“Northwoods Forest Conservation — Practical Advice for Landowners”

With Joe Hovel, Partners in Forestry and the Northwood Alliance

Thursday, December 10, 2020, 7 pm EST, livestreamed via Facebook and Zoom (links below)

“Let’s Talk” is the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition livestream program that looks at how we, the people, can build sustainable communities in the UP. Our next program will be a conversation between Joe Hovel of Partners in Forestry and the Northwood Alliance, and Horst Schmidt, President of UPEC. Hovel will talk about Northwoods Forest Conservation: A Handbook, a new, free 66-page publication that provides practical advice for landowners who want to manage their forested property in an ecologically sound way. The handbook shares reflections from Northwoods conservation practitioners and landowners, assembles tools and resources for forest conservation, and celebrates completed projects. The handbook is free for the asking (donations gratefully accepted; see links below). Mike Dombeck, a former chief of the U.S. Forest Service, says, “I have not seen a more inspiring, practical, and easy-to-read ‘how-to’ guide to common-sense sustainable forest land conservation practices. Northwoods Forest Conservation: A Handbook is an must-read for all who depend upon and care about forests.” Hovel will also talk about other recent projects, such as the new Community Forest at Wildcat Falls.

About Joe Hovel

Joe Hovel has been a tireless advocate for Northwoods land conservation practices for decades. He is president of Partners in Forestry Cooperative and a passionate leader for Northwood Alliance where he continually strives to inspire the next generation of conservationists. His years of conservation-related activity are grounded in a passion for the innumerable reasons to protect the environment for future generations. He has negotiated, acquired, and transferred lands for conservation as well as carried out numerous other conservation practices. Following a long career in value-added forestry and woodworking, he is working to demonstrate that sustainable forestry and conservation are one and the same in practice.

Ordering the Handbook

There is no charge to request the handbook, but donations are welcome to help offset costs. To order, send an email with your name and mailing address to nwa@nnex.net or partnersinforestry@gmail.com, or else call Northwood Alliance at 715-479-8528. To donate, visit https://www.northwoodalliance.org/donations.

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Who's Hungry? Access to Local Food in the UP (November 18, 2020)

Guest: Sarah Monte, Outreach Director, Marquette Food Co-op

This installment of the “This Is It!” livestream series of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition features a look into the U.P.'s food system and how farmers and local food advocates are building access to healthy and sustainable food for everyone. Why does small scale, local agriculture matter? What barriers to access stand in the way, and how can we develop healthier communities and a thriving environment through food?

Sarah Monte has been spreading the word about good food for more 10 years. A certified teacher with degrees in history and political science, Sarah also has experience with farming, managing farmers markets, marketing, and curriculum development in the health and local food sectors. She loves helping people make connections and find resources in the local food network, so she’d be glad to answer any questions you have.

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Marquette Spaceport? Development at Any Cost? (November 5, 2020)

This installment of the “This Is It!” livestream of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition featured a close look at a controversial proposal, sprung upon the Marquette community with great fanfare last summer: a spaceport on Lake Superior. Our guest was Dennis Ferraro, president of a new nonprofit called Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior.  You can find out more about them at https://www.facebook.com/Citizens-for-a-Safe-Clean-Lake-Superior-101326901764542.

After an online petition garnered 21,000 signatures opposing a spaceport, CSCLS formed to defeat the plan, which is seen as damaging to an outdoor recreational-based economy, a danger to public safety, an interference with vested property rights, and a threat to the quality of life enjoyed by Powell and Marquette Township residents.

When Ferraro, a retired trial attorney with long-standing family ties to the UP, took up residence three years ago with his family on the shoreline of Lake Superior near Marquette, he was inspired to become involved in environmental issues. After getting his feet wet and learning from activists, Ferraro now finds himself as president of  CSCLS. He will make the case that there is no compelling need to industrialize the pristine Lake Superior shoreline at the estate of Granot Loma.

You can contact CSCLS at contactcscls@gmail.com.

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