The 10th annual Mayor's Green Fair will be held on Main Street next Friday, June 11.

The fair - which will feature more than 120 exhibits with food, entertainment, hands-on activities for kids, information on green commuting and a chance for bicyclists to show of their best track stand - will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..

It is free and open to the public.

One of the events is the Washtenaw Biking and Walking Coalition's Bike Fest, held to encourage bike owners to ride to Main Street between William and Liberty for the fair. There will be bike demonstrations and activities.

Free bike parking will be available.

For more information on the green fair, call the Mayor's Office at 734-794-6161, ext. 41602.

University of Michigan projects get National Science Foundation recognition

Four U-M projects, including a technique that allows bladeless cutting in LASIK eye surgery, have been designated part of the National Science Foundation's "Sensational 60" list of scientific discoveries that have had a major impact on American life.

The projects include a study by the U-M Institute of Social Research, or ISR, following nearly 70,000 people over as much as 43 years of their life to understand income, poverty, savings and wealth, and labor market behavior. It also includes an ISR study that is the longest running political time-series in the world, with data from every U.S. presidential election since Harry Truman was in office.

AATA gets efficiency system

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, also known as TheRide, is looking to save big energy at its three facilities after installing a system to increase energy efficiency.

After installing the Energy Management Control System, AATA said it expects to receive a cost savings of up to 20 percent on its energy usage. It is a way for the organization to control its operational costs, Terry Black, maintenance manager, said in a release. The system works by more efficiently controlling both temperatures and lighting inside AATA facilities.

The $78,000 investment is expected to pay for itself in two years.

U-M receives "green" health care award

The U-M Health System was recently awarded the top environmental honor by a national organization of health centers examining environmentally-friendly operations.

U-M was named as a member of the Environmental Leadership Circle, considered Practice Greenhealth's most prestigious award, according to a release. Those considered must meet criteria for a mercury-free award, recycle 25 percent or more of their total waste stream and implement other pollution prevention programs.

Awards were presented in Baltimore at a dinner ceremony May 12 during CleanMed, the global conference for health care’s environmental leaders.

Bank of Ann Arbor called recycling leader

Recycle Ann Arbor awarded the Business Recycling Leadership Award to the Bank of Ann Arbor.

Criteria for the award required the winner to recycle a high percentage of waste, have a designated staff person who coordinates the recycling, recycle special items like printer cartridges and be involved in at least three substantial practices such as green purchasing.

Between April 2008 and April 2010, the Bank of Ann Arbor recycled nearly 19,000 pounds of paper and cardboard and more than 11,500 pounds of mixed containers. The bank also recycles batteries, toner cartridges, fluorescent light bulbs, Styrofoam and shopping bags.

The bank also pledged to donate $10 to local environment efforts for customers who signed up for electronic statements. The money was used to fund the Ann Arbor Rotary Club's tree replanting efforts in Ann Arbor parks.

Sailing club to host 1 mile swim

The U-M sailing club is hosting a one mile swim at Baseline Lake with water conservationist Liz Elling and Huron River Watershed Council executive director Laura Rubin on June 11.

Sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m. and the swim begins at 9 a.m. A continental breakfast will be served after the swim.

For more information or for those interested in registering, e-mail msmith@hrwc.org. The club is located at 8010 Strawberry Lake Road in Dexter, on Baseline Lake.

To get information about a local environment event or announcement mentioned in the Tuesday environment briefs, contact reporter Tina Reed at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.