A recent change in ownership of a 1360 acre commercial forest property in the Pilgrim River watershed has created the opportunity for a project supporting sustainable forestry, watershed protection, public recreation and education. The property includes over 2 miles of the Pilgrim River, including a good portion of the River's headwaters. Read more >

The Michigan Nature Association guidebook titled Walking Paths & Protected Areas of the Keweenaw describes twenty-two sanctuaries & preserves in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Designed to increase awareness of local land conservation efforts in the Keweenaw; and the special habitats, unique features, and interesting plant and animal species.  More info>

Workshop Dates: June 9-24
Workshop Fee: $699 per person if registered by March 5, 2014 ($25 discount for IRKPA members)

Join botanist Janet Marr for four days in Lake Superior’s Isle Royale National Park and learn to identify the diverse native plants of this incredible island! Learn more>

Date: Thurs, March 20
Time: 7-9 pm
Place: MTU, Hesterbug Hall G002
Event: Green Film Series - Gasland film

Date: March 26
Time: 5:30 pm
Place: MTU, Dow 641
Event: Invited speaker, Dr. Robert W. Howarth from Cornell University, will discuss the greenhouse gas footprint of shale gas and hydraulic fracturing. Reception will follow.

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014
Time: 10am-Noon
Place: TBD
Event: (Tentative) Panel Discussion on hydrofracking

Are you doing great work to protect or restore the natural environment, or do you know of someone whose efforts to protect or restore the lake's natural environment are truly superior? If so, help make others in the basin aware of these contributions by submitting a nomination for this binational stewardship award! Deadline for completed applications is Friday, April 11, 2014.  More info >

Date: Thursday, May 22
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Place: Holiday Inn, 1951 U.S. 41, Marquette, MI 49855
Cost: $35

You’re invited to the U.P. Green Expo brought to you in partnership by the Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen Program and the Michigan Green Communities Challenge, offering green tools for corporations and communities; the Sustainable Research Group facilitating Department of Energy manufacturing programs; and U.P. Green, a Michigan non-profit offering recycling services and establishing the U.P. Green Business Zone

Expo agenda and registration>

View food/farm events for western, central and eastern regions>

Find out more >

Michigan utility customers may be eligible for a free furnace or boiler tune-up through a statewide energy efficiency program. Tune-ups ensure heating systems are running cleanly and efficiently, saving residents money and eliminating health and safety risks.

Blue Terra Energy is conducting the free tune-ups, normally priced at $100, for natural gas utility customers in the western Upper Peninsula. Residents must be Semco Energy Gas Company customers to qualify. Customers can call (906) 487-5342 to schedule.

The free furnace and boiler tune-ups are funded by revenue collected from a small surcharge Michigan utility customers currently pay on their monthly bills. In addition to a free tune-up, customers may also be eligible to receive a new programmable thermostat and/or new carbon monoxide detector, free of charge.