Find a show you like and click the 
button. The show will be added to your My Playlist page and updated 24/7 with new videos.
Search Results
0 Views
23:22:38 12/14/11
Developer Ready To Move Forward On Liberty Town Square
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 23:22:38 12/14/11
Developer Ready To Move Forward On Liberty Town Square
Developers have big plans for a patch of trees and brush along Interstate 75 near the Liberty Way interchange. From: wlwttv Views: 4 0 ratings Time: 02:16 More in News & Politics
2 Views
23:22:38 12/14/11
Developer Ready To Move Forward On Liberty Town Square
[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 23:22:38 12/14/11
Developer Ready To Move Forward On Liberty Town Square
Developers have big plans for a patch of trees and brush along Interstate 75 near the Liberty Way interchange. From: wlwttv Views: 4 0 ratings Time: 02:16 More in News & Politics
1 Views
12:55:07 08/03/11
I Fanboy Episode #224 San Diego Comic Con 2011 Part 1
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 12:55:07 08/03/11
Strap in kids, because iFanboy have brought you a lot of San Diego Comic-Con, and unlike most of your bigger media outlets, we're talking to comics people, about comics. This is but part one of three, and we bring you up close and personal with the most talented and interesting names in comics. Mark Waid is a crafty veteran, and when Marvel needed someone to put a fresh spin on the shadowy and slightly mildewy Daredevil, he answered the call. Only one issue in, and he's already basking in critical and fan praise. Daredevil is fun, and it's about time. Over at BOOM! Studios, Mark celebrated his creator owned series, Irredeemable by releasing a great big Definitive Irredeemable in hardcover, oversized slipcase glory. Things are looking up for Cullen Bunn. Since we last spoke, his creator owned series, along with Brian Hurtt, The Sixth Gun has been commissioned for a six episode mini-series on SyFy. While that's big enough news, he's also been named the writer on Marvel's new origin series of graphic novels, in charge of Spider-Man Season One. And why not throw in an original graphic novel called The Tooth, about a giant sentient tooth. It's wacky time. You might know Chad Michael Murray from One Tree Hill, but soon Archaia will release his original comic book, Everlast, a post apocalyptic adventure on a grand scale. You want to know more? That will be here. Judd Winick is excited. He's excited to be able to talk to Conor about what's happening finally! Here's what we know: Catwoman is sexy, and Batwing is going to be one hell of a ride. Seriously, he's pretty amped about it all. Joshua Hale Fialkov is polite and considerate. Yet his work can be deeply troubling. His mini-series Echoes was recently released in hardcover, and no one would recommend you read it just before bed. He's also got a part in the new DC lineup with I, Vampire, which he tells us all about. Finally, he's got one issue to convince you to love The Test in this year's Top Cow Pilot Season. Scott Snyder has come a long way in not much time, and he couldn't be more enthusiastic about his assignments. Moving on from Detective Comics, he's taking the reins of Batman along with Greg Capullo, and he'll let us know what to expect there. Then there's Swamp Thing coming up, which he's loving as well. Finally, over at Image, he's got a creator owned mini-series called Severed, about a creepy hobo. OK, it's more than that, but either way, it sounds fantastic. He's back! It's Brian K. Vaughan, and early next year we'll see the start of his first new series in years! Joining him on the show, and in creating Saga from Image, is wonderful artist Fiona Staples. There's not a lot to know yet, but if you've read a whole Vaughan series in the past, you know this is going to be great. Come back next week for more from San Diego!
26 Views
01:16:05 02/23/11
Is Bureaucracy Stifling the Local Food Movement?
[LESS INFO] 26 VIEWS | ADDED 01:16:05 02/23/11
Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2010/11/24/Joel_Salatin_War_Stories_from_the_Local_Food_Front
Author and farmer Joel Salatin argues that the bureaucracy of current food safety regulations effectively favor large-scale agribusiness at the expense of innovative small farms and artisan food producers.
-----
American farmer Joel Salatin, the star of the documentary Food Inc, has become a "pin up boy" for the growing food "re-localization" movement. On a recent visit to Canberra, he gives his take on food politics after a lifetime of experience in natural and profitable farming.
Salatin came to prominence with his ideas about creating abundance on a family farm. His methods include learning how to mimic nature and arrange the facets of farm life so they don't operate as independent operations, but rather a system of "intertwined cycles."
Disregarding conventional wisdom, the Salatins planted trees, built huge compost piles, dug ponds, moved cows daily with portable electric fencing, and utilized portable sheltering systems to produce all their animals on perennial prairie polycultures.
Salatin believes we
3 Views
16:57:27 02/07/11
Big Tree, Big Effort at Magic Kindgom Park
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 16:57:27 02/07/11
Big Tree, Big Effort at Magic Kindgom Park
Over three nights, Florida Imagineers and Buena Vista Construction Company (BVCC) used one of the largest mobile hydraulic cranes in the construction industry to move Magic Kingdom's 120-ton Winnie the Pooh tree 150 feet to make way for the impending Fantasyland expansion. The Herculean effort was more than a year in the making and a collective effort by the WDI project team to save the landmark tree and repurpose it to connect "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" to the expansion's new Fantasyland Forest. Read more at Disney Parks Blog: bit.ly From: DisneyParks Views: 1929 22 ratings Time: 01:38 More in Entertainment
2 Views
14:04:20 12/04/10
#ukslush
[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 14:04:20 12/04/10
What a difference a day makes in the land of the ice and snow.
Thursday morning I'd awoken at around 3:30 and noticed a light, if respectable, covering of snow everywhere. I knew that only the first two or three cars would make it out of the road and then it would turn into an icy skid-pan.
Sure enough, an urgent early morning carpet delivery to someone in the neighbourhood did the deed and managed to end up as a one van roadblock across the end of the street. It's long wheelbase majesty was eventually moved to the side after about an hour but had glazed the whole surface to the extent to make it impassable.
We decided to try out the new technology of grippy kevlar wheel socks(!) to see whether it would assist the escape. As my neighbour also had a set, we decided to try his first and to our joint pleasure his car then smoothly exited the street without misadventure.
I learned in the process that the video of the Norwegian girl with the brown leather boots and orange rubber gloves was somewhat misleading.
She'd put her socks on in about three minutes.
Twenty was closer to the truth.
But they did work. And work well.
Before embarking on my equivalent thirty minute mission, I decided to try the little green hatchback which has front wheel drive. I'd noticed that other similar small tyred vehicles seemed to be getting about whereas the Executive Saloons with Fat Tyres were spinning and slipping all over the place.
And yes, the Ka worked fine by just scraping the ice from it.
By the time I reached gritted and salted road surfaces it was also toasty warm inside. That evening I was back in the centre of London complete with Ka.
By Friday morning I was beginning to wonder what the fuss had been about. I looked out onto the busy roads and traffic was moving normally.
During the day I was in the centre and west of the centre and in both areas there's already large areas with pavements showing and roads which appear to function normally. Battersea Park still had a pretty look, with snow in the trees and the cycle tracks around there were somewhat icy.
My morning meeting was across in the clubby Pall Mall area. I chatted to the receptionist and mentioned the weather. "Yes, I miss the regular snow," she replied,"it's not like home."
Her home was Poland and she explained that the snow there was more predictable and created less chaos. The usual London comment about how such a small dusting could create such a big impact.
Then it was back to Sloane Square, where the arctic conditions being reported on the news were all too evident. Take a look at the above iPhone shot of the conditions probably at their peak - I even had to wait three minutes for a 137 bus.
Later in the day I had to drive out of the centre.
Still no real snow on the roads and maybe a centimetre or two along the edges.
On one hand we've been better at clearing it this time, but on another I'm wondering if there was really that much 'down south' compared with last January?
Still. It looks better on the weather maps to show a foot of snow around the capital, especially on a Friday.
...and here's conditions right now in London
3 Views
18:54:33 04/29/09
Earth Keeper Faith Leaders Bless First Of 12 000 Trees To Be Planted May 3
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 18:54:33 04/29/09
High Definition: EarthKeepers first high def video: Earth Day 2009 & The interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project: Faith leaders bless and plant the first of 12,000 trees across the Upper PeninsulaThe Earth Day 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project "Blessing of the Trees" ceremony was held next to the pavilion at Presque Isle, a popular Marquette, Michigan nature area - that is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. Faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce - the first of 12,000 trees to be planted across the Upper Peninsula on May 9 at over 100 churches and temples. (Photo by Greg Peterson)On Earth Day 2009 near the shores of Lake Superior, northern Michigan bishops and other faith leaders explain the connection between religion and protecting the environment to Marquette reporters including from two TV stations - WBUP/WBKP TV 5&10 and WLUC TV-6 - and two newspapers - the Mining Journal in Marquette and the U.P. Catholic. (Photo by Greg Peterson)(Marquette, Michigan) - Despite a major snowstorm a day earlier, bishops and leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.With a cold wind blowing and icy waves of Lake Superior crashing in the background, the Earth Day 2009 late afternoon blessing of the trees ceremony was held on Presque Isle - that is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake on the planet.The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, however several weeks of mild weather ensured the ground was not frozen.Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.Superior Watershed Project Executive Director Carl Lindquist explains how his nonprofit organization has handled some of the technical aspects of the many EarthKeeper projects since 2004. The EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder, Lindquist said EarthKeeping ideas are spreading to other communities. (Photo by Greg Peterson) The concept of "EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula" because throughout the Great Lakes states "we're having a ripple effect" as people and groups "are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "They are patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here."Leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities gathered in the Presque Isle Pavilion to speak to those gathered for the Earth Day 2009 event.EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson, the NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, talks about the effectiveness of faith communities to turn out volunteers for environment projects (Photo by Greg Peterson) "This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder."This is another step in our interfaith work," Magnuson said. "We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project."The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.Meanwhile, the next day Thurs., April 23, several EarthKeeper faith leaders spoke about the project and protecting the environment to students at Northern Michigan University.It was the final of numerous "Sacred Planet" events on campus sponsored by the NMU EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.NMU EK leaders Ben Sheelk, speaking above, and Sarah Swanson joined faith leaders for the Earth Day tree blessing, coordinated the Sacred Planet series, and the entire team will help plant the 12,000 trees.Singing, drums and guitar music were a big part of the final Sacred Planet lecture series at NMU.Those speaking at NMU were Dr. Michael Grossman of Jewish Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming; Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of the Zen Buddhist temple Lake Superior Zendo; Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator; and Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette. (Above photos by Greg Peterson)The faith leaders spoke to members of the Marquette media inside the Presque isle Pavilion just prior to the tree blessing ceremony.All humans "are called to be steward's of God's creation - and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures," said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample speaks to reporters prior to the tree blessing on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)"Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil," said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample, pictured center in front of the tree, holds a blue bible he used during the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)Holding an open bible, Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations "speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water."Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and "didn't see a lot of water" or the "beauty of the forests and trees."Sample said "I truly thought I had entered paradise" when he moved with his family to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of Marquette speaks to the media, above, on Earth Day 2009 and a short time later leads a blessing outside, below, for the first of 12,000 trees that the interfaith EarthKeepers will plant across northern Michigan on May 3. (Photos by Greg Peterson)"This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula - this great watershed and it's wonderful combination of lakes and streams - and forests everywhere," said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes."Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth," said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.The Earth Keeper's ten faith communities have "various ways of doing things and looking at life" but "come together for this important task," said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb.United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb told the media that the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planting thousands of gifts for the next generation. (Photos by Greg Peterson) "We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers," said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations."Planting a tree is a gift for the next generation and the generation beyond that," Lobb said. "We are going to be giving thousands of gifts for the generations to come."Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, is pictured above talking about the environment and the Zen Buddhist faith.The head priest for the Lake Superior Zendo temple in Marquette, Lehmberg is pictured below adding soil to the base of the tree, and blessing the tree with folded hands. (Photos by Greg Peterson) The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said "the trees - in effect - will be planting us.""We consider ourselfs very fortunate to be participating with EarthKeepers - if we are going to accomplish anything we (all faiths) need to come together," said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.Baha'is believe that "nature is to be respected and protected as a divine trust for which we all answerable," said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette."How great it is to be in this beautiful community of Marquette in these very beautiful surroundings" and "celebrate together with our friends, colleagues and our co-religionists in our various faiths traditions" while "saving and celebrating of God's creation," Clarken said.There are about 40 Bah
0 Views
00:43:09 04/25/09
Earth Keeper Earth Day 2009 #2 Faith Leaders Prepare To Plant 12 000 Trees Across U P
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 00:43:09 04/25/09
Earth Day 2009 & The interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project: Faith leaders bless and plant the first of 12,000 trees across the Upper PeninsulaThe Earth Day 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project "Blessing of the Trees" ceremony was held next to the pavillion at Presque Isle, a popular Marquette, Michigan nature area - that is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. Faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce - the first of 12,000 trees to be planted across the Upper Peninsula on May 9 at over 100 churches and temples. (Photo by Greg Peterson)On Earth Day 2009 near the shores of Lake Superior, northern Michigan bishops and other faith leaders explain the connection between religion and protecting the environment to Marquette reporters including from two TV stations - WBUP/WBKP TV 5&10 and WLUC TV-6 - and two newspapers - the Mining Journal in Marquette and the U.P. Catholic. (Photo by Greg Peterson)(Marquette, Michigan) - Despite a major snowstorm a day earlier, bishops and leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.With a cold wind blowing and icy waves of Lake Superior crashing in the background, the Earth Day 2009 late afternoon blessing of the trees ceremony was held on Presque Isle - that is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake on the planet.The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, however several weeks of mild weather ensured the ground was not frozen.Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.Superior Watershed Project Executive Director Carl Lindquist explain how his nonprofit organizations has handled some of the technical aspects of the many EarthKeeper projects since 2004. The EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder, Lindquist said EarthKeeping ideas are spreading to other communities. (Photo by Greg Peterson) The concept of "EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula" because throughout the Great Lakes states "we're having a ripple effect" as people and groups "are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "They are patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here."Leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities gathered in the Presque Isle Pavillion to speak to those gathered for the Earth Day 2009 event.EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson, the NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, talks about the effectiveness of faith communities to turn out volunteers for environment projects (Photo by Greg Peterson) "This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder."This is another step in our interfaith work," Magnuson said. "We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project."The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.Meanwhile, the next day Thurs., April 23, several EarthKeeper faith leaders spoke about the project and protecting the environment to students at Northern Michigan University.It was the final of numerous "Sacred Planet" events on campus sponsored by the NMU EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.NMU EK leaders Ben Sheelk, speaking above, and Sarah Swanson joined faith leaders for the Earth Day tree blessing, coordinated the Sacred Planet series, and the entire team will help plant the 12,000 trees.Singing, drums and guitar music were a big part of the final Sacred Planet lecture series at NMU.Those speaking at NMU were Dr. Michael Grossman of Jewish Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming; Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of the Zen Buddhist temple Lake Superior Zendo; Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator; and Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette. (Above photos by Greg Peterson)The faith leaders spoke to members of the Marquette media inside the Presque isle Pavillion just prior to the tree blessing ceremony.All humans "are called to be steward's of God's creation - and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures," said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample speaks to reporters prior to the tree blessing on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)"Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil," said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample, pictured center in front of the tree, holds a blue bible he used during the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)Holding an open bible, Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations "speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water."Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and "didn't see a lot of water" or the "beauty of the forests and trees."Sample said "I truly thought I had entered paradise" when he moved with his family to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of Marquette speaks to the media, above, on Earth Day 2009 and a short time later leads a blessing outside, below, for the first of 12,000 trees that the interfaith EarthKeepers will plant across northern Michigan on May 3. (Photos by Greg Peterson)"This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula - this great watershed and it's wonderful combination of lakes and streams - and forests everywhere," said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes."Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth," said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.The Earth Keeper's ten faith communities have "various ways of doing things and looking at life" but "come together for this important task," said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb.United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb told the media that the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planting thousands of gifts for the next generation. (Photos by Greg Peterson) "We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers," said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations."Planting a tree is a gift for the next generation and the generation beyond that," Lobb said. "We are going to be giving thousands of gifts for the generations to come."Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, is pictured above talking about the environment and the Zen Buddhist faith.The head priest for the Lake Superior Zendo temple in Marquette, Lehmberg is pictured below adding soil to the base of the tree, and blessing the tree with folded hands. (Photos by Greg Peterson) The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said "the trees - in effect - will be planting us.""We consider ourselfs very fortunate to be participating with EarthKeepers - if we are going to accomplish anything we (all faiths) need to come together," said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.Baha'is believe that "nature is to be respected and protected as a divine trust for which we all answerable," said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette."How great it is to be in this beautiful community of Marquette in these very beautiful surroundings" and "celebrate together with our friends, colleagues and our co-religionists in our various faiths traditions" while "saving and celebrating of God's creation," Clarken said.There are about 40 Bah
2 Views
23:37:47 04/24/09
Earth Keeper Earth Day 2009 #1 Northern Michigan Faith Leaders Bless Plant First Of 12 000 Trees
[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 23:37:47 04/24/09
Earth Day 2009 & The interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Tree Project: Faith leaders bless and plant the first of 12,000 trees across the Upper PeninsulaThe Earth Day 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project "Blessing of the Trees" ceremony was held next to the pavillion at Presque Isle, a popular Marquette, Michigan nature area - that is surrounded on three sides by Lake Superior. Faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce - the first of 12,000 trees to be planted across the Upper Peninsula on May 9 at over 100 churches and temples. (Photo by Greg Peterson)On Earth Day 2009 near the shores of Lake Superior, northern Michigan bishops and other faith leaders explain the connection between religion and protecting the environment to Marquette reporters including from two TV stations - WBUP/WBKP TV 5&10 and WLUC TV-6 - and two newspapers - the Mining Journal in Marquette and the U.P. Catholic. (Photo by Greg Peterson)(Marquette, Michigan) - Despite a major snowstorm a day earlier, bishops and leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities planted the first of 12,000 trees during an Earth Day ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior.Standing on a hillside surrounded by huge pine trees two bishops and several other faith leaders blessed a three-foot native species white spruce tree and took turns putting shovels full of dirt into the hole.With a cold wind blowing and icy waves of Lake Superior crashing in the background, the Earth Day 2009 late afternoon blessing of the trees ceremony was held on Presque Isle - that is surrounded on three sides by the largest freshwater lake on the planet.The storm dumped up to 20 inches of snow in parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, however several weeks of mild weather ensured the ground was not frozen.Anticipating the cold April weather, organizers earlier decided to plant the rest of the trees on Sunday, May 3 when the weather is more appropriate for planting the 12,000 12-to-16-inch seedlings at numerous locations across northern Michigan including 100 churches and temples.Superior Watershed Project Executive Director Carl Lindquist explain how his nonprofit organizations has handled some of the technical aspects of the many EarthKeeper projects since 2004. The EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder, Lindquist said EarthKeeping ideas are spreading to other communities. (Photo by Greg Peterson) The concept of "EarthKeeping goes beyond the Upper Peninsula" because throughout the Great Lakes states "we're having a ripple effect" as people and groups "are replicating the work that the EarthKeepers have done here," said Carl Lindquist, SWP executive director. "They are patterning their events after some of the successful programs we have had here."Leaders from northern Michigan's largest faith communities gathered in the Presque Isle Pavillion to speak to those gathered for the Earth Day 2009 event.EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson, the NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry pastor, talks about the effectiveness of faith communities to turn out volunteers for environment projects (Photo by Greg Peterson) "This is very much a marvelous moment in the life of our work together as faith communities," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, CTI executive director and EarthKeeper Initiative co-founder."This is another step in our interfaith work," Magnuson said. "We have found an expression of our faith in very, very hands-on work like this the EarthKeeping Tree Project."The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers) with over 150 participating churches/temples, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute (CTI), and the NMU EK Student Team.Meanwhile, the next day Thurs., April 23, several EarthKeeper faith leaders spoke about the project and protecting the environment to students at Northern Michigan University.It was the final of numerous "Sacred Planet" events on campus sponsored by the NMU EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.NMU EK leaders Ben Sheelk, speaking above, and Sarah Swanson joined faith leaders for the Earth Day tree blessing, coordinated the Sacred Planet series, and the entire team will help plant the 12,000 trees.Singing, drums and guitar music were a big part of the final Sacred Planet lecture series at NMU.Those speaking at NMU were Dr. Michael Grossman of Jewish Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming; Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, head priest of the Zen Buddhist temple Lake Superior Zendo; Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore, the project faith community communications coordinator; and Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette. (Above photos by Greg Peterson)The faith leaders spoke to members of the Marquette media inside the Presque isle Pavillion just prior to the tree blessing ceremony.All humans "are called to be steward's of God's creation - and no matter what faith tradition we come from that responsibility lies with us human creatures," said Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample speaks to reporters prior to the tree blessing on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)"Those of us endowed with intelligence and with the ability to choose good and avoid evil," said Bishop Sample, who oversees 94 U.P. parishes and missions with 61,000 members.Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette Bishop Alexander K. Sample, pictured center in front of the tree, holds a blue bible he used during the blessing of the trees on Earth Day 2009. (Photo by Greg Peterson)Holding an open bible, Bishop Sample said the book of Revelations "speaks of the life-giving power of water and how the tree draws its life from the water."Bishop Sample said he grew up in the desert southwest and "didn't see a lot of water" or the "beauty of the forests and trees."Sample said "I truly thought I had entered paradise" when he moved with his family to the Upper Peninsula at the age of 17.Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of Marquette speaks to the media, above, on Earth Day 2009 and a short time later leads a blessing outside, below, for the first of 12,000 trees that the interfaith EarthKeepers will plant across northern Michigan on May 3. (Photos by Greg Peterson)"This whole movement has focused on how the faith communities can work together to preserve this great gift that we have here in the Upper Peninsula - this great watershed and it's wonderful combination of lakes and streams - and forests everywhere," said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes."Trees cover the earth and trees are part of healing the earth," said Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.The Earth Keeper's ten faith communities have "various ways of doing things and looking at life" but "come together for this important task," said United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb.United Methodist Church (UMC) Marquette District Superintendent Grant R. Lobb told the media that the EarthKeeper Tree Project will be planting thousands of gifts for the next generation. (Photos by Greg Peterson) "We are glad to be part of EarthKeepers," said Lobb, whose district has 8,372 parishioners and 60 northern Michigan congregations."Planting a tree is a gift for the next generation and the generation beyond that," Lobb said. "We are going to be giving thousands of gifts for the generations to come."Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, is pictured above talking about the environment and the Zen Buddhist faith.The head priest for the Lake Superior Zendo temple in Marquette, Lehmberg is pictured below adding soil to the base of the tree, and blessing the tree with folded hands. (Photos by Greg Peterson) The head priest for Lake Superior Zendo, a Marquette Zen Buddhist Temple, said "the trees - in effect - will be planting us.""We consider ourselfs very fortunate to be participating with EarthKeepers - if we are going to accomplish anything we (all faiths) need to come together," said Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair.Baha'is believe that "nature is to be respected and protected as a divine trust for which we all answerable," said Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Marquette."How great it is to be in this beautiful community of Marquette in these very beautiful surroundings" and "celebrate together with our friends, colleagues and our co-religionists in our various faiths traditions" while "saving and celebrating of God's creation," Clarken said.There are about 40 Bah
11 Views
17:00:35 01/23/08
TERRA 412: Higher Ground PART ONE
[LESS INFO] 11 VIEWS | ADDED 17:00:35 01/23/08
The Florida coast line is constantly shifting. Natural processes move the sand back and forth, north and south and occasionally a big storm removes it altogether. Of course unnatural processes are also affecting the beaches of the area. Huge sky scrapers, miles of beach front condos and the constant pressure of holiday makers on the beach. All these factors are playing their part on the ecosystem and the animals within it. Watch "Higher Ground" to find out where we're going wrong and what we can do about it. [ www.lifeonterra.com ] SPECIAL FEATURES / DETAILED EPISODE INFORMATION / TERRAPHILES COMMUNITY
11 Views
16:59:30 01/23/08
TERRA 412: Higher Ground PREVIEW
[LESS INFO] 11 VIEWS | ADDED 16:59:30 01/23/08
The Florida coast line is constantly shifting. Natural processes move the sand back and forth, north and south and occasionally a big storm removes it altogether. Of course unnatural processes are also affecting the beaches of the area. Huge sky scrapers, miles of beach front condos and the constant pressure of holiday makers on the beach. All these factors are playing their part on the ecosystem and the animals within it. Watch "Higher Ground" to find out where we're going wrong and what we can do about it. [ www.lifeonterra.com ] SPECIAL FEATURES / DETAILED EPISODE INFORMATION / TERRAPHILES COMMUNITY
0 Views
05:27:07 01/02/08
Worship New
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 05:27:07 01/02/08
SONSOFDAY WORSHIP sounds like 4Him - Psalm 112 4Him - Walk On 33Miles - What Could Be Better Aaron Shust - Give It All Away Aaron Shust - My Savior, My God Anthony Evans - Letting Go Audio Adrenaline - Leaving 99 Avalon - Testify To Love Bebo Norman - Falling Down Big Daddy Weave - Every Time I Breathe Big Daddy Weave - Set Me Free Building 429 - No One Else Knows By The Tree - Beautiful One Casting Crowns - Does Anybody Hear Her? Casting Crowns - Lifesong Chris Rice - The Other Side of the Radio Chris Tomlin - Made To Worship David Crowder Band - Wholly Yours dc Talk - Between You And Me dc Talk - Colored People dc Talk - Consume Me dc Talk - Jesus Freak dc Talk - Jesus Is Just Alright dc Talk - My Friend (So Long) dc Talk - My Will dc Talk - Say The Words Delirious? - I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Echoing Angels - You Alone FFH - You Found Me Hawk Nelson - Everything You Ever Wanted Hyper Static Union - Chariot Hyper Static Union - Free Me Hyper Static Union - Praying for Sunny Days(Hot AC Radio Mix) Jars of Clay - Work Jeremy Camp - I Still Believe Jeremy Camp - This Man Jeremy Camp - What it Means John Reuben - Do Not John Waller - The Blessing Leeland - Yes You Have Lincoln Brewster - Everlasting God Mark Harris - For the First Time Matt Kearney - Nothing Left To Lose Matt Redman - You Never Let Go Matthew West - History Matthew West - Next Thing You Know MercyMe - In The Blink Of An Eye MercyMe - Undone Michael W. Smith - All in the Serve Michael W. Smith - For You Michael W. Smith - Here I Am Michael W. Smith - Live The Life Michael W. Smith - Place In This World Nevertheless - The Real Newsboys - I Am Free Newsboys - Something Beautiful Phillips, Craig & Dean - Your Name Pillar- Everything Plus One - God is in This Place Rush Of Fools - Undo Salvador - Heaven Salvador - Shine Sanctus Real - The Face of Love Selah - Bless The Broken Road Shane & Shane - Saved By Grace Skillet - The Last Night SONICFLOOd - I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Starfield - Everything Is Beautiful Starfield - Son of God Steven Curtis Chapman - Dive Steven Curtis Chapman - King Of The Jungle Steven Curtis Chapman - For the Sake of the Call Steven Curtis Chapman - The Great Adventure Switchfoot - I Dare You To Move Tait - Lose This Life The Fray - How To Save A Life The Katinas - One More Time Third Day - God Of Wonders Third Day - I Believe Third Day - Mountain of God Third Day - Tunnel This Beautiful Republic - Right Now tobyMac - Atmosphere tobyMac - Made To Love Timbaland Featuring OneRepublic Apologize
0 Views
05:17:10 01/02/08
Sonsofday (Worship)
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 05:17:10 01/02/08
SONSOFDAY WORSHIP ELGIN OREGON www.sonsofday.com www.myspace.com/sonsofday 4Him - Psalm 112 4Him - Walk On 33Miles - What Could Be Better Aaron Shust - Give It All Away Aaron Shust - My Savior, My God Anthony Evans - Letting Go Audio Adrenaline - Leaving 99 Avalon - Testify To Love Bebo Norman - Falling Down Big Daddy Weave - Every Time I Breathe Big Daddy Weave - Set Me Free Building 429 - No One Else Knows By The Tree - Beautiful One Casting Crowns - Does Anybody Hear Her? Casting Crowns - Lifesong Chris Rice - The Other Side of the Radio Chris Tomlin - Made To Worship David Crowder Band - Wholly Yours dc Talk - Between You And Me dc Talk - Colored People dc Talk - Consume Me dc Talk - Jesus Freak dc Talk - Jesus Is Just Alright dc Talk - My Friend (So Long) dc Talk - My Will dc Talk - Say The Words Delirious? - I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Echoing Angels - You Alone FFH - You Found Me Hawk Nelson - Everything You Ever Wanted Hyper Static Union - Chariot Hyper Static Union - Free Me Hyper Static Union - Praying for Sunny Days(Hot AC Radio Mix) Jars of Clay - Work Jeremy Camp - I Still Believe Jeremy Camp - This Man Jeremy Camp - What it Means John Reuben - Do Not John Waller - The Blessing Leeland - Yes You Have Lincoln Brewster - Everlasting God Mark Harris - For the First Time Matt Kearney - Nothing Left To Lose Matt Redman - You Never Let Go Matthew West - History Matthew West - Next Thing You Know MercyMe - In The Blink Of An Eye MercyMe - Undone Michael W. Smith - All in the Serve Michael W. Smith - For You Michael W. Smith - Here I Am Michael W. Smith - Live The Life Michael W. Smith - Place In This World Nevertheless - The Real Newsboys - I Am Free Newsboys - Something Beautiful Phillips, Craig & Dean - Your Name Pillar- Everything Plus One - God is in This Place Rush Of Fools - Undo Salvador - Heaven Salvador - Shine Sanctus Real - The Face of Love Selah - Bless The Broken Road Shane & Shane - Saved By Grace Skillet - The Last Night SONICFLOOd - I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Starfield - Everything Is Beautiful Starfield - Son of God Steven Curtis Chapman - Dive Steven Curtis Chapman - King Of The Jungle Steven Curtis Chapman - For the Sake of the Call Steven Curtis Chapman - The Great Adventure Switchfoot - I Dare You To Move Tait - Lose This Life The Fray - How To Save A Life The Katinas - One More Time Third Day - God Of Wonders Third Day - I Believe Third Day - Mountain of God Third Day - Tunnel This Beautiful Republic - Right Now tobyMac - Atmosphere tobyMac - Made To Love Timbaland Featuring OneRepublic Apologize Chris Brown Featuring T-Pain Kiss Kiss Soulja Boy Tell'em Crank That (Soulja Boy) Colbie Caillat Bubbly Alicia Keys No One Baby Bash Featuring T-Pain Cyclone Kanye West Stronger Britney Spears Gimme More matchbox twenty How Far We've Come Rihanna Featuring Ne-Yo Hate That I Love You Finger Eleven Paralyzer Wind-up Fergie Clumsy Kanye West Featuring T-Pain Good Life DJ Khaled Featuring T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross & Plies Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson The Way I Are Nickelback Rockstar Jordin Sparks Tattoo 50 Cent Featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland Ayo Technology Good Charlotte I Don't Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem) Santana Featuring Chad Kroeger Into The Night Britney Spears Piece Of Me Plies Featuring Akon Hypnotized Fergie Big Girls Don't Cry Wyclef Jean Featuring Akon, Lil Wayne & Niia Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) Daughtry Over You
0 Views
09:45:07 12/30/07
Sons Of Day
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 09:45:07 12/30/07
this place music video www.sonsofday.com www.myspace.com/sonsofday 4Him - Psalm 112 4Him - Walk On 33Miles - What Could Be Better Aaron Shust - Give It All Away Aaron Shust - My Savior, My God Anthony Evans - Letting Go Audio Adrenaline - Leaving 99 Avalon - Testify To Love Bebo Norman - Falling Down Big Daddy Weave - Every Time I Breathe Big Daddy Weave - Set Me Free Building 429 - No One Else Knows By The Tree - Beautiful One Casting Crowns - Does Anybody Hear Her? Casting Crowns - Lifesong Chris Rice - The Other Side of the Radio Chris Tomlin - Made To Worship David Crowder Band - Wholly Yours dc Talk - Between You And Me dc Talk - Colored People dc Talk - Consume Me dc Talk - Jesus Freak dc Talk - Jesus Is Just Alright dc Talk - My Friend (So Long) dc Talk - My Will dc Talk - Say The Words Delirious? - I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Echoing Angels - You Alone FFH - You Found Me Hawk Nelson - Everything You Ever Wanted Hyper Static Union - Chariot Hyper Static Union - Free Me Hyper Static Union - Praying for Sunny Days(Hot AC Radio Mix) Jars of Clay - Work Jeremy Camp - I Still Believe Jeremy Camp - This Man Jeremy Camp - What it Means John Reuben - Do Not John Waller - The Blessing Leeland - Yes You Have Lincoln Brewster - Everlasting God Mark Harris - For the First Time Matt Kearney - Nothing Left To Lose Matt Redman - You Never Let Go Matthew West - History Matthew West - Next Thing You Know MercyMe - In The Blink Of An Eye MercyMe - Undone Michael W. Smith - All in the Serve Michael W. Smith - For You Michael W. Smith - Here I Am Michael W. Smith - Live The Life Michael W. Smith - Place In This World Nevertheless - The Real Newsboys - I Am Free Newsboys - Something Beautiful Phillips, Craig & Dean - Your Name Pillar- Everything Plus One - God is in This Place Rush Of Fools - Undo Salvador - Heaven Salvador - Shine Sanctus Real - The Face of Love Selah - Bless The Broken Road Shane & Shane - Saved By Grace Skillet - The Last Night SONICFLOOd - I Could Sing of Your Love Forever Starfield - Everything Is Beautiful Starfield - Son of God Steven Curtis Chapman - Dive Steven Curtis Chapman - King Of The Jungle Steven Curtis Chapman - For the Sake of the Call Steven Curtis Chapman - The Great Adventure Switchfoot - I Dare You To Move Tait - Lose This Life The Fray - How To Save A Life The Katinas - One More Time Third Day - God Of Wonders Third Day - I Believe Third Day - Mountain of God Third Day - Tunnel This Beautiful Republic - Right Now tobyMac - Atmosphere tobyMac - Made To Love Timbaland Featuring OneRepublic Apologize Chris Brown Featuring T-Pain Kiss Kiss Soulja Boy Tell'em Crank That (Soulja Boy) Colbie Caillat Bubbly Alicia Keys No One Baby Bash Featuring T-Pain Cyclone Kanye West Stronger Britney Spears Gimme More matchbox twenty How Far We've Come Rihanna Featuring Ne-Yo Hate That I Love You Finger Eleven Paralyzer Wind-up Fergie Clumsy Kanye West Featuring T-Pain Good Life DJ Khaled Featuring T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross & Plies Timbaland Featuring Keri Hilson The Way I Are Nickelback Rockstar Jordin Sparks Tattoo 50 Cent Featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland Ayo Technology Good Charlotte I Don't Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem) Santana Featuring Chad Kroeger Into The Night Britney Spears Piece Of Me Plies Featuring Akon Hypnotized Fergie Big Girls Don't Cry Wyclef Jean Featuring Akon, Lil Wayne & Niia Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) Daughtry Over You
1 Views
00:10:01 10/28/07
Nmu Ek Students Want University To "Do The Right Thing" Save Enviro Research Project
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 00:10:01 10/28/07
NMU President meets for an hour with students trying to save environment research project; Dr. Les Wong given ongoing petition with nearly 900 signatures to stop Native Plants Project from being uprooted to build dormsDr. Wong impressed with students knowledge, preparation: NMU is "producing young scholars who want us to do the right thing"Students to explain effort to save the Native Plants Project at Lake Superior environment conference(Marquette, Michigan) - Students presented an ongoing petition with nearly 900 signatures to Northern Michigan University President Les Wong during a one-hour meeting today and left his offices with renewed hope to save an environment research project from being uprooted to build dorms. The Native Plants Project will be destroyed to build dorms if the proposed NMU Master Plan is not changed. NMU student Michael Rotter, a senior biology major spearheading the petition drive, and representatives of three other student environment organizations attended the meeting with NMU President Les Wong that lasted about an hour on Thursday (Oct. 25, 2007). NMU Student Michael Rotter is leading the fight to protect the Native Plants Project that has involved the blood, sweat and tears of hundreds of students"I found the meeting encouraging," said Rotter, adding the students presented Dr. Wong with petitions signed by nearly 900 NMU students who hope to save the Native Plants Project from being destroyed to build dorms. Five students met with Dr. Wong including Amber Masters, social chair for the Environmental Science Organization; Cory Howes, president of the Students Against Sulfide Mining; Eric Miller, president of the Superior Geography Club; and NMU senior Emily Wessels, an NMU senior and environmental science major. "Dr. Wong seemed very supportive and open to our opinions - but no promises were made," said Rotter, a member of the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team. "We showed him maps of the area and we talked to him about future ideas for the study area," Rotter said. The five-acre Native Plants Project is located on the northside of the Northern Michigan University campus. (NMU Native Plant Project Photos by Professor Dr. Ronald Sundell)NMU President Wong has stressed the master plan is a proposal and a final decision has not been made. Dr. Wong said he "was thoroughly impressed with the students' knowledge and preparation." "Their ideas have merit and their proactive manner in helping me think through the issues was deeply appreciated," Dr. Wong said. "I'm proud of the role NMU played not only in their education but in producing young scholars who want us to do the right thing." "I look forward to future meetings with them," Dr. Wong said. Students are learning a great deal about the environment as the work inside and out on the Native Plants Project at NMU Dr. Wong was presented with future plans for the Native Plants Project including planting white pine and red oak trees to protect students from bitter winter weather in an area of the five acre Native Plants Project that Rotter described as "a wind tunnel that channels the wind through the buildings." "He really liked some of ours ideas to reduce the winds in the area during the winter and to rearrange the sidewalks for students to have better access to classes and other areas of campus," Rotter said. Rotter said some of the white pine trees will be 10-feet tall when planted so there is an immediate effect that will provide increasing protection with the growth of branches. Northern Michigan University students are trying to save their four-year-old Native Plants project that will be a valuable seed tool for other northern Michigan environment efforts and help attract students to the campus along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula if its not destroyed to make dorms "Dr. Wong gave us some advice on who we can talk to in the administration about keeping out native plants study area intact," Rotter said. "Dr. Wong was very open and very inviting to our ideas on the native plants area," Rotter said. "He could not guarantee us anything but it was very encouraging none-the-less." Rotter said the students were given information on how to be put on the agenda of the December NMU Board of Trustees meeting to make a presentation about the native plants. The students will continue the petition drive and other efforts to spare the Native Plants Project from being uprooted. "Our next step is to continue to meet with members of administration and talk to the Board of Trustees and to continue collecting signatures on our petitions," Rotter said. Students have gathered about 900 signatures in an attempt to stop NMU from removing the Native Plants Project that has received $24,000 in state and federal funding, said Rotter, who spent many hours protecting the plants from this summer’s drought and is spearheading the petition drive with help from other students. Thousands of students hours have gone into making the project a success and it includes The project includes field sampling of vegetation, insects, birds, small mammals, and is expected to attract reptiles and amphibiansNMU President Wong said that "there is no clear consensus on the location of the residence halls and there is considerable opinion that any structure that impinges on the Native Plant Project would not have campus-wide support." If the native plants project is taken off the chopping block, President Wong and other members of the NMU administration will prove the university is sincere when it uses the slogan "Northern Naturally" to promote the campus, Rotter said. The native plants outdoor classroom will include a northern open pine barrens, a retention pond/wetland area, upland mesic forest and shrub types representing various northern Michigan habitats. The project has attracted insects, birds, and small mammals and is expected to attract amphibians and reptiles. Over the past four years, hundreds of NMU students have worked hard to build the Native Plants Project that will soon become a beautiful part of campus if it's not destroyed by NMU dorm plannersThe outdoor classroom is used to study ecological modeling, plant identification, native plant propagation, restoration techniques and water quality. Dr. Sundell said that campus planners have other areas to build dorms instead of destroying the native plants area. "We understand the work that has gone into the planting project, and that some of the plants may not do well if moved," said Dr. Wong, who has toured the project. "We want feedback on the big ideas." Rotter is receiving support from student organizations including the NMU Environmental Science Organization, Superior Geography Club, Sustainable Agriculture club, and the Students Against Sulfide Mining. Native plants help keep waterways clean, build habitat for animals and other organisms, Rotter said. The student founders of the project hope to be able to show to their children what they helped start. "I have always told my students that the project they started is part of a long term green-scaping of the campus," Sundell said. "The university has started an environmental sustainability committee to make our campus greener and address other issues like reducing our energy requirements, and less pesticide and fertilizer use." Beautiful flowers are part of the project that is coming of age and will soon have many flowering plants in brilliant colors"Our Native Plants Project is a prime example to the university committee and the general community on how to develop more sustainable systems on campus and the U.P.," Sundell said. "In the plan they state this a would be a green corridor - this is already a green corridor," Sundell said. "If they carry through with the plan they have a building that would block that green corridor. "The native plants are part of a current green corridor that stretches north from classrooms in the new science building to the existing dorms," Sundell said. Hundreds of students from the student environmental science organization and NMU classes have assisted in development of the Native Plants Project site, Sundell said. NMU students who have helped Professor Sundell develop and manage the Native Plant Project over the past four years are Mike Stefancic, Jason Woodhull and Michael Rotter. The three students each spent a summer managing the native plants including planting, maintaining and developing of the site Sundell said. This map shows the five acre project at NMU that is growing each year but now faces destruction to make way for dorms and other student housing.Despite the worst drought in U.P. history the student volunteers added about 11,000 native plants to the project this summer, Sundell said. "This Native Plants Project is valuable as an educational and research site and a native seed bank for future environmental restoration project in the central U.P.," said Sundell. "As the project moves forward NMU will become a major seed source for environmental restoration projects in the central U.P." The Native Plants Project is coming of age and will add beauty to the campus including flowering plants and grasses in various shades of white, yellow, pink and purple, Sundell said. NMU students put loving care into the five-acre Native Plants Project on the north side of campus (NMU Native Plant Project Photos by Professor Dr. Ronald Sundell)Student Michael Rotter can be reached by calling 231-250-3061 email: mrotter@nmu.eduThe NMU EK Student team can be reached by calling 906-475-5068 email: earthkeeper@charter.netProject Prof. Dr. Ronald Sundell can be reached at 906-227-1359 email: rsundell@nmu.edu
1 Views
04:49:27 06/17/07
2007 Earth Keeper Energy Summit Inspires Hundreds To Reduce Power Consumption
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 04:49:27 06/17/07
(Marquette, Michigan) - Business owners, clergy and homeowners from across northern Michigan were given numerous tips on reducing their utility bills during the 2007 Earth Keeper Energy Summit including the latest on an upcoming vote in the state legislature that would send wind-generated electricity to all residents.About 100 people attended the day-long conference on Wednesday June 13, 2007 in Marquete, Michigan sponsored by the Superior Watershed Partnership in cooperation with the Cedar Tree Institute. The Marquette-based non-profits founded the Earth Keeper Initiative in 2004.Most of those attending said they plan to join nearly 500 northern Michigan businesses, churches, temples and homes that recently began cutting energy costs and are expected to save millions of dollars in power and water costs over the next three years as part of the new Earth Keeper conservation project, according to Carl Lindquist, executive director of the Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette.The Earth Keeper Initiative has numerous ongoing environmental projects including the annual Earth Day clean sweeps across northern Michigan that have collected about 370 tons of household hazardous waste for recycling or proper disposal. The Earth Keepers have 140 participating churches/temples and a volunteer army of over 400 people."We are taking all the energy of the Earth Keepers across the Upper Peninsula and we are focusing that energy on energy conservation and climate change because that is where it all starts," Lindquist told participantsTwo senior members of the Sharon Lutheran Church council in Bessemer drove the three hours to Marquette to attend the energy summit to take home ideas on reducing water and power bills in the 75-year-old church while protecting the planet."We need an energy audit - we've looked for a long time for someone who does this and we haven't found anyone," said Arline Waurio of Bessemer, who also plans to have an energy audit of an 80-acre family farm that she manages. "I am on a limited budget - however I can save energy I will do it."Retired teacher Betsy Slabaugh of Bessemer said "just conserving the earth's resources is so important - I have an awareness about saving the earth's resources and I try to pass that on to everybody."Four churches and one parish house in the western U.P. spend about $50,000 a year on energy, a bill the pastor wants to reduce."I believe it's very important for our congregations to take a leading role in the whole awareness of environmental issues and consequences," said Pastor Francis Strong, a pastor at Christ Lutheran Parish - a group of four churches in Ironwood. "I am looking for ways for our churches to save money by being more efficient."The one-year-old Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team spread the word about the energy summit around campus and that attracted several current and former students."I am into alternative energies and I am interested in how people are using their alternative energies in the Upper Peninsula," said Birmingham, MI native Jennifer Riley, 23, who recently graduated from Northern Michigan University with a major in environmental conservation."We use so much energy with the way we live, and with global warming - it's terrible - and informing the public is the first step," said Riley who took classes in solar and wind power.One of the most popular exhibits demonstrated various types of energy saving lightbulbs. The first 35 people at the conference were given compact florescent lightbulbs.Participants heard from several groups that do no-cost and low-cost energy audits including Michigan Interfaith Power and Light. "Dollars saved on energy" can be spent on humanitarian projects or prevent important programs from being cut.Energy conservation saves money "that can be directed for feeding the hungry, paying just salaries and advancing your mission," said Father Charles Morris, director of Michigan Interfaith Power and Light.The energy audits can have a big impact on the strained budgets of some of Michigan's oldest and biggest churches.Congregations in inner cities, and rural areas, inhabit the oldest and most energy inefficient buildings yet they serve the areas of greatest human need and have the fewest resources coming in - it's a triple whammy," said Rev. Morris, who has wind turbines that power part of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and solar water heaters at his home in Wyandotte, MISchools, government buildings, and businesses can save energy and money by watching "the more mundane things" and using preventative maintenance check lists. "Some of the best things you can do is just keeping system operating efficiently - the savings really multiply fast when you just keep things operating up to snuff - like keeping thermostats set right keep boilers tuned up," said Kevin Cook of Rebuild Michigan.The president of an Upper Peninsula company in a wind power partnership encouraged participants to ask their legislators to support the Michigan Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)."The (RPS) would require utilities across Michigan to buy power and diversify the way we make and use power in this country - 23 states already have that law and Michigan does not," said Rich VanderVeen, president of Mackinaw Power."This bill would give the authority to the Michigan Public Service Commission to require the utilities to move forward" on wind power and level the playing field for independent power producers, VanderVeen said.The Michigan House Energy Committee is expected to vote on the RPS next Wednesday (June 20, 2007) and go before the entire House by the Fourth of July, followed by senate action, VanderVeen said."I hope one of the outcomes of this energy summit is a united voice to Michigan legislators to support renewable energy," said VanderVeen, adding northern Michigan lawmakers understand wind power would have a "social, ecological and financial benefit to Marquette and the Upper Peninsula.VanderVeen said the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) has been supportive of wind energy but the idea has met resistance from the Detroit Edison and Consumers Energy power companies."The incumbent utilities in the lower Peninsula have opposed this - they don't like competition - they want to run the show themselves," said VanderVeen, although his company currently has a "pilot project" with Consumers Energy "that's not a very good deal for the independent power producers."The Mackinac City Wind Farm is owned by a partnership and has two wind turbines that have been operating since December 2001 that have "put out more than 15 million kilowatt hours" in electricity, VanderVeen said. "The wind turbines have operated 98 percent of the time."Michigan's only other wind turbine is owned by Traverse City Light and Power, he said.VanderVeen would like to see the three wind turbines in Michigan increased to 2,500 high-tech wind turbines built in areas that are windy and close to the power grid."The power goes right on the grid, so everyone in Michigan gets a little bit of that," through an agreement with Consumer's Energy and the International Grid Company," VanderVeen said."We are putting out good clean power with no emissions," VanderVeen said."The U.S. Department of Energy thinks we could put out as much as 5,000 megawatts of wind power and that would be enough for 250,000 homes and it would offset three tons of coal per home," VanderVeen said.Participants heard details about a federally funded program in Michigan that provides tips and resources on energy conservation for new construction projects, energy assessments for homeowners and valuable help for low-income residents."We received a grant to replace 115 furnaces in Michigan," said T.J. Brown, project coordinator for Northern Options in Marquette, one of eight non-profit energy demonstration centers across Michigan that receive federal funds through the state."This is the third year of the program and in the U.P. we have 30 furnaces that are being replaced - we get our referrals through the Salvation Army, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and community action agencies," Brown said, adding they give no-charge workshops on weather-proofing, energy conservation, and other topics to schools, churches and civic clubs.The bishops/leaders of nine faith traditions signed the Earth Keeper Covenant in 2004 pledging to actively protect the environment and reach out to American Indian tribes."This conference today is like a flower that has bloomed out of years of work," said Rev. Jon Magnuson, executive director of the Cedar Tree Institute and Earth Keeper Initiative co-founder. "We feel something very, very important is happening and we are a part of it."The Earth Keeper team has at least two members from each of nine faith traditions (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Jewish, and Zen Buddhist). The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is a sponsor of the annual Earth Keeper Clean Sweep.For more information contact the Superior Watershed Partnership at 906-228-6095 (or Earth Keeper volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson at 906-475-5068).The Superior Watershed Partnershiphttp://www.superiorwatersheds.orgThe Cedar Tree Institute:http://www.cedartreeinstitute.com/The Lake Superior Interfaith Communication Network:http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com/Earth Keeper TV:http://earthkeepers.blip.tv/Earth Keeper Energy Summit related websites:The Michigan Interfaith Power and Lighthttp://www.miipl.org/Great Watershttp://www.greatwaters.net/Wind Power website - Michigan projectshttp://www.awea.org/projects/michigan.htmlMackinaw Powerhttp://www.mackinawpower.com
