2026 Sustainability Summit - Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment

We The Earth: Sanctuary at the Nexus of Rest, Resilience, and Resistance | Northern Center Ballrooms I & II

This session will introduce We The Earth, an emergent local nonprofit land project with the mission of fostering rewilding through the operation of a seasonal retreat center on the Yellow Dog River that serves as a space of sanctuary for our earthly kin, as a gathering grounds for movement activists, creatives, and healers, and as an institute for experimental experiential embodiment education. 

Ganonyok: Gratitude as Resilience and Everyday Resistance | PEN I

This presentation examines Ganonyok (Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address), gratitude as an everyday, relational practice, as a form of resilience that functions as resistance within Indigenous knowledge systems. Moving beyond narratives of resilience as mere survival or adaptation to harm, the session positions gratitude as a refusal of extractive, productivity-driven, and settler colonial logics that undermine rest, reciprocity, and care.

Student Led Sustainability Rest and Resilience Panel | PEN II

This panel discussion will bring together student leaders from sustainability and wellness organizations across campus to reflect on the UNITED conference theme of resilience. The session will feature perspectives from multiple student groups and explore how students experience and practice concepts of sustainability, rest, and resilience within student organizations. Panelists will share their experiences and insights to inspire meaningful discussion and encourage attendees to take action in their own communities.

The Northern Woodshed Project: Cultivating Rural Resilience through Local Bioenergy Production in the UP | PEN II

Inspired by the success of the farm-to-table movement, the Northern Woodshed Project explores the potential for “heating locally” through sustainable bioenergy solutions. This applied research initiative brings together engineers, faculty researchers from multiple disciplines, and community partners to examine how Northern Michigan University could reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. The project investigates the feasibility of heating campus buildings with wood chips sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Upper Peninsula.

Author Book Signing: Dr. Lesley Larkin | Founders Room

These curated, drop-in book signing sessions offer conference attendees the opportunity to connect directly with featured authors in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Author(s) will be present as guests stop by to purchase books, request signatures, and engage in meaningful conversation about the stories, ideas, and experiences that shape their work.  Books for sale include Reading in the Postgenomic Age: Race, Discipline, and Bionarrativity in Contemporary North American Literature by Dr. Lesley Larkin; Leading From The Roots by Dr. Kathy Allen; Have Dog Will Travel: A Poet's Journey by Stephen Kuusisto.

Transformative Hope for the Climate Crisis - Eileen Boekestein, EGLE | PEN II

In the face of escalating climate challenges, many conversations about climate change rely heavily on fear and despair. This presentation explores how grounding climate action in transformative hope can disrupt cycles of pessimism and instead highlight the power of practical skills, collaboration, and critical thinking. The session emphasizes the role of hope in developing a generation of informed, resilient, and proactive climate leaders.

Walking the Talk on Sustainability at NMU | Outdoor Experience

Northern Michigan University has worked for decades to advance sustainability across campus. This session will guide participants through a historical overview of sustainability initiatives and innovations that have strengthened campus resilience to climate change. The program will take the form of a 1.5-hour outdoor walking tour of campus, beginning in front of the bookstore at the Northern Center and proceeding rain or shine.

Individual Actions Matter: Reducing Waste | PEN IV

This one-hour session focuses on the impact individuals can have by reducing the amount of waste they generate. Participants will learn about recycling and composting practices, explore statistics related to waste reduction, and discuss practical ways to minimize everyday waste. The session will also include an interactive activity designed to help attendees apply waste-reduction strategies in their own lives.

Makers Fair: Design Thinking + Birdhouse Build | Northern Center Ballrooms I & II

Get hands-on at the Peak26 Makers Fair! Led by the Innovate Marquette Protolab, this interactive session lets you craft a custom wooden birdhouse with 3D printed elements while learning the basics of design thinking. Bring your friends and family for a fun, creative afternoon. Plus, everyone who participates will be entered to win a 3D printer!

SHINE & Library Read Aloud | Founders Room

Bring the kids for a sustainability storybook hour!

 Asahi Nordic Health Practice | Peninsula III

Asahi Nordic is a gentle mind-body exercise practice that combines slow, low-impact movements designed to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Suitable for individuals of all ages and health levels, the practice promotes improved circulation, immunity, and overall quality of life. This free session will give participants the opportunity to experience the benefits of Asahi Nordic firsthand. No equipment is required.

Responsible AI for Environmental Management | PEN I

This 50-minute workshop introduces students to practical and responsible uses of artificial intelligence in environmental management. Participants will explore how AI can support sustainability goals, including reducing energy and water demand, while addressing concerns about AI’s resource-intensive infrastructure. The session will provide strategies to minimize AI’s environmental footprint and to balance its benefits and costs. A laptop is required for participation.

Book Swap, Encouraging Rest and Resilience through Literature | PEN III

This session will host a book swap and a discussion focused on literature related to rest, resilience, sustainability, and well-being. Participants are encouraged to bring a favorite book and share meaningful chapters, passages, or ideas with others. The event will provide a relaxed environment where attendees can exchange books, discuss impactful themes, and connect with one another. Tea and light snacks will be available to create a welcoming and comfortable space for conversation and reflection.

With Great Lakes Comes Great Responsibility: Digital Outragicity and Data Center Resistance | PEN III

This presentation explores how members of Generation Z have used social media platforms to support grassroots opposition to data center development along the Great Lakes. Drawing on Jeff Rice’s theory of digital “outragicity” (2016), the session examines how digital storytelling, place-based narratives, and online circulation shape activism, public responsibility, and the reach of environmental resistance movements.

More-than-Human Relative: Giizhik (Cedar) Workshop | Outdoor Experience

This workshop explores the ecological and cultural significance of giizhik (cedar). The session begins with a review of key concepts from the Ecology and Society research publication Gathering Giizhik in a Changing Landscape (Clark et al.). Participants will then walk to the Woodland Park woods to respectfully gather cedar boughs while learning about cultural teachings related to the plant. The workshop concludes with participants creating cedar bundles and sharing cedar tea together.

Indigenous Fashion Show | PEN I & II

Native American Student Association is putting on the 1st Annual Indigenous Fashion Show. This event will showcase various clothing and jewelry styles of Indigenous Peoples from Turtle Island and beyond. This show is focused on Indigenous fashion, artists, and models. This is an inclusive event for all students to showcase their fashion (Indigenous or otherwise).