters!
On March 25 we hosted a Democracy Trivia night at the Right Brain Brewery. There were about 40 people and they seemed to enjoy the event. We are looking into possible other venues, likely in the fall such as NMC, public library youth groups, high schools, brewpubs in other counties. Suggestions are welcome!
We were at Interlochen Arts Academy for two days in early April. We spoke with many students and did registrations and pre-registrations in many states. We are planning to do this again in the fall. We are also reaching out to other high schools in the area.
The LWVGTA Voter services tab on our website (lwvgta.org) has been refreshed with access to many good information sources and links to the "Beyond the Ballot" presentation about Michigan election processes and to SOS videos on many election topics.
We are planning a combination of candidate forums for this fall, hopefully coordinating with other leagues for state and federal races. We are planning to do forums for TCAPS and NMC Board candidates here in Traverse City.
We are continuing to add Voter Service information table events to our calendar. VS will be at the National Writer Series author event on July 13th NWS - Barbara McQuade Info and at TADL on the second Tuesday of each month.
Trivia Night at Right Brain Brewery
Screening of the Short Film - The Officials
At our April 15 member meeting we had a screening of the short film "The Officials" by Margo Guernsey and Sara Archambault. The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at a politically diverse group of election officials who, despite facing increased threats, harassment and intimidation, remain committed to serving their communities by running secure elections and ensuring every eligible vote is counted accurately. After the screening we split into small groups to discuss how the experiences of the election officials made us feel about our elections today and how we can best spread the word that our elections are secure. We had some good conversations and exchange of ideas. If you missed the meeting, you may still view the documentary online and read The Officials meeting Information.
View The Officials
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LWVGTA Annual meeting!
Monday May 11, 2026 9:00 - Noon LWVGTA Annual Meeting, We need you at the LWVGTA Annual Meeting! League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area Annual Meeting. Breakfast buffet, Awards/Member Recognition, Annual Business Meeting: Reports, Elections, Bylaws Approval. Our speaker is Paula Bowman from the LWV Michigan and will speak on the League and its part in Democracy, past and present. Hagerty Center, 715 E Front St, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, MI 49686. Check in 9:00, Breakfast starts at 9:30 Cost $35.00. Please REGISTER ONLINE by May 4th, or mail a check to LWVGTA, PO 671, TC, MI, 49685.
View the Annual Meeting Invitation |  | 
Traverse Area District Library
2026 Civics & Democracy Programing at TADL.
In honor of the USA's 250th anniversary, the Library is offering a year of civics celebratory programing.
TADL Civics Programs
Community Resources - Community Resources Page
May 8, 2026 , Voter Services Committee, 10:00AM. Check the LWVGTA.org calendar.
Save the Date!
May 11, 2026, LWVGTA Annual Meeting, 9-12 - Hagerty Center,
League of Women Voters of the Grand Traverse Area Annual Meeting. Breakfast buffet, Awards/Member Recognition, Annual Business Meeting: Reports, Elections, Bylaws Approval. Speaker Paula Bowman from the LWV Michigan. Check in 9:00, Breakfast starts at 9:30
Cost $35.00. REGISTER ONLINE HERE or mail a check to LWVGTA, PO 671, TC, MI, 49685.
May 18, 2026 , Advocacy Committee, 10:00AM. Check the LWVGTA.org calendar.
May 26, 2026, Fact Finding Presentation at TADL 6-8PM
Fact Finding: how to find good information while making voting and civic engagement choices. Presented by Ed Ronco Interlochen Public Radio and Alice Schuman LWVGTA.
| | |  | | Our voting rights are under attack. Both the US House and Senate continue to introduce and amend bills that would require voters to present documentary proof of citizenship (DPOC) to register and/or vote, including the SAVE America Act, the Safeguard Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), and the Make Elections Great Again Act (MEGA). It is already illegal for noncitizens to register and vote in federal or state elections and too many Americans lack the ability to gain access to a birth certificate or other proof of citizenship required in these bills. They also have restrictions on mail-in ballots and will make our election officials jobs more difficult many times over.
In the Michigan government, the State House has also passed their own version of the SAVE act and is waiting on Senate approval. It is also likely that one of the ballot petitions calling for DPOC may be on the November ballot. It is essential that people understand that this is NOT about requiring persons to show a photo ID at the polling location. The photo ID must show proof of your citizenship. Even though you may have presented all the proper documents for a REAL ID, Michigan's REAL ID is not proof of citizenship, so you will need a passport or birth certificate to accompany your photo ID.
The League of Women Voters of Michigan recorded a panel discussion on Jan 21, 2026 to discuss why Documentary Proof of Citizenship policies are needless voter suppression, and what the public can do to stop it.
| | |  | Wise Words
There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew. ~Marshall McLuhan | Contact your Representatives and Senators and demand Action.
Keep up the good work by letting your Congressperson know your point of view. Don't assume Congresspersons already knows what to do. Your phone message, email or letter are important to them for tracking statistics from their constituents - positive or negative. Remember that you are speaking as an individual unless utilizing the LWV Action pages.
Ways to contact your Senators & Representative to demand action.
US Capital switchboard – 202-224-3121 operator will connect you directly to the office you request.
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US Senator Gary Peters
Traverse City Office
109 E. Front Street Suite 215B
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 947-7773
https://www.peters.senate.gov/
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US Senator Elissa Slotkin
Traverse City Office
3335 South Airport Road West Suite 6B
Traverse City, MI 49684
P# 231-929-1031
https://www.slotkin.senate.gov/
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US Representative Jack Bergman
Traverse City Office
1396 Douglas Drive, Suite 22B
Traverse City, MI 49696
(231) 944-7633
https://bergman.house.gov/
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LWV – Take action https://www.lwv.org/take-action
Michigan Action - Easy Peasy
Utilize the LWVMI website Take Action Page. You can formulate your own message or use one they have crafted for important League Priorities.
LWV Michigan – Take action https://lwvmi.org/take-action/#/
"To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
| League of Women Voters Grand Traverse Area
Serving the people of Antrim, Benzie, Crawford, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska Counties
PO Box 671, Traverse City, MI 49685
Voicemail: (231) 714- 9763
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