Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
The following press release was issued by UPEC:
The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition invites you to help celebrate the incredible place where we live. The FREE two-day event will be held at the Women’s Federated Clubhouse, Peter White Public Library, Landmark Inn, and Ore Dock Brewing Company in Marquette on March 29 and 30.
This year UPEC features a keynote speech on “The Sixth Great Lake” which has been “discovered” by Dave Dempsey. Dave provides answers and challenges citizens to rise up in defense of this precious resource. Dave Dempsey is Senior Advisor for FLOW (For the Love of Water), a Traverse City-based center dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes through the public trust doctrine. He has been active in environmental policy since the 1980s and is the author of ten books.
Following the keynote, UPEC presents the first ever “Activate the U.P.” panel discussions on two important subjects that will shape the future of our land: industrial wind power plants and state-owned mineral leasing. How will proposed industrial wind power plants affect the L’Anse Township and Michigamme Highlands? Who owns the minerals under your camp and your home? Discuss these important subjects and more with panels of experts and find out how you can get involved.
Whether you’re an outdoor recreation enthusiast, an admirer of art inspired by nature, or a citizen who wants get involved in environmental issues, you’ll be informed and inspired at Celebrate the U.P.!
Saturday’s morning schedule features Brandon Gerig on “Fish Tales from da UP,” short films by Michael Neiger and Ozminski, “Beauty and Danger in the Northwoods,” Ryne Rutherford speaking on “Biogeography and Natural History of the U.P.’s Amphibians and Reptiles, and a film screening by Michael Loukinen, Alex Maier, Jill Leonard, and Thornton Ritz, “Finnish-American Burbot Tradition.”
Saturday afternoon includes Joe Kaplan on “Planting a Future for Birds – The Escanaba Migratory Bird Enhancement Initiative,” a photo presentation by Rolf and Candy Peterson, “Your Last Canoe Trip – Circumnavigating Isle Royale In a Wood-Canvas Canoe,” a film screening by Mark Doremus – More Precious Than Gold: The Battle to Stop the Back Forty Mine,” Karena Schmidt speaking on “Lichens: A Role Model for the Human Experience,” Phill Watts presenting “A Brief History of Rock Climbing In the Marquette County Area,” and Michele Tuccini on “Painting In the Wild U.P.”
Join our plenary panel discussion, “Catch a Moment in Time! Iconic Images of the U.P.” as champions of the Yooper life each share a a single iconic image that, for them, captures what is so enchanting about the U.P.!
The event starts Friday, March 29 with the UPEC Annual Meeting at 4:30 PM at the Women’s Federated Clubhouse, followed by a kickoff event at the Ore Dock Brewing Compay at 6:30 PM, featuring award winning U.P. videos and music from Conga Se Menne featuring 2018 City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center award winner Derrell Syria. Suggested donation $10.
A detailed schedule may be found at www.upenvironment.org.
