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Thanks to all who joined us at CUP 2026!

See the front page story in the Marquette Mining Journal (March 19, 2026) on UPEC's 50th anniversary:

https://www.miningjournal.net/news/front-page-news/2026/03/upper-peninsula-environmental-coalition-marks-50th-anniversary/

And here's a short news clip from 19News:

https://youtu.be/szNkSm544wM?si=bMy85axRJxtfRnm7

ICYMI ... Here’s what went down at CUP 2026!

Friday March 20, Public Meeting and Music

https://www.facebook.com/events/1366154212205483

Friday, March 20 5-10PM

Kognisjon Bryggeri

1034 N 3rd St, Marquette, MI 49855

906-273-2727

5-6 PM UPEC 50th Anniversary Free Public Meeting

6-7 PM Michael Waite

7-10 PM Groove Candy

Saturday, March 21, Main Event

https://www.facebook.com/events/190783005317151

10 AM: Evan Zimmermann

Introduction to 50th Anniversary Celebration

Evan Zimmermann is UPEC President and has been volunteering with Save the Wild U.P and then UPEC since moving to Marquette in 2010. We’ll review 50 years of UPEC’s history and begin our anniversary celebration!

10:30 Keynote Speaker: P. David Allen

Paper Valley: The Fight for the Fox River Cleanup

David Allen is an award-winning scientist and author. He directed the natural resource damage assessment of Green Bay, WI, which launched Superfund at the site and led to one of the most comprehensive and public natural resource damage assessments in U.S. history. He was the leader and public face of the assessment for federal, state, and tribal agencies. That assessment eventually led to $1.3 billion of PCB cleanup and restoration, paid by the polluters. It was the largest Superfund effort since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, and the largest PCB cleanup in history.

Allen was named “Outstanding Public Servant of the Year” by the Clean Water Action Council of Northeast Wisconsin and was formally recognized by the U.S. Attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for his environmental enforcement efforts in Wisconsin. He went on to become a vice president at Stratus Consulting, Inc., helping the company grow from $8 million per year $20 million per year. He worked as an expert for seven federal agencies, 17 state agencies, and 16 Native American tribes in 25 states. He now serves on the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and the Election Board, For the City of Marquette, MI and performs regularly in three orchestras and several chamber groups.

12-1: Lunch Break

1 PM: Steve Waller

Planetary Health Check

Steve Waller is a retired technical and environmental educator who lives on 80 acres of rugged timberland off-grid north of Marquette. He previously taught wind power and solar power classes at Northern Michigan University. He has taught a Reading the Woods program annually for the DNR for over 20 years and also operates the Waller Research Area from his home.

After nearly twenty years of scientific research and analysis, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research has created an internationally recognized metric for the health of the planet – Planetary Boundaries. This metric identifies nine critical planetary processes that need to be monitored and managed. The boundaries generate a single annual summary called the Planetary Health Check. This one-hour program, presented by Steve Waller, explains the Planetary Boundaries framework, how it was developed, and describes where to focus our energy to effectively make the planet healthier.

2 PM: Abby Wallace

A Blueprint for Rural Renewables: Implementing the Rural Energy Prize in Alger County

Special Projects and Research Manager at the Michigan Environmental Council, Abby is a lifelong Michigander and lover of nature. She joined the Environmental Council staff in April 2020. During her time with the organization, she has worked as a policy advocate for clean energy and climate issues, a member engagement specialist and now a project and research manager. In that role she spends part of her time organizing to expand clean energy opportunities across the Upper Peninsula.

In the transition to a cleaner grid, rural communities face unique challenges and opportunities. This session explores the Michigan Environmental Council’s recent work in Alger County, centered on leveraging the federal Rural Energy Prize to spark local action.

From cultivating community partnerships to deploying the Solarize model, we will examine the strategies used to bridge the gap between high-level energy goals and on-the-ground implementation in the Upper Peninsula. Join us for a discussion on what it takes to build a successful rural energy initiative, the lessons learned along the way, and a vision for replicating this success across the Northwoods.

3 PM: Joe Locricchio and Bella Foelsch

The Making of 1000 ft Down

As a Michigan native, Joe Locricchio has always wanted to do a project about his home. Joe hopes to change the often-negative perception of the Midwest. Bella Foelsch, a lifelong enjoyer of the outdoors, joined this project to highlight underrepresented wild spaces.

Joe, senior year film student at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and co-director of 1000 ft Down, will walk us through a deeper look into a short documentary process, with a focus on environmental activism.

All Day: Dave Kalishek

Blue Moon Outdoors Membership Raffle

Dave Kalishek is a life-long outdoorsman and naturalist who is fascinated by everything wild around us.

Blue Moon Outdoors offers guided mushroom hunts, wilderness treks, outdoor workshops, and more in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Public and private outings available.

UPEC Members can enter to win a free three hour tour for up to four people, including 30 minutes of pre-walk class time. Choose when and where you’d like to go in an area about an hour around Marquette or anywhere in the U.P. for an additional fee, and Dave will pre-scout the area and set up the tour. July or August is suggested for peak season. The tour can include other wild edibles as well.

The first four new members to sign up during the raffle period receive a free Blue Moon Outdoors t-shirt!

https://www.facebook.com/people/Blue-Moon-Outdoors/61579903276345/