Environmentally Concerned Citizens of South Central Michigan facts for kids
| Abbreviation | ECCSCM |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | Hudson, Michigan |
| Website | https://nocafos.org/ |
The Environmentally Concerned Citizens of South Central Michigan (ECCSCM) is a group of people in Michigan. They care deeply about the environment and public health. This group focuses on problems caused by large animal farms. These farms are called concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. ECCSCM is located in the Western Lake Erie Watershed. This area is important because its rivers and streams flow into Lake Erie.
ECCSCM works to teach people about the dangers of CAFOs. These dangers include health risks and harm to the environment. They also talk about air and water pollution. The group also supports better ways to farm. This includes eating local food and choosing meat, eggs, and dairy from animals raised on pastures.
Contents
Understanding CAFOs and Their Impact
CAFOs are very large farms where many animals are kept in small spaces. These animals produce a lot of waste, like liquid manure. This waste can cause big problems for the environment.
Protecting Drinking Water
ECCSCM is very worried about the drinking water in their area. Liquid manure from CAFOs can leak into underground pipes called field tiles. These tiles then drain into streams. From there, the pollution can flow into Lake Erie. Lake Erie is a major source of drinking water for many people.
Water Pollution Concerns
The organization believes that some CAFOs are breaking Michigan's rules for clean water. They watch these farms closely. If they find illegal activities, they report them. This helps protect the water for everyone.
Promoting Sustainable Farming
ECCSCM also teaches about farming methods that are better for the Earth. They encourage people to support local farms. They also suggest choosing products from animals that graze freely on grass. This helps keep the environment healthy.
Lynn Henning's Role
Lynn Henning played a big part in starting ECCSCM. She is a well-known environmental activist. Lynn won the Goldman Environmental Prize for her strong efforts against CAFOs. This award is like the Nobel Prize for environmental heroes. Her work helped bring attention to the issues caused by these large farms.
