Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve » Events

Fall Shindig and Annual Meeting

elimywhit — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:10:15 +0000

The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve will be hosting its 16th annual fall meeting and concert, December 3rd, 2011. Doors open at 7:30 pm in the Banquet Room of Upfront and Company in Historic downtown Marquette. This year’s entertainment is nationally known, and Michigan loved. Roots Rocking, Steppin In It will be hitting the stage for one night only in Marquette.
YDWP is throwing the concert as a way to give back to all of their supporters, members, and volunteers. Therefore, no admission fee will be charged. Along with great music and dancing, the group will use this event as a way to let people know about how the watershed has changed over time, its history, and how the group continues to achieve its mission of protecting and preserving the resources. There will be a community generated slideshow during intermission featuring our member’s favorite photographs of the beloved watershed.

YDWP will hold their Annual Meeting at 6:30pm in the Banquet Room of the Upfront and Company, prior to the concert. Elections for board members will take place. In addition, an update of the group’s activities will be given. Positions for board of directors are open to members of YDWP and are listed below.

Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
3 Directors

If you are interested in becoming a part of our board of directors, email us at emily@yellowdogwatershed.org. You must be a member of YDWP and attend our Annual Meeting on December 3rd.

July Events

elimywhit — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:52:00 +0000

Many excellent events are coming up this summer that are well worth attending. Here are just a few.

DEFEND OUR WATER and STOP THE EAGLE MINE: Save the Wild UP/WAVE Campaign Kickoff this Saturday, July 9, at 1:00 PM. Speakers, activities, and informational table will be at Marquette County Court House. The day will continue with a RALLY at the Mine Site Gate at 4:30 pm and Food and Social in Big Bay. Fireworks will be at 10:30 pm on Squaw Beach.

Ceremoninal Long Walk on the Yellow Dog Plains: On Sunday, July 17 at noon, there will be a commemoration of Eagle Rock as a sacred site – both to Tribal Nations and to the people who have long held Eagle Rock as a symbol of this effort to stop this mine on public lands. We need people to gather and give one step, one half mile, two miles, four miles, or whatever they are able, to the effort to walk around this site three times. More details can be found by clicking on the document below.

Long_Walk_of_the_Drum,_7-15-11[1]

Kirtland’s Warbler Survey in June

elimywhit — Mon, 16 May 2011 20:20:21 +0000

A Kirtland’s Warbler Survey will be ongoing from June 6 through June 20, coordinated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and local volunteers. To help survey the Yellow Dog Plains for this endangered bird, volunteers can call our office at (906) 345-9223. Surveying in Marquette County is done by vehicle, as well as walking through habitat areas. Maps of habitat areas are provided, and each morning of the survey, those participating will meet at the Triple AAA and Co. Rd. 510 intersection. This is a fantastic opportunity to view many species which make their home in the jackpine plains of the Yellow Dog River corridor. Bring binoculars, water, food, gear, and be willing to battle the insects. Please call ahead if planning to join us!

Benefit Concert for Land Preservation

elimywhit — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:15:49 +0000

As part of our core strategy to protect the watershed, we sometime acquire land to keep open to the public and free from harm. We have an opportunity to purchase 40 acres in the watershed that are quite worth it. The parcel is located by the north entrance of the McCormick Wilderness Area and has old growth white pines, wetlands, and groves of cedar. We hope you will help us achieve this goal by coming to our next benefit concert. Legacy’s Universe, a Motown rock and jazz band, will be playing for us on March 25, 2011 at 7pm at the Landmark Inn’s Harbor Room. Tickets will be $10 and that gets you in for good music, some munchies, and a complimentary keg of KBC’s Pick Axe Blonde. Cash bar will be available as well. To make the evening even better, we will be showcasing large prints of the watershed and will auction them to raise additional funds. So mark you calendar and come jam for a good cause.

Who: Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve presents Legacy’s Universe
What: A Benefit Concert for Land Preservation
Where: Landmark Inn in the Harbor Room
When: March 25, 2011 at 7pm
Why: To raise funds to purchase a parcel near the McCormick Wilderness Area

Jammin out at a festival

LEGACYS_UNIVERS_no_more

Backcountry Ski Fundraiser

elimywhit — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:22:07 +0000

Get your wax on and sign up for our backcountry ski fundraiser. We had an excellent time last year and this year will be no different. The date is set for February 12 and we will lead you on a fantastic ski along the ridge of the Yellow Dog River valley. When we return from our ski, Carl Sams has offered his classy chalet overlooking the watershed for us to warm up and have lunch. We will provide the meal, using as many local and organic ingredients as possible. Space will be limited so sign up early! Email us at ydwp@yellowdogwatershed.org. Suggested donation of $25 is greatly apprecited!

Lunch Menu:
Homemade Asiago and Herb Italian Bread
Curry Sweet Potato Oven Fries
Spinach Alfredo Lasagne or Meat Lovin’ Marinara Lasagne
Blueberry Cheescake
Coffee/Tea/Juice

Ski Details:
4 mile ski over varied terrain
Moderate skill level

Winter Bird Survey

elimywhit — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:20:12 +0000

The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve will be hosting a winter bird survey on February 5th in Big Bay. We are looking for interested participants to come and find out who is still brave enough to stay the winter in the watershed. Start time is 9:30am and we will be at the YDWP office to go through protocol, get equipment, and orientation. Snacks will be provided so email us at emily@yellowdogwatershed.org if interested.

Life’s A Beach So Clean it Up

elimywhit — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:37:40 +0000

As we continue our mission to protect the waters of our area, we participate in the International Beach Clean Up every September. So this year we will be cleaning the public beach in Big Bay on September 25 at 10am. We always have a ton of fun and remove hundreds of pounds of garbage that would end up in Lake Superior. We provide snacks, some t-shirts, and all the tools you need. Just show up, have fun, and be a part of the solution. If you have questions, call us at 906-345-9223. To get to the beach from Marquette, drive up County Road 550 until you reach Big Bay. Continue through Big Bay, past the churches and around the curve. Take a right toward Bay Cliff Health Camp. Continue down the hill and veer left. Go straight until you see beautiful Lake Superior. You are there!

Last year's participants rounding up the junk

Environmental Film Festival Returns

elimywhit — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:07:04 +0000

For the 2nd year in a row, the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve will be hosting the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival along with Downwind Sports and Students for Sustainable Living. The event is scheduled for November 4, 2010 at 6pm in room 103 of Jamrich Hall on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Last year’s event was a huge success, reaching over 150 community members over two nights. This year films will be viewed over one night and will allow viewers to glimpse other communities addressing environmental issues with grassroots fervor. Each film highlights the power of the individual in securing a future for our collective planet. You won’t want to miss the fun! We will have local eats and treats, businesses and groups showcasing their efforts, and films that will leave you ready to put your ideas for a better world into action. Bring your spent CFL lightbulbs to get recycled to the event too! Below is a list of the featured films. If you questions or would like to sign up to volunteer, email us at emily@yellowdogwatershed.org. See you in November.

More information about the film festival can be found at the website below:
http://www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/

Films On Tour
Planting Hope:
Lisa Merton, Alan Dater 7 Minutes
The simple act of planting trees by Kenyan Wangari Maathai grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights, and defend democracy—a movement for which this charismatic woman became an iconic inspiration and the winner of Nobel Peace Prize. This is a 7-minute segment of a longer 80-minute film.

Every Day at School- Introduction by Kathy Wright, Powell Township School
Tristan Bancks, Wendy Gray 5 minutes
Follow a class down under as they spend the first five minutes of every day at school taking action to change the world in positive ways.

Watershed Revolution- Introduction by Emily Whittaker, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
Rich Reid, Paul Jenkin 27 minutes
What is a Watershed? The answer is explored through interviews with concerned citizens working to protect and preserve the Ventura River watershed.

Missouri Stream Team- Introduction by Geri Grant, Superior Watershed Partnership
Jim Karpowicz 18 minutes
Over 4000 teams channel the energy and enthusiasm of 80,000 volunteers in a host of stream stewardship activities in Missouri. Told in their own words, Stream Team volunteers describe the connections they’ve developed with their natural resources and with each other.

Signatures- Introduction by Bill Thompson, Downwind Sports
Nick Waggoner 12 minutes
At the heart of this lovely tale of deep powder mystery: the seasons. In Japan there is a cultural connection to the different Signatures of our terrestrial home– a sense that the rhythm of fall, winter, spring, summer influences the rhythm of the person, their energy, their style, and the lines they choose. Niseko local photographer Yoichi Watanabe explains, “As a photographer, the change in season brings a change of subject. I have to be ahead of this change in nature, like I have to be thinking about flowers before they actually bloom in order to capture what really goes on. I can say the same about the snow as well.”

Ascending Giants- Introduction by Doug Turnbull, Students for Sustainable Living
John Waller 12 minutes
You may hug a tree, but would you climb one? Join tree lovers & climbers Brian and Will as they attempt to find Oregon’s largest Sitka Spruce trees. Through their eyes, from both ground and canopy views, we discover the breathtaking beauty of these beautiful giants.

The Fun Theory: Piano Staircase 2 minutes
“Take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator and feel better” is something we often hear or read in the Sunday papers. Few people actually follow that advice. Can we get more people to take the stairs over the escalator by making it fun to do? See the results here.

The Fun Theory: Bottle Bank Arcade 2 minutes
Many of us return our plastic bottles and cans. Noticeably fewer recycle their glass. Maybe that’s because we don’t get any money in return, as we do for cans and plastic. Can we change this attitude by making recycling glass fun to do? So you are not just rewarded with a good conscience, you also get a smile.

Young Voices on Climate Change- Introduction by Mindy Otto, Students for Sustainable Living
Lynne Cherry 14 minutes
“If you adults won’t do something on climate change, then we kids are going to take the reins,” says young activist Shannon McComb. These kids speak directly about their concerns, knowledge, and their actions to combat climate change.

Generations- Introduction by Vern Barber, Marquette Mountain
Steve Jones 17 minutes
For many, snowy winters have a deep significance – culturally, personally, and financially. Going beyond charts and numbers, this new film humanizes the debate on climate change by exploring the delicate balance of winter and the intrinsic value of snow to people across generations and cultures.

The Story of Cap and Trade-Introduction by Gary McDonnell, Northern Michigan University
Free Range Studios 10 minutes
Annie Leonard of “The Story of Stuff” is back! This time, she is telling the story behind one of the most talked about solutions proposed to combat climate change: carbon trading. But is carbon trading a real solution, or just a dangerous distraction? Annie looks at the controversial issue in a head-on, matter-of-fact, and provocative way that will open your eyes and make you think twice about this supposed “silver bullet.”

Split Estate- Introduction by Kristi Mills, Save the Wild UP
Debra Anderson 15 minutes
Imagine discovering that you don’t own the mineral rights under your land, and that an energy company plans to drill for natural gas two hundred feet from your front door. Imagine having little recourse, other than accepting an unregulated industry in your backyard. Planet Green’s Documentary Film Series – Reel Impact.

Garbage Angels
Pierre Trudeau 6 minutes
What happens when trash meets trash? Could there be life in a dump? Best Canadian Short, Planet in Focus.

Nourish- Introduction by John O’Bryan, Students for Sustainable Living
Kirk Bergstrom, Linda Davis 26 minutes
What we eat, where we eat, and how we eat reveals much about our relationship to food. Today, more than ever, we need to understand where our food comes from and how it reaches us. If you want change, vote three times a day – with your fork!

River Monitoring Day

elimywhit — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:51:34 +0000

In early celebration of World Wide Water Monitoring Day, the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve is hosting a training session for individuals who want to learn more about river ecosystems and assist in our water monitoring program. We will provide information, tools, refreshments, and a free river monitoring T-shirt on September 11, 2010 to those who participate in this fun day of learning on the river. We will meet at the Yellow Dog River bridge across County Road 550 at 10am and carpool to our monitoring station upstream. From there, we will get into the stream and learn how to collect water quality information, so tall boots or waders are needed for those who want to get in the river. For the less adventurous, we will show participants how to record the information using a system developed by the MiCorps monitoring program.

Volunteers make our program successful. We need people who are excited about taking part in the solution and who love to learn more about their natural surroundings. Our Water Quality Protection Program is largely based on river monitoring and helps us understand the health of the ecosystem. This training is open to the public and is free, although donations are always helpful. If you are interested in learning and attending this training, please rsvp by September 9, 2010 by sending an email to Emily@yellowdogwatershed.org or call the YDWP office at 906-345-9223. Space will be limited to sign up soon!

Who: YOU! and the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve

What: A Day of Fun and Learning How to Monitor a River

Where: The lovely Yellow Dog River

When: September 11, 2010 at 10am

Why: The river needs you!

How: We will show you!

Yellow Dog Riverkeeper teaches children along Salmon-Trout River

Native Plant Walk along Woodland Road

elimywhit — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:12:30 +0000

NORTHWOODS NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY OUTING

Proposed Kennecott haul road and North Country Trail
Michigamme Highlands, Marquette County, Michigan
Saturday, August 28, 10 AM Eastern (9 AM Central).

Leaders:
Emily Whittaker, Executive Director, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
Steve Garske, Invasive Plant Specialist, GLIFWC

This trip will begin near the southern end of the proposed mining haul road through the scenic Michigamme Highlands. We’ll drive the southern 2/3 of this gravel road. At the north end of the road we’ll take a hike along a seldom-visited and very scenic portion of the North Country Trail. This trail runs through an amazing variety of natural habitats ranging from open rock outcrops to northern hardwood forest and upland white pine and cedar. At the far end of the trail, we’ll visit a forest of red oak and white pine, where a plant never before seen on an NNPS trip grows in perfusion! This area is also the heart of Michigan’s moose range, so there is a (small) chance that we could see a moose. This trip will also provide a chance to see a little of what the big mining companies are planning for this still-isolated and wild part of the UP.

What to bring: Hiking boots and clothing, bug dope (biting bugs were not bad at all as of last week) water, trail snacks, camera.

Directions: From Bruce’s Crossing, follow M28 and M28/41 east 68.5 miles to County Road FX, also known as the Wolf Lake Road. This road starts 1.5 miles east of the BP station in Humboldt. Follow the Wolf Lake Road north (with a short jog to the east at the beginning) from Hwy 28/41. From Marquette, drive west about 30 miles to Wolf Lake Road.

At the start of the Wolf Lake Road you should see a brown state sign with the words, “Access site – Wolf lake – Brocky Lake”. Go north 3.5 miles along this gravel road, where we will meet up for the rest of the trip. You can park off the road there if you wish to carpool. From here it is another 12.0 miles north along this road to the Dead River. (With reasonable care this gravel road is quite passable up to the river with a passenger car.) From the river we’ll walk 0.7 miles north to the start of the North Country Trail. The walk from the river to the easternmost hill on the trail and back takes about 2 hours at a moderate pace, so plan on 3-4 hours round-trip (including stops along the way).

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING, SO WE CAN PLAN AHEAD AND SO NO ONE GETS LEFT BEHIND!

Contact Steve at:
asimina@alphacomm.net
715-682-6619 x 126 (GLIFWC)

or

Emily Whittaker
ydwp@yellowdogwatershed.org
906-345-9223

by Thursday, August 26th, if you plan on attending.