Celebrate the U.P.!

Join the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition in a FREE celebration of what’s great about the U.P. on
Saturday, March 28th, 2009

at the three corners where Ridge and Front Sts. intersect in downtown Marquette, MI.

Here’s what we have on tap:

At The Peter White Public Library – Community Room:

10:15-11:15 “An Author’s Journey to Advocacy: A Memorable Hike Leads to a Regional Vision” with hiker and author Eric Hansen. His presentation will include a slide show tour of the U.P.’s best hikes.

11:30-12:30 “The Beaver Basin Wilderness Designation at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore” with park superintendent, Jim Northrup

1:30-2:45 The Marquette premier film showing of “Fortunate Wilderness: The Wolf and Moose Study of Isle Royale” with documentary filmmaker, George Desort

At The Landmark Inn – Sky Room:

10:00-11:00 “From Here to a Beach that’s Almost in Paradise” with photographer, birder, Scot Stewart

11:30-12:30 “Defined by Water” with kayaker Sam Crowley

1:30-2:30 “North Country Trail in the Central U.P.” and “Exploring the Wild and Spectacular Trap Hills of Ontonagon” with North Country Trail Association hikers Marge Forslin. Lorana Jinkerson and Doug Welker

At the Landmark Inn – Board Room

10:00-11:00 “Historian Looks at the U.P.” with NMU history prof, Russell Magnaghi

11:30-12:30 “Native American Presence, Spiritual Overview” with Hannahville Indian Community spiritual leaders, Earl and Aiesha Meshigaud

1:30-2:20 “Trails – A Community Asset and Portal to our Wilderness” with Noquemanon Trail Network worker, Michael Sauer

At the Federated Women’s Clubhouse

10:00-11:00 “Why It Matters – Landscaping with Native Plants” with botanist Jan Schultz

11:30-12:30 “U.P. History from a Weatherman’s Perspective” with WLUC-TV6 meteorologist, Karl Bohnak

1:30-2:30 “Wilderness Palette: Nita Engle’s Vision of the U.P.” with renowned watercolorist, Nita Engle

These sessions will be followed that afternoon by a panel discussion – “Prioritizing the U.P. Landsccape” – from 3-4:45 p.m. at the Peter White Library with environmental historian and author, Dave Dempsey; Nature Conservancy Conservation Program Director, Christine (Tina) Hall; Pictured Rocks Park Superintendent, Jim Northrup; Sierra Club Forest Ecologist, Marvin Roberson; and US Forest Service botanist, Jan Schultz.

Then be sure to join us from 5-7p.m. at the Federated Women’s Clubhouse for a reception and tribute to wildlife biologist and UPEC founding member, Bill Robinson. Drinks and refreshments will be provided.