Campus Sustainability Updates - Feb. 9, 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!

MARQUETTE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT TREE SALE 

The Marquette County Conservation District has a selection of native trees, shrubs, and more available for order. It is recommended to order as soon as you know what you want, as there is a limited stock available. To learn more about the tree sale or order a tree, check out the MCCD website.

If you are interested in learning more about the Marquette County Conservation District (MCCD), their Annual Meeting is on Thursday, February 29th from 6PM-8PM at Barrel + Beam. There is the opportunity to meet with district board & staff, learn about the butterbur restoration project, and eat some great food. This is a FREE event! Let the MCCD know you’re coming by emailing mqtcondist@gmail.com

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS - COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ABOUT BATTERY RECYCLING

Informational meeting and discussion about how to improve battery recycling in our community with John Mallo and the League of Women Voters on Thursday, March 7 at 5:15 p.m. The meeting will be at the Crib Coffee House on Third Street.

ON-CAMPUS CLOTHING SWAP BINS 

You may have noticed our two clothing swap bins on campus! These bins are for anyone looking to donate gently used clothing and shoes. Clothing in these bins may be looked through by NMU students at any time. Clothing from these bins are also used in EcoReps clothing swaps! Any clothing leftover from these bins are donated to the Marquette Women's Shelter.