Events

Our Holy Hike for May, before the mosquitos arrive is Echo Lake! Located just a few miles outside of Marquette, Echo Lake Nature Preserve includes high bluffs of exposed granite bedrock, a mixed deciduous and conifer forest, wetlands, creeks, three high rock ponds and Echo Lake itself. Harlow Creek flows from its headwaters at Echo Lake, takes in water from Harlow Lake and empties into Lake Superior. Echo Lake is accessible by car but we will meet at Eagles Nest Rd parking lot off Hwy 550. For more information and to reserve your spot please email lanni@upwild.org.

Express your creativity at our Rock Painting activity on the shores of Lake Superior. What better location then where many "paint the rocks" in the water. All ages and stages are welcome. We will provide some rocks and paint but we encourage you to BYOB: Bring your own brush and/or other materials for the more crafty artist. Our rocks can be put in our gardens, along our own nature paths and our U.P. Wild crew will be making some to put in public spaces. Petroglyphs, Pictographs, and Rock Art is the most ancient form of expression long before writing. We will share some stories of thousand year old Native American pictographs that can be still seen across Lake Superior.TO RSVP: email lanni@upwild.org.
Donations $5-10 are appreciated to cover material costs.

There are some picnic tables in the Shiras Park area but please bring a folding chair or beach blanket to sit on.

The Tyoga Historical Pathway located in Deerton, MI is a remote 1.4-mile loop trail deep in the woods of northern Michigan. The loop takes you around the remains of an old logging town, where workers from the Tyoga Lumber Company lived between 1905 and 1907. Interpretive signs with photographs relate some colorful and personal tales of the people who once lived here. Three million board feet of timber had been cut and sawmill and town were set up to process the lumber. We will reflect on our stewardship of trees, how they communicate, and our relationship with our bioregion. Mosquito net suits are highly recommended. RSVP for directions/info email lanni@upwild.org.

Seed Saving for the Practical Gardener: Seed saving helps gardeners have access to the seeds they want to plant and grow – and this practice is an opportunity to delve deeper into the world of plants. In this virtual session, learn how to “read” your garden for seed saving, decide which kinds of seeds you’d like to save, and practice processing seeds for storage with a hands-on activity kit. We’ll also have time for Q&A on gardening and seed saving with seed savers from Queen City Seed Library. Abbey Palmer, Community Food Systems Educator from MSU Extension will facilitate. Spots are limited to 20 people and going fast! Reserve your spot by emailing lanni@upwild.org $10 donation required. Activity packets need to be mailed by June 21.

We will guide our little ones on a mini foraging adventure looking for 3-4 different plants that are native to our area and edible/medicinal. Kids will be given a little adventurer booklet to identify plants and mark which ones they find. We will be guided by a mother of 3 who is excited to share with others her love of and wonder for the plants we often overlook in our own backyard. How is the mystery of God in the seeds that take no effort to cultivate by human hands? Which Saints also loved our little finds? Donations of $10 appreciated to cover costs. Email lanni@upwild.org to register. Gathering @ Lakenenland.

Our nature prayer services take place EVERY LAST Sunday of each month beginning in July and are always located at Presque Isle. Easy to access with bathrooms available. We gather for an opening reflection on a revolving topic, a couple poems are read by our members, we offer prayers collectively, allow for solo time to explore nature and end in community discussion/snacks. THIS WILL BE a very special Hallow's Eve edition with Saints Lighting the Way - children can dress up as their favorite Saint and vegan healthy snacks for treats.