Tag Archives: Events/Public Meetings

Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival

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The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, Downwind Sports, and Students Acting to Save Michigan Water will be hosting the national Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival this November. The festival will be a two night event, November 5th and 6th, in Jamrich 103 on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

The films address a range of environmental issues, from urban organic gardening to hydroelectricity to the impact of roads in wilderness areas. “I love the way each film focuses on issues that we all face, no matter what your beliefs are, but in a way that is visually exciting and very inspiring. All of the films have fantastic cinematography and lively soundtracks,” said Emily Whittaker, Executive Director of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve. “It’s great that our community is going to be part of this national circuit of festivals.”

The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival is now the largest environmental film festival in the country, with over 100 venues nationwide. The main goal is to inspire activism in those who attend, and make a lasting impression on the environment. Marquette’s venue will show 10 films over two nights and feature local experts on the subject of each film.

For more info, visit our site at http://www.yellowdogwatershed.org/blog/2009/09/29/ydwp-hosting-film-festivalydwp-hosting-film-festival

Contact:

Emily Whittaker

Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve

906-345-9223

emily@yellowdogwatershed.org

Protect the Earth August 1st and 2nd

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Protect the Earth Agenda
Saturday August 1st

Workshops, Dance and Music: Northern MI University, Whitman Building, Whitman Commons (Rooms 122 and 124), and West Science Building, Mead Auditorium, Marquette, MI, 12-4 pm and 6-8 pm (See Details Below)

Workshop Speakers Include, Saturday 12-4 pm, Whitman Building, Whitman  Commons,  Rooms 122 and 124:

Lorraine Rekmans: Serpent River First Nation (Uranium Mining)

Al Gedicks: University of LaCrosse WI, Wisconsin Resources Protection Council, Author and Filmmaker (WI Grassroots Multicultural Movements)

Laura Furtman: Author (Pollution at Kennecott’s Flambeau Mine, WI)

Stuart Kirsch: Anthropologist, University of MI (Indigenous Movements, Papua New Guinea)

Eric Hansen: Writer and Traveler (The Upper Peninsula, A Spiritual Homeland)

Lee Sprague: Sierra Club Clean Energy Campaign Manager and Former Ogemaw of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

Mike Collins: Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition

Tim DeChristopher: University of Utah student, Oil and Gas Drilling

Music 12-4pm Throughout Workshops and 15 Minute Breaks, Whitman Building, Whitman Commons Room:

Victor McManemy: Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination, Musician

Skip Jones: Wisconsin Folksinger, Educator and Social Activist

Music and Dance:Whitman Commons,  6-7:30pm

Megan Tucker: Anishinaabe Fancy Shawl and Hoop Dancer

Bobby “Bullet” St. Germaine: Ojibwe Folksinger

Movie demo: Mead Auditorium, New Science Facility NMU: 7:40-8:00pm

“Yoopers vs. Giant Mining Corporation”, NMU Mead Auditorium, Right Across from the Whitman Building, 7:30-8 pm

Sunday August 2nd

Walk to Eagle Rock (2 miles): Meet and Park at the Clowry Trail, Follow the Signs from County Rd. 510, 10:30 am
Bring your blueberry pails! (Rides will be provided back to your vehicles, and if you cannot walk the two miles please meet at Eagle Rock for lunch and speakers at 12pm) (Also, see directions below)

Lunch,Speakers,Ceremony: Eagle Rock, 12-2pm

Fred Ackley, Fran Van Zile, Jerry Burnett: Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa

Jessica Koski: Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Sacred Sites)

Lee Sprague: Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

Al Gedicks: WI Resources Protection Council

Eric Hansen: Traveler, Author

Lorraine Rekmans: Serpent River

Bobby “Bullet” St. Germaine: Lac du Flambeau

Kenn Pitawanakwat: Manitoulin Island

Tom Williams: Lac Vieux Desert

Visit yellowdogsummer.wordpress.com for more information or call 906.942.7325

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Fun-raise with SWUP at our Walk/Paddle/Roll Events

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Fun-raise with SWUP at our Walk/Paddle/Roll Events
What:  Great Lakes Walk, Paddle, and Roll Fundraising Event
When:     Saturday, August 22, 2009,  10:00 am
Where: Big Bay, MI
For More Information, Contact:
Save the Wild UP             Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
Quentin Sprengelmeyer, 228-4444     Emily Whitacker, 345-9233
Website: savethewildup.org        Website: yellowdogwatershed.org

Join Save the Wild UP, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and Freshwater Future in a Great Lakes Walk, Paddle, and Roll Fundraising event, which culminates with a 20-mile off road mountain biking adventure on Saturday, August 22. All funds raised will be used to support environmental outreach and educational activities and similar efforts around the Great Lakes region.
Participants can either solicit pledges by
~picking up pledge envelopes at the SWUP or Yellow Dog offices or by
~setting up an individualized website on   http://www.firstgiving.com/freshwaterfuture.
Another option would be to donate directly to the organization. All gifts are tax deductible.
Local volunteers and avid trail riders will help organize and lead groups of bikers through logging trails and existing county roads of varied terrain with water views and scenic overlooks along the way. “The Big Bay area has miles of off road biking options. Our job is to encourage folks to challenge themselves by setting not only a substantial fundraising goal but a personal biking achievement. Our experienced tour leaders guarantee an awesome day of biking and camaraderie—all for a great cause!” says Kristi Mills of Save the Wild UP.

Here in Marquette County and across the western UP, the threat of sulfide and uranium mining continues with increased levels of exploration. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we work together to ensure the health of our community’s environment and the Great Lakes for our children, grandchildren and future generations.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors John G. Shedd Aquarium, Grand Traverse Casino and Resort, and Big Bay Outfitters.

For More Information Contact:

Save the Wild UP
Kristi Mills 228-4444
Website: www.savethewildup.org
Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
Emily Whittaker, 345-9223
Website: www.yellowdogwatershed.org
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Kirtlands Warbler Survey Scheduled

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The annual Kirtland’s Warbler singing male survey of the US Fish & Wildlife Service will be conducted June 6th through June 15th for the entire Upper Peninsula.

Interested volunteers for the Yellow Dog Plains survey can contact Nancy Moran by calling the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve at 906-345-9223. Surveyors will meet daily at 7:00 am at the intersection of Co Rd 510 and the AAA Road. Maps of the survey area and instructions will be provided. (Water, bug spray, and a compass/GPS are recommended supplies)

The survey is conducted by driving or hiking this large area, listening for birds and investigating singing warblers.

If you are interested in participating in the survey of other areas of the UP, contact Christie Deloria at USFW, 906-226-1240.

Adult Description of the Kirtland’s Warbler

* Small songbird; large warbler.

* Bluish gray face and back.

* Yellow throat, chest, and belly.

* Black stripes down sides.

* White crescents above and below eyes.

* Constantly pumps its tail.

* Two white wingbars.

Immature Description

Similar to adult female, but duller, and with black spotting across chest.

A rare bird of the Michigan jack pine forests, the Kirtland’s Warbler is dependant upon fire to provide the small trees and open areas that meet its rigid habitat requirements for nesting.

2009 Indigenous Earth Issues Summit

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The Center for Native American Studies is proud to present the second annual NMU Indigenous Earth Issues Summit being held on Monday, April 6, 2009, at the Great Lakes Rooms in the Don H. Bottum University Center at Northern Michigan University. This event is FREE and open to the public!

Registration deadline is Wed., April 1 at noon.

This year’s summit will feature keynote presenter, Evon Peter (Neetsaii Gwich’in), an Indigenous environmental activist from the northeastern mountains of Alaska, on Monday evening at 7 p.m. Listen to a radio interview with Evon Peter here.

Throughout the day the Summit will have panels, individual presenters, films and poster displays on various environmental issues impacting Indigenous peoples and lands around the world. Informational and commercial eco-vendors will be part of the summit activities as well.

Also, check out the live webstreaming archives of last year’s NMU Indigenous Earth Day Summit, including presentations by keynotes Garry Morning Star Raven of Manitoba and the Aboriginal Delegation from Australia by clicking here.

For more information about this year’s Summit click here or call 906-227-1397.

This summit is made possible by the generous support of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Your Water, Your Health March 19th, 6pm-8pm

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The Great Lakes Health & Environment Action League (HEAL) invites you to share soup at a forum “Your Water, Your Health,” on Thursday, March 19th, at 7 pm in the Marquette Federation of Women’s Clubs, 104 W Ridge Street (at the corner of Front St.).

For more information, please email:GreatLakesHEAL@gmail.com or visit: greatlakesheal.wordpress.com

The event is free and open to the public.