Campus Sustainability Updates - Feb. 16, 2024 - Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment

INNOVATION WEEK SCHEDULE INCLUDES A LOT OF SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE SESSIONS!

• Register for Innovation Week here!

Don’t miss the following: 

Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. - A Hopeful Horizon for Climate: Bridging Communications, Cognition, and the Science of Hope: Climate change is the crisis of our time, but also an opportunity. This session explores how to foster hope and catalyze climate action by bridging communications, human cognition, and the science of hope. Attendees will learn research-based strategies to: inspire public support for climate solutions through effective communication, leverage insights from the science of hope to motivate change, and empower individuals and organizations to become agents of hope and progress on climate and beyond. By uniting communications, cognition, and hope, we can build momentum for the systemic change needed to address climate change. This discussion aims to provide attendees with practical tools to spread hope and become catalysts of climate action in their communities.

Thursday, Feb. 23 at 10:15 a.m. - Breakout Session: Sustainability with Alice Jasper, Good for Michigan: Alice Jasper (she/they) is a Multiracial-Black sustainability professional and outdoor enthusiast. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Alice relocated to Michigan where she attended college in the Upper Peninsula before putting down roots in Grand Rapids. Today, Alice serves as Program Director for Good For Michigan; a state-wide economic development initiative that centers social and environmental sustainability and convenes Michigan’s B Corp Certified business community.

Thursday, Feb. 23 at 11:15 a.m. - Breakout Session: Building a Sustainable U.P. Panel Discussion: Join us for a panel discussion to learn about sustainable practices within the building and construction industry. Panelists: 

• Steven Donley, Eco Smart Home Pros
• Ben Schimpf, Peninsula Solar
• Evan Lucas, NMU Construction Management program

Friday, Feb. 24 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Climate Action Design Jam: Design Jams are a proven model for bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and empowering them with training and tools to solve complex problems in a fast-paced and high-energy environment. This Innovation Week Design Jam will explore solutions to Climate Change and Sustainability through pillars unique to the Upper Peninsula.

About Innovation Week:

Innovate Marquette and SISU at NMU are hosting Innovation Week! This event takes place February 21 - 23, 2024. Innovation Week is a three-day professional development conference bringing together thought-leaders, innovators, and creative minds in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Featuring keynote speakers, carefully curated innovation quests, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, Innovation Week will inspire, enlighten, and spark curiosity.

SKILL BUILDER WORKSHOP - LEAVE NO TRACE: LEADING BY EXAMPLE 

Learn how to apply the 7 Leave No Trace principles and how to be a leader in sustainable outdoor recreation. Join us February 21 from 6-7 pm in Jamrich 2319. 

SUSTAINABLE FASHION - BEGINNER SEWING SERIES 

Beginning at the end of this month we will be kicking off a three-part beginner sewing series to promote sustainable fashion! The first event will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 23 at the SHINE building (1400 Presque Isle Ave). This event is a mending workshop where individuals will learn darning/mending skills and build small personal repair kits from recycled materials.

The second event will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15, this event will be centered around sewing machine basics! Participants will learn basic stitches and sewing skills and go home with their first finished project!

The third and final event is scheduled for Friday, April 26 during Earth Week, at this event we will put our new skills to the test and sew reusable period products for women overseas!

All of these events will take place at 5 p.m. in the SHINE building (little brown building next to Temaki & Tea). The first event will be open to all students, while the final two events will have a limited number of available seats (please RSVP to mikroger@nmu.edu.) We are very excited for this series and can’t wait to see what it brings!

ECOREPS WORKSHOPS & EVENTS 

EcoReps meetings are Thursdays from 5-6pm in Jamrich 1311. Register on the Hub to receive EcoReps emails. EcoReps have many exciting events coming up!!

• February 22nd - Sustainable Swap (RSVP above)
• February 29 - Screen Printing
• March 19th - Spring Cleaning Day
  • EcoReps encourages you to practice spring cleaning on March 19th in your physical and digital world. EcoReps will post tips & tricks to sustainably spring clean on Instagram.
• March 21 - EcoBricking Workshop

KEWEENAW YOUTH FOR CLIMATE ACTION - KEEP THE U.P. WILD! 

Keep The U.P. Wild is a campaign to pass a resolution in the state Legislature in support of this effort to signal to Congress and state leaders to designate four areas that total about 51,000 acres in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as federal Wilderness. Check out the website to learn more about how to support this campaign!

QUEEN CITY SEED LIBRARY 

The Peter White Public Library (PWPL) is hosting the Queen City Seed Library, housed in an old wooden card catalog on our main floor, across from the Circulation Desk. Seed libraries are sprouting up across the U.S. They are self-serve, and in Michigan, they are supported by Michigan agricultural laws.

The Queen City Seed Library is managed by individuals from Transition Marquette Seed Guild, MQT Growth, and representation from the MSU North Farm and Partridge Creek Farm. These groups gather and stock seeds put them in envelopes, label them, provide directions, and keep the collection supplied with seeds. Binders on top of the cabinet explain the “check-out” process for seed packets. Patrons are encouraged to grow extra so that they can bring new seeds to the annual Seed Swap which is held in late March, or early April in the lower level of the Library. To learn more, visit PWPL’s website.

GREAT LAKES CLIMATE CORPS IS NOW HIRING 

The Great Lakes Climate Corps is now hiring for the summer season! They encourage you to apply before March 4th. Applications are considered in the order in which they are received. Apply here!

COASTAL RESTORATION TECHNICIAN POSITION IN ALPENA, MI 

The Coastal Restoration Technician will participate in implementing a variety of habitat restoration projects across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in Northeast Michigan with a focus on the unique habitats along Lake Huron’s coastline. Coastal Restoration Technicians will be completing tasks on behalf of the Huron Coastal Invasive Species Network (HCISN), a collaboration of local, state, and federal partners working together to address invasive species concerns across six counties. We are looking for motivated individuals who have a passion for the stewardship of our natural resources, will be strong team members, help problem solve, work efficiently and confidently without direct supervision, and maintain a high level of professionalism in field and office settings. To learn more about the position duties and how to apply to this position, visit this website.