April is Earth Month, and for MI Healthy Climate (MHC) fellows, it’s aptly filled with professional development, networking, and learning opportunities. It makes perfect sense for both the MHC Fellows program annual retreat and the annual MHC Conference to take place this month. Over the two days, MHC Fellows, new and old, came together to learn from each other and expand their networks. Our goal is to shape Michigan’s next chapter of climate action by fostering these connections and relationships, and these events provided a great opportunity to work toward that.

This year, the festivities began on April 20. The theme for this year’s retreat was “Building Leaders: Develop an enduring, capable network of climate change professionals committed to Michigan’s sustainable future,” and all of the activities focused on fostering this network. 

The morning featured MHC Fellows alumni Mason Christerfield and Kim Heumann, now EGLE Elect Pay Ambassadors. They discussed elective pay (also known as direct pay) opportunities, which provide federal clean energy tax credits for qualifying projects, like the production of electricity from eligible renewable sources. Installing geothermal HVAC systems in multi-family housing developments is just one example of how CEDAM members have already benefited or could benefit from this incentive.  

During the afternoon, the MHC Fellows were joined by the Ann Arbor Climate Corps (AACC) program for a networking lunch and a panel discussion, “Michigan’s Energy Leadership,” facilitated by current MHC Fellow, Charlotte Mayworm.  Panelists included Commissioner Katherine Peretick, Michigan Public Service Commission; Ian O’Leary, Departmental Analyst at EGLE’s  Energy Services Unit; and Cory Connolly, Owner of Connolly Strategies, LLC and former Chief Climate Officer for EGLE’s Office of Climate and Energy. The panelists discussed the major  2023 clean energy legislation that was passed, including key provisions and tradeoffs made in moving it forward. They also discussed how the Climate Energy Office is helping to translate statewide climate goals into actionable programs and policies. 

To end the day, members of all three cohorts, as well as other professionals, came together for a networking mixer. In total, CEDAM and EGLE welcomed 21 former cohort members, all 15 of the current fellows, and representatives from five host sites for an evening to reconnect and cultivate new relationships within our growing network. This was the perfect opportunity to build relationships with industry leaders and other professionals with similar goals. 

The next day, Fellows attended and presented at the 4th Annual MHC Conference. This year’s conference focused on “Advancing Climate Action Together” and turning climate commitments into healthier homes, cleaner air, resilient infrastructure, and thriving communities and businesses. Former MHC Fellow Mary-Elizabeth Estrada, who was hired at her host site as the climate and energy jobs liaison after her term ended, served as the emcee. 

The conference featured an MHC Fellow showcase, a space where all 15 current fellows hosted a table to display their work, share resources, and cultivate connections on behalf of their host sites within the community. 

The back-to-back events highlighted what we knew to be true: the fellowship is developing pathways for careers in the climate sector, advancing green initiatives, and inspiring action in communities.

The MHC Fellows, established by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy (EGLE) Office of Climate and Energy (OCE) in 2024, serve across Michigan to advance the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which aims to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis; create good-paying jobs; position Michigan as a climate action leader; and build a healthier and more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Michigan. Learn more about the Fellowship on EGLE’s website.