Cause Announcement from Protect Lake Superior

GRAND MARAIS – From an enticing turquoise to a sublime dark blue, Lake Superior has many faces that influence the land it borders and the people settled on its shores. But as the lake affects us, we're affecting the lake. That's the topic of the Lake Superior Binational Forum held in Grand Marais Sept. 11.

The forum will host speakers discussing environmental and economic issues related to Lake Superior, while gathering input from the public on what they think some of the problems are.

"We try to travel all around the lake, so we can learn about the important issues that are in that community, so we can tell that back to the governments that manage the lakeshores," said Lissa Radke of Ashland, Wis., coordinator of the Lake Superior Binational Forum.

Composed of Canadian and American members, the group aims to consult government, industry and "environmental stakeholders on the restoration and protection of Lake Superior," according to its Web site. Hosting public gatherings four times a year in Canada and the U.S., the forum gathers information on issues such as critical pollutants, sustainability

indicators, land use and invasive species. It also informs the public on issues related to Lake Superior.

Usually forums have themes, Radke said, and the Grand Marais meeting will deal with "Managing Lake Superior's Parks and Protected Areas."

"We heard they were investigating how climate change and user impact is affecting the Picture Rocks National Lakeshore," she said, adding that as a result they invited Gregg Bruff, chief of heritage education and outreach at the park to discuss global warming.

"We will talk about climate change and how people can minimize their carbon footprints," she said, adding that invasive species will also be on the list of topics. "There is a real big problem for rural areas with invasive species. We're trying to get information out to people on how we can prevent the spread in recreational areas."

Ron Sundell, a geography professor at Northern Michigan University, is the co-chairman of the eco-system committee for the forum. He has been a member of the Forum for the past six years, and he will be part of the Grand Marais meeting.

"It's not just about the environment but also the economic well-being," he said. "A lot of us live here because of the lake."

He added that people's input could impact how environmental policies governing Lake Superior will be set.

"Personally, I think everybody should attend because of the lake and eco-region that we're part of … we live in it and everything we do affects us and the lake," he said.

The public forum begins at 1 p.m. at the Community Center in Grand Marais. Besides Bruff, a presentation on the management of natural resources in the Hiawatha National Forest by Theresa Chase, district ranger; and a presentation on the management of natural resources on private land by the Nature Conservancy of the Upper Peninsula will be held. For more information, go to www.superiorforum.org/forum

Tyler Hamilton
Cause Creator

Posted via email from les O’fieldstream

Today is the 70th birthday of my good friend and esteemed colleague Dave Richey, of Traverse City, MI.

Dave has more awards – on the wall, table and in the outdoor writer awards books – than just about anyone else who has ever tackled the business as a full time – Outdoor Writer. His efforts have garnered him accolades and admiration from around the world of Outdoor Communications. But none of these acknowledgments mean as much to Dave as knowing the dozens of names – of current and past – outdoor writers whom he has had a hand in guiding.

Dave’s greatest level of success is found in the lives of the dozens of outdoor communicators whom he and his talented and charming wife, Kay, have helped; to nurture, tutor, hand-hold, guide, direct and at times, swift-kicked into action, over the last 45 years.

If you’ve ever read a Dave Richey story [newspaper, magazine, book or guide] send him a Happy Birthday email!

If you’ve ever fished for salmon or steelhead in a tributary of the Great Lakes, send him a ‘Thank You’ & ‘Happy BDay’ - for he and his late-brother George – got it all started many, many runs ago.

If you’ve ever read an Outdoor related newspaper or magazine article; watched on TV or listened on radio, to the reporting of an outdoor experience that inspired, instructed, cajoled, cooed or concerned you, send him a ‘Hearty Thank You’ and ‘Happy BDay’ email.

For Dave Richey is the reigning Mentor to Outdoor Writers and Communicators. Yes, you can find others with more books published, or greater celebrity status and far more money stuffed into bank accounts. But, only a mere handful of them, have any trace of the [Hu] in their resume. Dave’s is laden, brimming over, with the successes of professional and personal stories directed and guided by his influence.

Were it not for his tireless efforts on paper, with manufacturers, guides, state and federal agencies – whether at a conference, show or in-the-field, many of today’s successful and important Outdoor Communicators just wouldn’t be there. They wouldn’t even have a place to work.

We ALL owe this quiet, down-to-earth, practicing hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman and crafter of fine prose – a deep ‘Thank You!’ of sincere gratitude.

PLEASE, join me, along with hundreds of others in wishing Dave Richey a warm and pleasant,

“Happy 70th Birthday!”

I will thank you in advance. Because I know many of you will do so. That’s just the kind of folks outdoors people are.

O’fieldstream

[Hu] = Human Element

Posted via email from ofieldstream’s posterous