About

Mission Statement

Save The Wild UP’s mission is to protect Michigan’s Upper Peninsula’s (UP) unique way of life, wildlife, landscape, and freshwater resources.  Through public awareness and education we strive to protect the Upper Peninsula from unsustainable development, degradation and dangerous contamination.

History

Save the Wild UP (SWUP) celebrates 7 years of protecting land and water resources in the Upper Peninsula through its extensive public outreach campaigns. Via media and website exposure, presentations, forums and events, SWUP continues to provide the most updated educational information about the potential environmental hazards of metallic sulfide and uranium exploration and mining in the Upper Peninsula. SWUP has been able to ‘get the job done’ with a talented staff, strong leadership and professional support from the community.

Accomplishments

Outreach efforts include coalition work, presentations, events, publications, media messaging and advertising campaigns, field trips, GIS tools and a highly visited website. The director and staff  log over 60 hours per week doing community outreach, communications and overall program planning and management.

Coalition Work – we organize monthly coalition meetings and invite over 30 group heads from the local area and as far reaching as Menominee (Front 40), Baraga/L’Anse (Friends of the Land of Keweenaw), Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Wisconsin. We consistently host a minimum of 15 group heads at these meeting to share updates and ideas for a successful campaign.

Public presentations and events – our staff and volunteers travel to locations around the state to present sulfide mining information to townships, clubs and schools. This personal contact has been effective in attracting new supporters and the forming of new citizen action groups. Events like the ‘Protect the Earth Gathering’ and ‘Eagle Rock to the Mackinac Bridge Walk’, were successful in bringing committed supporters together with the general public in very positive and enjoyable activities.

Information packets and tabling – we research, write, print and distribute information packets that contain maps, fact sheets, position papers, articles and bumper stickers. Packets are made available upon request of our office visitors or by mail.

Save the Wild Up had informational booths at the annual Recreation Show in Marquette, the Blueberry Festival and Outback Art Show in Marquette, and the Bioneers Conference in Traverse City.

Publications, media messaging and advertising – we develop effective media strategies by consulting professionals who normally donate their time and ideas to our mission. Campaigns like ‘Physicians Opposed to Sulfide Mining” and “Not a Done Deal” include print, video and website exposure.

Field Trips and Tours – time spent in the field is important to our staff, helping to connect our work in the office to the environment around us. Trips to the Yellow Dog Plains serve as a wonderful introduction to the potential mining issue for folks new to the area and visitors.

GIS Tools – we research, create and produce educational maps that detail mineral exploration sights in the upper peninsula, mineral rights ownership as well as surface ownership.

Website – Our most powerful tool, www.savethewildup.org demands constant updating, research, writing, and response. Receiving over 35K hits per month, the goal for the website is to present to the public a well rounded view of the potential mining issue and related information.

 

Accomplishments of 2010

 

  • Facilitated monthly coalition meetings
  • Gave public comment/testimony at Woodland Road Public Hearing
  • Presented “Economics of the Eagle Project” at NMU
  • Sponsored two attendees at the Rio Tinto Board of Directors Meeting in London, England
  • Supported the Native American Encampment at the Eagle Mine Site on the Yellow Dog Plains
  • Held weekly peaceful protests in downtown Marquette
  • Co-sponsored ‘Rally for Water’ on the capital steps in Lansing
  • Supported the annual ‘Protect the Earth Gathering’ in August
  • Hosted lecturer and activist Lois Gibbs of Center for Health, Environment and Justice
  • Participated in mining panel discussion held at Hancock High School