Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve » mccormick wilderness

More Protected Land in the Watershed

elimywhit — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:13:47 +0000

Another forty acres of wilderness has now been added to our list of preserved land in the Yellow Dog watershed thanks to some amazing fundraising and great support from our members. We are so excited to bring our total number of preserved acres to 412. The parcel we purchased will be protected from development and resource extraction for perpetuity.

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

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

McCormick Backcountry Fundraiser

elimywhit — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:48:35 +0000

Join the YDWP and fellow community members for a scenic backcountry ski into The McCormick Wilderness along with a gourmet hot lunch and drink. The trip will meet at Peter White Public Library on Saturday, March 6^th at 10 am and carpool to the south entrance of The McCormick Wilderness. Plan for an easy to medium difficulty ski, about 5 miles roundtrip, with a stop at a heated winter camp where lunch will be provided. There is a suggested donation of $15.00 per person. Come to support the YDWP and enjoy peak winter scenery on a ski across the awesome landscape of McCormick Wilderness.
We ski across frozen lakes, off trail through the winter forests, and enjoy an area during a time when not many visit the wilderness.

Persons interested in participating should contact the YDWP office as space is limited. You may contact them via email at ydwp@yellowdogwatershed.org or by phone at (906)-345-9223.

McCormick Tree Line in the Fall

Hike to Bulldog Lake Planned

elimywhit — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:41:22 +0000

The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve will be leading a hike through the beautiful country of the McCormick Wilderness on September 26, 2009. Join the group as they pass along the National Wild and Scenic Yellow Dog River on their way to Bulldog Lake, the source of the river. Call 906-345-9223 to RSVP your spot on this amazing hike. Participants will meet at Cram’s General Store in Big Bay at 9:30am and carpool to the north entrance of the Wilderness. Those interested should bring a lunch/water and be prepared for a hike of medium difficulty.