The Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit (GLBD) held its 16th annual conference on the McNichols Campus of University of Detroit Mercy on Oct. 15-16. The conference was a regional Bioneers Pollinator event.
It was the third time in the past four years that the conference was hosted on the Detroit Mercy campus (2018, 2019) and more than 200 people attended, including middle and high school students from various local schools.
The theme for the 2021 conference was “One Earth Community” and drew attention to coming together to address environmental issues, as well as build and renew a community effort to overcome problems of divisiveness and injustice.
The opening ceremony for the conference featured the Danza Ceremonial Azteca. Participants went on walking tours of environmental projects at Gesu Schools, Wayne State University, Cadillac Gardens at Merritt, Fitzgerald Park and McNichols, and Palmer Park.
A virtual One Zoom event from the Fitness Center featured Nancy Tuchman from Loyola University Chicago, speaking on Laudato Si’s relevance for Jesuit universities. The conference had several workshops on Friday and Saturday from local groups such as Gleaners, People’s Water Board, Planet Detroit, Citizens’ Climate Lobby and a community panel on “Addressing Inequalities to Create a One Earth Community.”
Vendors and exhibitors set up in the Fitness Center to showcase products, books and other literature during the conference. Several Detroit Mercy faculty and librarians gave presentations during the conference.
The planning committee and GLBD thanks all those involved, including sponsors, staff and volunteers, in making the 2021 conference a success.
Visit Great Lakes Bioneers Detroit website (www.udmercy.edu/glbd) for full information on the conference. For interest in joining the 2022 conference, please contact Gail Presbey at presbegm@udmercy.edu.