Developing Policy on Environmental Quality, Schools, and Health: 2013 Michigan Conference Proceedings

Abstract

Members of Michigan’s government, academic, and community stakeholders convened for the Developing Policy on Environmental Quality, Schools, and Health Conference on May 10-11, 2013 at the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment in Ann Arbor. With support from the Kresge Foundation, the conference worked to bring together over 35 scientists, academics, community organizers, government officials, state and local school board members, teachers’ union officials, parent-teacher organizers, and policy analysts to discuss a statewide school siting policy in Michigan that takes into account environmental quality factors. The lack of such policies leaves students vulnerable to the harmful effects of polluted environments in urban, suburban, and rural settings. In contrast to Michigan, 26 states in the U.S. currently have such policies, although these vary greatly in extent and comprehensiveness. Many of these policies were discussed at the conference. The products of the conference will be utilized as instrumental first steps in the process of developing a statewide school siting policy for Michigan.