Advocacy for Nature Preservation in Michigan

“Over time, the environmental movement grew and became more professionally based. We lost something,” Sikkema said. “It was the volunteer nature of it that made it very impactful.” ("Standing on the Shoulders of a Giant")

Kenneth R. Sikkema was born February 10, 1951, in Cadillac Michigan. He attended Harvard University as well as University of Michigan: Ross School of Business. In 1977-1978 he served as the executive director of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council founded by Joan Wolfe. In 1980 Sikkema helped found the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) “to act as a watchdog on state government, a clearing house for information about environmental issues, and a coordinator of lobbying and other activities for its members.” ("Michigan Environmental Council")

Headquarters located in Lansing, the MEC was meant to help solve the idea that Michigan’s environmental movement was losing its effectiveness. The 1970s had been an extremely prosperous time for the environmental movement but was missing the substantial funding needed to continue this success into the 1980s. Sikkema along with Grant Trigger, who become the MEC’s first director, created the MEC to be a “focal point of environmental political action” and increase effectiveness on Michigan’s issues. (Dzwonkowski, 1980)

“What we had been lacking in the past is the ability to maximize our effectiveness on statewide issues,” said Ken Sikkema of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, one of the half-dozen groups in the new council. "We need a skilled professional advocating for the environment on a daily basis."(Dzwonkowski, 1980)

The first Michigan organizations to join the MEC were The West Michigan Environmental Council, East Michigan Environmental Council, Detroit Audubon Society, Flint Environmental Action Team, Michigan Audubon Society, and the Mackinac Chapter of the Sierra Club. These six were just the beginning, as the MEC’s membership has only grown since its creation. Today there are nearly 80 members and represent a much more diverse group of organizations outside of the strictly environmental groups that originally joined.

7 years after the creation of the Michigan Environmental Council, Sikkema started his career in politics. From 1987-2006, Sikkema served in both the House and the Senate of Michigan’s Legislature representing areas around Grand Rapids. During this time he served on multiple committees including being a chair person for the Nat. Resources and Environmental Affairs committee. Sikkema is the only Sikkema is the only legislator in Michigan history to have served as leader of his caucus in both the House and the Senate. (Michigan Legislative Biography)

“Leader Sikkema, I’d like to thank you for your leadership in this body. Although you have that west-sider sense of humor and didn’t always appreciate my Wayne County sense of humor, I have truly appreciated your support and counsel, sir.” – Senator Toy  (Journal of the Senate, 2006)

The Michigan Environmental Council continues to drive the environmental agenda in Michigan. By developing innovative policy ideas, communicating with and educating the public, communities, and members and advocating for shared goals. They inspire state leaders to adopt pioneering solutions that set a global standard for environmental leadership. (About Michigan Environmental Council)

Current Michigan Environmental Council

                       Priorities

• Clean Water
• Human Health
• Energy & Climate Change
• Land & Conservation
• Environmental Justice
• Cities and Hometowns