The environment in the Upper Peninsula recently received a boost when Save the Wild UP was awarded a grant from Freshwater Future (formerly great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund). The $3,500 grant was awarded to help protect the Upper Peninsula from major risks to the health of some of the Great Lakes region’s most precious groundwater and surface water habitats. This project will research the legal mechanisms landowners can utilize to control mining exploration or mining activity under their surface land ownership, as well as protect habitat. Results will be used to help educate the public on mineral rights ownership and their role in protecting aquatic ecosystems.

Freshwater Future builds effective community-based citizen action to protect and restore the water quality of the Great Lakes basin. They work towards this goal by providing financial assistance, communications and networking assistance, and technical assistance to citizens and grassroots watershed groups throughout the Great Lakes basin. Grassroots organizations and citizen initiatives in both the U.S. and Canada are eligible for funding in the two annual funding cycles.

“With so many great proposals for important work throughout the Great Lakes region, the decision making process was difficult as always,” said Jill Ryan, Executive Director of Freshwater Future. “The 20 applications we reviewed presented unique and thoughtful ways to engage local communities in protecting local rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Save the Wild UP was one of just 10 that received funding in this grant cycle,” said Ryan.

SWUP’s mission is to protect Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from unsustainable development, environmental degradation, and dangerous contamination through public awareness and education. The grant from Freshwater Future will help accomplish this mission by helping to protect headwaters habitats in the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan watersheds from the risks of alteration and contamination by nonferrous metallic mining, particularly sulfide mining processes.

If you would like more information on this project, contact Save the Wild UP, 906-228-4444.