Grassroots in the UP since 1976

Saturday, March 7, 2-4PM, Peter White Public Library Community Room (downstairs)   •   FREE & open to all!

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2 PM: Sisu Award Presentation

Jon Saari, Professor Emeritus of History, Northern Michigan University

 

We begin our celebration by presenting the UPEC Sisu Award for a lifetime of service to honor our former board member Jon Saari, one of the most prominent protectors and eloquent advocates of the U.P. environment, whose service to the U.P. began even before UPEC's 50 year history.

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2:30 PM: Local to global: climate action in the era of US authoritarianism

Sarah Green, Professor Emerita of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University

 

How can we effect meaningful action to limit climate change when the federal government is promoting coal? Will include insights from COP30, the international climate meeting in Belem, Brazil in 2025.

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3:30 PM: Monitoring Program to Track New Mining Activity

Brian Noell, Communications Director, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve

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As demand increases for domestic sources of so-called critical minerals, mining companies operating in the UP are ramping up operations. Last year, the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve launched a monitoring program to track new mining activity in the vicinity of the Yellow Dog Watershed and further west in the Huron River Watershed.

 

Brian Noell will discuss the program, which includes remote monitoring through satellite imagery, on-site visits, and an online mine site reporting form for citizens. In addition, he will review new developments in the mining industry, particularly the purchase of Eagle Mine by Talon Metals, which has potential implications for the acceleration of mining exploration in our region.

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