Monday, July 27
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Registration, Lite Breakfasts & Networking
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall, 1st floor lobby
9:00 AM to 9:15 AM
Opening Song, Land Acknowledgment
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall, 1st floor lobby
9:15 AM to 9:30 AM
Welcome | President Chris Olsen
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall, 1st floor lobby
9:30 AM to 9:45 AM
Summit Highlights
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall, 1st floor lobby
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Why I Run: The Heart Behind WeRun313
Presenter(s): Lance Woods
Location: Yurt | Youth and those who work with youth
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1319
Summary: Lance opens up about the inspiration and vision behind founding WeRun313, using his own story to challenge and encourage high school students to find their motivation, own their purpose, and run toward the life they want.
Adaptive/inclusive recreation demonstration experience
Presenter(s): Zach Zuchowitz
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion | Target audience: College students, community leaders, and outdoor professionals
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1320
Summary: The Michigan Recreation and Parks Association (mParks) is committed to showcasing that parks and recreation matter—elevating quality of life, fueling economic growth, creating vibrant spaces for community connection, and protecting living landscapes that champion environmental stewardship. mParks provides advocacy, resources, and professional development opportunities while inspiring action and uniting a devoted and diverse membership. Through the Unite Committee, mParks connects members from across the state, supporting inclusion efforts and practices to provide greater access to recreational opportunities for all community members. This session will focus on the ways BIPOC Outdoors Summit attendees can connect with mParks membership organizations and members, to partner on programming, outings, and development opportunities. This session will also highlight student engagement through our student focus area, which helps prepare students for the transition from their studies to a career in parks and recreation.
MI DNR Adult Focus Forum (2-hour presentation)
Presenter(s): Hannah Douglas
Location: Northern Center, Penn III
Summary: Conservation is crucial to ensuring our natural resources are healthy and available for all Michiganders and for future generations. To advance conservation efforts and better meet the programming and outreach needs of the communities that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Wildlife Division (DNR-WLD) serves, DNR-WLD aims to build and strengthen partnerships with organizations and individuals across the State. Therefore, we are conducting focus group sessions to hear from community members and leaders engaged in recreation and conservation to inform future programming. This session will include a 2-hour guided discussion with other college students regarding the values and priorities that drive your commitment to land, water, and/or wildlife conservation. We will also discuss potential strategies to expand and improve DNR-WLD’s relationships with communities and organizations across the State. The focus group session will be audio recorded, and participation is voluntary. Light refreshments will be provided, and all focus group participants will receive a $15 grocery store gift card for sharing their insights. Participants must be at least 18 years or older and currently reside in Michigan. As space is limited to 10 participants, please register for the event using this form. Your expertise and knowledge are important to shaping the future of wildlife-related programs and recreational opportunities in Michigan.
Trailblazers: Becoming Leaders in Outdoor Recreation with the EEC
Presenter(s): Emily Hanes & Michaline Dutkiewicz
Location: Fire Site Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1317
Summary: In this session, the next generation of outdoor leaders will learn about the Big Bay Environmental Education Center (EEC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to outdoor recreation, environmental education, and community-based learning opportunities in the surrounding region. Participants will explore how the EEC is working to develop a community hub that will support educational programming, outdoor recreation initiatives, horticulture and food production education, and opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with the natural world. Beyond learning about the EEC's mission and vision, students will engage with key Leave No Trace principles and discuss the importance of responsible recreation. Through interactive group discussions and creative problem-solving activities, participants will explore real-world challenges facing outdoor spaces and identify strategies to foster environmental stewardship, encourage ethical visitor behavior, and protect natural resources for future generations. This session is designed to empower students to think critically about their role as outdoor leaders and advocates within their own communities.
11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
Where You're From, Who You Are: Stories of Identity, Place, and Belonging
Presenter(s): Jean Alicia Elster
Location: Yurt | Youth and those who work with youth
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1319
Summary: In this session designed for youth and those who work with youth, Jean Alicia Elster will explore how she approached the themes of identity, place, and belonging in her young adult novel—How It Happens—and read from select passages in that work. She will then lead the students in an exploration of the power of finding yourself in the stories you read, as well as the ones you write.
11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
Greenhouse Scavenger Tour
Presenter(s): Simone Mille
Location: Weston Science Building
Summary: In this session designed for youth and those who work with youth, step into Weston Hall for an interactive exploration of NMU’s greenhouse and science facilities! During this guided visit, participants will discover the remarkable plants growing in the greenhouse, explore the spaces where scientific learning and discovery take place, and put their observation and teamwork skills to the test through a lively plant-identification challenge. Using a series of plant-themed riddles as clues, participants will work together to uncover and identify plants throughout the greenhouse—turning the tour into a hands-on botanical adventure.
11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
Shaping Outdoor Narratives
Presenter(s): Alice Jasper & Lorena Aguayo-Marquez
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1320
Summary: The “Shaping Outdoor Narratives” breakout session will explore how decentralizing storytelling and narratives can be a powerful tool for addressing racial disparities in outdoor recreation and environmental conservation. This session will begin by providing an overview of some of the key historical influences that have shaped how many stories are told today. The session will then move on to highlight alternative storytelling methodologies such as August Boal’s, “Theater of the Oppressed” that center community voices more effectively, before exploring examples of how these storytelling practices are being incorporated into WGVU Public Media productions “Color Out Here” and “Mutually Inclusive”. The latter portion of this session will involve a short, guided activity to help attendees envision how they can begin shaping outdoor narratives in their communities.
12:15 PM to 1:30 PM
Picnic Lunch & Networking
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall, 1st floor lobby
Keynote 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM
Bridging the Distance: My Embrace of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Presenter(s): Jean Alicia Elster
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1320
Summary: Jean Alicia Elster will reflect on a decades-long relationship with the Upper Peninsula, delving into the landscapes, personal connections, and embedded memories that have shaped her as a writer and as a person.
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
MI DNR Student Focus Forum (2-hour presentation)
Presenter(s): Hannah Douglas
Location: Northern Center, Penn III
Summary: Conservation is crucial to ensuring that our natural resources remain healthy and available for all Michiganders and future generations. To advance conservation efforts and better meet the programming and outreach needs of the communities that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources-Wildlife Division (DNR-WLD) serves, DNR-WLD aims to build and strengthen partnerships with organizations and individuals across the State. Therefore, we are conducting focus group sessions to hear from community members and leaders engaged in recreation and conservation to inform future programming. This session will include a 2-hour guided discussion with other college students regarding the values and priorities that drive your commitment to land, water, and/or wildlife conservation. We will also discuss potential strategies to expand and improve DNR-WLD’s relationships with communities and organizations across the State. The focus group session will be audio recorded, and participation is voluntary. Light refreshments will be provided, and all focus group participants will receive a $15 grocery store gift card for sharing their insights. Participants must be at least 18 years or older and currently reside in Michigan. As space is limited to 10 participants, please register for the event using this form. Your expertise and knowledge are important to shaping the future of wildlife-related programs and recreational opportunities in Michigan.
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Walking together: "Two-Eyed Seeing" as a path toward holistic understanding in the outdoors (90 minutes)
Presenter(s): Andie Balenger & Brynn Jannetta
Location: Yurt
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1313
Summary: Attendees will be asked to consider a critical question: As human beings, how can we ethically recreate on stolen land? Since time immemorial, Indigenous communities have used scientific processes to understand and steward Anishinaabe Akiing and Gichinamebine-Ziibing (Marquette), the space we occupy today. After an overview of Indigenous science, Two-Eyed Seeing, and the friction between Western academic and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), attendees will be invited to engage in a heart-centered conversation about our Indigenous knowledges and how they shape our perception of the outdoors. Attendees will also be invited to consider how they can apply a Two-Eyed Seeing approach to their contexts to foster a more holistic outdoor experience that is not only inclusive but also grounded in place and identity.
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Building Relationships with Games and Initiatives
Presenter(s): Jacquie Medina
Location: Fire Site Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1317
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sustainable and Inclusive Food Systems on Campus and at Home
Presenter(s): Katy Pawlusiak
Location: NMU Hoop House & Woodland Park
Summary: Join Katy Pawlusiak, SHINE Intern and member of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians, for a tour of the new Hoop House site! Find out what's new at our new location, discover how we operate, find out how you can get involved, and get information on Sustainable and Indigenous Food Systems that you can incorporate into your own gardening journey.
5:30 PM
Warm-ups and Pre-race Announcements
Run With Lance: WeRun313 Founder Leads the 5K
Summary: Get ready to move! Lance Woods, co-founder of WeRun313, takes the lead as the official lead runner of the 5K — setting the pace and the spirit for one of the most memorable miles of the event.
6:00 PM
5K Race Start
Tuesday, July 28
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Registration, Lite Breakfasts & Networking
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall, 1st floor lobby
Keynote 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Writer's Craft Workshop: Writing the Wild: Craft, Nature, and the Making of Black Summers
Presenter(s): Jean Alicia Elster
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1320
Summary: Drawing from her chapter in the Black Summers edited collection—as well as examples from two of her historical fiction novels, The Colored Car and How It Happens—Jean Alicia Elster will read from her work and share how she approaches the natural world on the page. She will explore the discipline, perceptiveness, and sensitivity that writing about the outdoors demands. She will then lead participants in a hands-on writing exercise and ask a few volunteers to share what they have written.
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
We The Earth: Creating the UP's QTBIPOC Retreat Space
Presenter(s): Dr. Tayla Shanae Ealom and Dr. Michael Lynn Wellman
Location: Yurt
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1319
Summary: From a gear-centric culture to trail electrification studies to an emergent identity as an economic sector of innovation, the outdoor industry is increasingly tech-centric, even as it becomes impossible to liberate our attention from screens, devices, and the artificial, even in our remotest backwoods spaces. But, how often do we, as outdoor professionals, stop and ask if this trend is actually good for us? This workshop provides a space for critique of this industry direction, questions how connected is too connected, discusses the role of tech-free outdoor spaces, and uplifts an alternative vision where we, as lovers of the outdoors, intentionally carve out outdoor spaces where rest, respite, and retreat are prioritized over all else. Since the birth of civilization, wild spaces have been a place of retreat. Yet, as colonization, imperialism, predatory expansionism, and a globalized techno-industrial civilization have taken hold, these pristine outdoor “wildernesses” have become symbols of a White privileged recreation and leisure. At the same time, BIPOC bodies have been forcefully disconnected from their ancestral land-based subsistence lifeways and forced onto reservations and plantations. This workshop is about creating outdoor sanctuary spaces so that BIPOC bodies can reclaim space, foster belonging, regenerate and rejuvenate, and build pathways for leadership and well-being in the outdoors and within the outdoor industry.
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Building Purpose-Driven Careers in Parks, Recreation & Outdoor Spaces
Presenter(s): Nichole Fisher, Emily Leach, Jon Swenson, Zach Zuchowicz
Location: Fire Site Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1317
Summary: Parks, recreation, conservation, and outdoor spaces offer rewarding career opportunities for those passionate about creating healthy, vibrant, and connected communities. Whether you're a student, emerging professional, career changer, or simply exploring what's next, this session will introduce the many pathways to building a meaningful career in the outdoor profession.
Moderated by Nichole Fisher, Executive Director of mParks, this interactive panel discussion will feature professionals from across the parks, recreation, conservation, and outdoor sectors who will share their career journeys, lessons learned, and perspectives on the profession's future. Attendees will gain insight into the wide range of available career opportunities, the skills and experiences that support professional growth, and the importance of leadership, mentorship, and creating welcoming outdoor experiences for all.
Participants will leave with a better understanding of the profession, practical career advice, and inspiration to pursue opportunities that connect people, strengthen communities, and expand access to parks and outdoor spaces
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Superior Watershed Partnership
Presenter(s): Kathleen Henry
Location: Lake Superior Shoreline (exact location TBD one week before conference)
Summary: Participants will actively engage with the living lakeshore restoration project in the city of Marquette through hands-on activities, including planting native species!
Keynote 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
Running Toward Something: A Story of Purpose, Community, and Drive
Presenter(s): Lance Woods
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1320
Summary: In this keynote-style presentation, Lance Woods shares his journey as an athlete, advocate, and community builder — and what keeps him moving forward on and off the road.
12:15 PM to 1:30 PM
Picnic Lunch & Networking at NMU’s
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall, 1st floor lobby
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Clearing the Air: The Science & Public Understanding of Unhealthy Air Quality
Presenter(s): Dr. Jes Thompson
Location: Waino Wahtera Pavilion
Inclement Weather/Air Quality Location: Jamrich Hall 1320
Summary: What is unhealthy air and why don’t people take the risk seriously? That gap — between the actual risk and what people believe about the risk — is not random. It's predictable, it's been studied, and it's something we can influence with precise messaging. This presentation introduces the science of air quality (AQI categories, pollutant sources, and impacts) with research on risk perceptions and risk framing related to unhealthy air quality. Ultimately, understanding and communicating air quality risks requires clear messaging that names the cause, states who's at risk, and pairs the danger with concrete actions.
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Local Excursions
Decolonizing Diet Project Workshop
Presenter(s): Dr. April Lindala, Pamela Valdez, & Sherri Loonsfoot
Location: Love Marq Church (Fair Ave. Location) & Fire Site Pavilion (weather permitting)
Summary: Join Dr. April Lindala and Pamela Valdez for a hands-on cooking demonstration featuring recipes from the Decolonizing Diet Project (DDP) cookbook. The core DDP team is currently enjoying the ripple effect that the ongoing project has had on local businesses and community members. Due to the kitchen's size and space constraints, we will work in three small groups. Should the weather be nice, we will eat outside at the Center for Native American Studies firesite across the street in the Whitman Woods on the NMU Campus.
20 Person Limit
Trailblazers: Camp Like a Pro with the EEC
Big Bay Environmental Education Center
Presenter(s): Emily Hanes, Michaline Dutkiewicz, & Matt Cramer
Location: NTN Trailhead/EZPZ Trail | Youth and those who work with youth
Summary: Join the Big Bay Environmental Education Center for an off-site outdoor skills experience on the Noquemanon Trail Network. During this hands-on excursion, participants will develop trip-planning, orienteering, and backcountry campsite setup skills while exploring the NTN EZ PZ Trail. The program will begin with an introduction to navigation and basic orienteering techniques, followed by a scavenger hunt designed to help participants apply those skills in the field. Along the trail, participants will locate 2–3 designated activity stations where they will practice foundational outdoor skills such as knot tying, setting up bear bags, and operating camp stoves. At each stop, program leaders will provide instruction on safe and responsible outdoor recreation practices while incorporating Leave No Trace principles. This excursion is designed to build confidence in outdoor settings, encourage teamwork, and create an accessible introduction to backcountry recreation for participants of all experience levels.
Partridge Creek Compost - Transforming Food Scraps to Soil
Presenter(s): Nancy Taylor & Meghan Maas
Location: Partridge Creek Compost
Summary: Join us for an engaging interactive compost site tour that goes beyond the basics, featuring a dynamic presentation to uncover the science, significance, and stories behind composting. Discover what compost truly is—far more than just worms—while exploring its environmental benefits and why it matters for our planet. Learn about who we are (spoiler: not Partridge Creek Farm!) and how we’re revolutionizing waste reduction by turning organic materials into nutrient-rich soil for homes, businesses, and communities. Dive into our journey, from humble beginnings inspired by a man going fishing to our growth into a leading force in sustainable composting. Find out where we’re headed next—because the future isn’t just AI; it’s compost! Finally, discover how you can get involved, whether at home, in your community, or as part of our mission to create a greener, healthier world. Let’s dig in!
Chocolay River Bayou to the Rock Cut: A Guided Hike Through and Above “The Big Sandy River” of Harvey
Presenter(s): Tony Barnes
Location: Chocolay Bayou River and Kona Hills
Summary: Discover two of Marquette's hidden gems on this guided afternoon adventure. We'll begin with a leisurely walk along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail to explore the quiet wetlands of the Chocolay River Bayou, where we'll look for wildlife and learn about the area's natural and cultural history. Then, after a short drive to Kona Hills Campground, we'll hike forested trails and gain in elevation until we reach the top of the Rock Cut, where we’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Lake Superior and the Bayou below. This little over 3-hour guided hike blends history, ecology, and scenic overlooks at a comfortable pace for everyone to enjoy.
8-person limit
Itinerary
Meet at the Marquette Welcome Center at 1:45 pm.
Walk along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail from the Visitor Center to the Chocolay River Bayou.
Hike through the Chocolay River Bayou and back to the Visitor Center.
Caravan across the highway to Kona Hills Campground.
Hike through the Kona Hills and to the top of the Rock Cut.
Walk back to the vehicles to conclude the trip by 5:00 pm
Waiver
Please note that each person on the trip will need to fill out a waiver and release of liability prior to the trip.
Marquette Canoeing Excursion
Lead Guide: Nate Michels
Location: Tourist Park Reservoir, Marquette
12-person limit
What's Included: Canoe, PFDs, paddles, and three knowledgeable instructors/guides
Summary: Join us for a guided canoe trip on the beautiful Tourist Park Reservoir located in Marquette. This is a perfect scenic spot for beginners and advanced paddlers alike. Whether you've never held a paddle or you're a seasoned canoeist, several experienced guides will help you enjoy the outdoors at water level.
What to Expect: Upon arrival, all participants will sign a liability waiver. The excursion will begin with a 20-minute tutorial covering canoe basics and safety, plus time for any questions. Then it's out on the water to paddle, explore, and soak in the natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula!
6:00 PM
Summit After Party at Presque Isle Pavilion