The parcel is located directly adjacent to the McCormick Wilderness Area, the only federal wilderness in Marquette County. The land itself serves as the north entrance to the wilderness area and is the trailhead that leads to the upper stretches of the Yellow Dog River, where it is considered a National Wild and Scenic River. It contains exceptional cedar forests, wetlands, a small stream, and is home to numerous flora and fauna species. Parcels like these are important not only biologically, but also serve as a buffer between protected and unprotected lands.

YDWP started fundraising for the acquisition early in 2011 by hosting a benefit concert. The event was successful and gave us a great start. We then researched grant opportunities and came upon the J.A. Woollam Foundation. They were willing to give us a $20,000 grant is we could raise $10,000 ourselves. That’s when our supporters came in and made it all happen. We were fortunate enough to be part of an online fundraising competition that Patagonia and Moosejaw put on.  The organization that raised the most money in two weeks got an additional $5,000. So we fundraised until our fingertips hurt but ended up on top, raising a total of $17,000. This more than enough covered the match requirement for the Woollam Foundation and so we were able to secure that funding. As of November, the parcel is fully paid for and belongs to YDWP and its members. We will give our members a chance to explore the parcel this coming spring, when we install a commemorative sign and host a picnic on our new land.

Unique fungus growing near wetlands on the new parcel

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

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.

The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival is now the largest environmental film festival in the country, with over 100 venues nationwide. The main goal is to inspire activism in those who attend, and make a lasting impression on the environment. Marquette’s venue will show 8 films over two nights and feature local experts on the subject of each film.

The films address a range of environmental issues, from urban organic gardening to faith communities greening their churches to the impact of roads in wilderness areas. “I love the way each film focuses on issues that we all face, no matter what your beliefs are, but in a way that is visually exciting and very inspiring. All of the films have really great cinematography and lively soundtracks,” said Emily Whittaker, Executive Director of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve. “It’s great that our community is going to be part of this national circuit of festivals.”

Check out one of the film clips

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Downwind Sports or calling the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve office at 906-345-9223. Tickets will be available at the door as well. Admission for both nights for adults is $15, one night is $10. Ticket price for students is $5 per night. Call 906-345-9223 for more information or visit our www.yellowdogwatershed.org. 

Here is a quick look at the program:

November 5

1. Last Frontier: Conservation & Exploration in Papua New Guinea Trip Jennings- Introduced by Sam Crowley (Sea Kayak Specialists)
New Britain Papua New Guinea is one of the last frontiers between the industrialized world and tribal village life. This film weaves the story of an epic kayaking expedition around the story of a culture, ecosystem and river on the brink of change. (Papua New Guinea, 2007, 19min)  www.riversindemand.com

2. Hardrock Mining – Rethink, Reform
Adam Cramer, Nat Lopes- Introduced by Cynthia Pryor (Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve)
As human-powered outdoor recreation enthusiasts, we all need metal, from climbing carabiners and bike frames to trekking poles and ski edges. However, there remains a problem: 19th century values and policy are guiding 21st century high-tech mining technology. www.outdooralliance.net

3. Paradise Found: The Phoenix Islands
Kate Raisz- Introduced by Jon Saari (Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition)
In a remote corner of the Pacific, the nation of Kiribati has created the world’s largest marine reserve, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area. The reserve covers 410,500 square kilometers and is home to thriving coral reefs and abundant sea life, including sharks and manta rays.  The film follows scientific expeditions to these islands and the efforts of the people of Kiribati and the international environmental community to create the reserve. (US, 2005) www.neaq.org, www.phoenixislands.org

4. Division Street

Eric Bandick- Introduced by Dr. John Anderton (Northern Michigan University-Geography Department)
This is not your father’s road trip. Roads and cars have fragmented wild landscapes, ushered in urban sprawl, and challenged some of the bedrock values we once took for granted.  But as the transportation crisis appears to be spiraling out of control, a new generation of ecologists, engineers, city-planners, and everyday citizens are transforming the future of the American road. From pristine roadless areas to concrete jungles, follow filmmaker Eric as he tours North America, dodging Yellowstone’s grizzlies and Miami’s taxicabs, and highlighting sustainable road projects and wildlife corridors for the 21st century. (US/CANADA, 2008) www.divisionstreetmovie.com, www.transalt.org

November 6
1. Homegrown Revolution
Jules Dervaes- Introduced by Natasha Gill (Marquette Food Co-op)
In the midst of a densely urban setting in downtown Pasadena, radical change is taking root. For over twenty years, the Dervaes family have transformed their home into an urban homestead. As a family for this new paradigm, they harvest nearly 3 tons of organic food from their 1/10 acre garden while incorporating many back-to-basics practices, as well as solar energy and biodiesel.  www.freedomgardens.org

2. Burning the Future: Coal in America – 30 min.
David Novack, Alexis Zoullas- Introduced by John Rebers (Sierra Club)
Confronted by an emerging coal-based US energy policy, activists in West Virginia watch the nation praise coal without regard to the devastation caused by its extraction.  Faced with toxic ground water, the obliteration of 1.4 million acres of mountains, and a government that appeases industry, our heroes demonstrate a strength of purpose and character in their improbable fight to arouse the nation’s help in protecting their mountains, saving their families, and preserving their way of life. Montana CINE Best of Fest (US, 2007) www.burningthefuture.com

3. The Good Life Parable: An MBA Meets a Fisherman
Mark Albion and Free Range Studios - Introduced by Emily Whittaker (Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve)
A businessman and a fisherman on a small island. He tries to teach the fisherman about business but the fisherman teaches him about life. (US, 2008) www.makingalife.com, www.freerangestudios.com

4. Renewal

Marty Ostrow, Terry Kay Rockefeller- Introduced by Jon Magnuson (Cedar Tree Institute)
In communities across America, people are rolling up their sleeves in practical and far-reaching ways. Offering a profound message of hope, this film shows people driven by their spiritual and religious convictions, being called to re-examine what it means to be human and how we live on this planet. The full-feature film presents eight individual stories of Americans around the nation in different faith traditions, who are working to become better stewards of the environment. In this edited version for the Wild & Scenic On Tour, three parishes are featured: a Christian, a Jewish and a Buddhist congregation . Best of Fest, Hazel Wolf FF (US, 2007) www.renewalproject.net

To find out more about the festival origins, visit
http://www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/

If you would like to volunteer at this event, contact us at 906-345-9223.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Board of County Road Commissioners of Marquette County, Michigan will hold a public hearing on September 28, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. EST. The hearing will be held at the Ishpeming Township Hall .
The purpose of the public hearing is to discuss the Woodland Road Transportation Plan.
Minutes for the above meeting will be filed and available for public use at the Road Commission Office during normal operating hours.