2024 Awards & Celebration

Purchase tickets below for the 35th Annual Environmentalist of the Year Celebration on Friday, April 19, 2024. 

It's always a special treat to be welcomed by the music of Sean and Jeremy Reisig, aka J Hobbs. David Milarch, Co-Founder of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, has an incredible story to tell - he will be our keynote speaker.

One of the best things about this event is reconnecting with friends in a nurturing setting. Being in a room with people so devoted to protecting our environment is the balm we could all use in these divisive times.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for socialization and heavy appetizers from Taproot Cider House. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. and features our award recipients with music by J Hobbs.

Explore 2023 Recipients

Online ticket sales are closed. Please come! $30 at the door.

About the Webinar

Michigan is at a pivotal juncture in the face of escalating climate impacts. The recent surge in climate-related events has shattered the illusion of immunity, underscoring the urgent need for action. Amidst this backdrop, Governor Whitmer's ambitious energy legislation has ignited a battleground, pitting forward-thinking environmentalists against the entrenched interests of fossil fuel companies and the MAGA allies doing its bidding.

This is not just a local issue; Michigan's fight is a microcosm of the global struggle against climate change. The decisions we make and the actions we take here have far-reaching implications for the planet's future.

To navigate these turbulent waters, we're hosting an essential webinar with Peter Sinclair, a renowned climate communicator and advocate. Peter has been at the forefront of climate education, using his expertise to demystify complex issues and mobilize action. In this webinar, he will guide us through the intricacies of Michigan's climate challenges and outline the critical steps we must take to address them.

Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, Michigan Sierra Club Clearwater Chapter, and For Love of Water present this look at the prevalence and threat of microplastics in the Great Lakes with Art Hirsch.

Enjoy this webinar recorded on January 25, 2023.

What Can You Do?

Art mentioned that the number one thing you can do to help with the problem of microplastics is to contact your legislator and ask them to act. Here are the legislators who have shown an interest - don't hesitate to contact them.

Michigan Representatives

• Representative Betsy Coffia  517-373-3817
• Representative Lorie Pohutsky 517-373-1530
• Representative Rachel Hood 517-373-1790
• Representative Jenn Hill 517-373-0498
• Representative David Martin 517-373-0826
• Representative David Prestin 517-373-0156
• Representative Josh Schriver 517-373-0839

Michigan Senators

• Senator McCann 517-373-5100
• Senator Sue Shink 517-373-2426
• Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet 517-373-1725
• Senator Sam Singh 517-373-3447
• Senator Polehanki 517-373-7350
• Senator Dan Lauwers 517-373-7708
• Senator John Damoose 517-373-2413
• Senator Jeff Irwin 517-373-3206
• Senator Rosemary Bayer 517-373-2417
• Senator Bumstead 517-373-1635
• Senator Hauck 517-371-1760
• Senator Rick Outman 517-373-3760

Watch the October 11, 2023, webinar featuring Peter Sinclair. He dives into the state's Clean Energy Future bills and the troubling resistance to moving clean energy forward in Michigan.

Over 100 people joined us on Zoom and participated in our live stream on April 20, 2022, from the Neahtawanta Center. Several NMEAC board members and award recipients joined us for a celebration.

See this year's recipients listed here.

See this year's nominees listed below.

Everyone is a winner in our book. Thank you for your support and participation.

VIDEO CHAPTERS

Hover over the video timeline to navigate the video, or watch on YouTube for easy navigation.

00:00 Welcome from Ann Rogers, NMEAC Chair
00:56 Sally Van Vleck and "Founding Mothers," Martha Phillips and Charlene Goral
04:22 Keynote: Kate Madigan, Director of Michigan Climate Action Network
24:49 Music from Victor McNanemy - "Lament of the Lakes"
34:32 Ann Rogers sets up the Awards
35:50 Jeremy Reisig introduces Nominees and Recipients
37:57 Environmentalist of the Year: Student - Katherine DePauw, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
39:52 Environmentalist of the Year: Educator - Cory Hanson, Greenspire School
42:43 Environmentalist of the Year: Grass Roots Group - Jannan Cornstalk, Water is Life Festival
46:24 Environmentalist of the Year: Journalism & Communications - Beth Wallace, National Wildlife Federation
48:49 Environmentalist of the Year: Business - Bob Sutherland, Cherry Republic
50:24 Environmentalist of the Year: Public Service Office - Kama Ross, Grand Traverse & Leelanau Conservation District
50:38 Environmentalist of the Year: Professional - Kelly Thayer, FLOW For The Love Of Water
55:16 Environmentalist of the Year: Volunteer - Madeline Baroli, Leelanau, Benzie, and Grand Traverse Conservation Districts
58:01 Environmentalist of the Year: Volunteer - Aubrey Ann Parker, Benzie Water Festival
59:55 Environmentalist of the Year: General - Rick Buckhalter
1:02:49 Environmentalist of the Year: Agriculture - Barry Krull, Krull's Composting (accepted by Christina Speaks)
1:07:55 John Nelson presents the John Nelson Watershed Steward Award - Tom Nelson, Leelanau Conservancy
1:10:11 Ann Rogers presents the special Litigator of the Year - Holly T. Bird
1:13:07 Susan Wheadon presents the Golden Beaver Award - Cathie Cline
1:15:51 John Nelson presents the Clarence Kroupa Lifetime Achievement Award - Dori Turner, Watervale Inn (accepted by Glen Chown)
1:21:36 Ann Rogers and David Petrove present the Golden Bulldozer Award - five of the Grand Traverse County Commissioners
1:24:08 Ann Rogers introduces Terri Reisig to give the inaugural Greg Reisig Prize for Environmental Journalism - Dave Dempsey, FLOW For Love Of Water
1:30:11 Farewell and a reading from Ann Rogers
1:32:00 Farewell from Jeremy Reisig as he performs "Love."

View the 2020-2021 EOY Recipients

Download your copy of the Program.

Nominees

2020/2021 EOY Nominees

Environmentalist of the Year - Student

Rapid City Elementary Students
Youth Water Council
Katerine DePauw - Great Lakes Water Studies Institue

Environmentalist of the Year - Educator

James Dake - Grass River Natural Area
Corey Hansen - The Greenspire School
Joe Kreider - SEEDS
Boone Scharp - Kingsley High School
Amanda Scott - Youth Work Conservation Corps
Emily Umbarger - Interlochen Center for the Arts
Kimmee Wenkel - COGNiTiON Science & Discovery Center

Environmentalist of the Year - Grass Roots Group

David Christian - Antrim County Chain of Lakes Lake Level Committee
Jannan Cornstalk - Water is Life Festival
Rob Karner - Glen Lake Association
Emily Votruba - MIFiberShed Team at Grow Benzie

Environmentalist of the Year - Journalism and Communications

Linda Dewey - Glen Arbor Sun
Jeff Gibbs - Film: Planet of the Humans
Kaye LaFond - Interlochen Public Radio
Sheri McWhirter - Traverse City Record-Eagle
Steve Tuttle - Northern Express
Beth Wallace - Great Lakes Partnership Manager at National Wildlife Federation

Environmentalist of the Year - Business

Sarah Anderson - Iron Fish Distillery
Matt Myers - M-22 Stores
Bob Sutherland - Cherry Republic
Dori Turner - Watervale Inn
Jennifer Viren - Taproot Cider House

Environmentalist of the Year - Public Service or Public Office

Tim Arends and John Taylor - TCLP
Mark Breederland  -Michigan Sea Grant
Matt Flechter - Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
Craig Olsen - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Mark Randolph - Kalkaska Conservation District
Kama Ross - Grand Traverse and Leelanau Conservation Districts
Nicole Schafer - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Environmentalist of the Year - Professional

Tom Nelson - Leelanau Conservancy
Carolyn Thayer - Designs In Bloom
Kelly Thayer - FLOW - For the Love of Water

Environmentalist of the Year - Volunteer

Madeline Baroli - Past student Intern for Forestry Assistance Program, Leelanau, Benzie and Grand Traverse Conservation Districts
Fred Norman - Boardman River Clean Sweep
Ingemar Johansson - Honor Area Restoration Project
Suz McLaughlin - Benzie County community
Sharon Oriel - Leelanau Conservancy
Aubrey Ann - Parker Benzie Water Festival
Seth Phillips - Manistee Lake Association
Nicola Philpott - Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Westwood Elementary PTO President
Charlie Weaver - NMEAC & Sierra Club
Sarah Archer - Iris Waste Diversion Specialists

Environmentalist of the Year - General

Rick Buckhalter
Alex Campbell - Bay Area Recycling for Charities
Becky Alexander, Marilee Wood, and Lisa Snyder - Clarence and Esther Kroupa Family
Emily Magner - Michigan League of Conservation Voters

Environmentalist of the Year - Agriculture

John Dindia and Bailey Samp - Lakeview Hill Farm
Michelle Ferrarese - Birch Point Farm
Barry Krull - Krull's Composting
Jake Milarch - Archangel Ancient Tree Archive
Ryan Romeyn - Providence Organic Farm
Carissa Savage - Lost Lake Farm
Chris Skellenger - Buckets of Rain

Thanks to our Underwriters

Advanced Roofing
Gwenne and Len Allgaier
brotha James
Carpet Galleria
CBS Solar
C J Cracchiolo
Jack and Lois Driscoll
Nancy Duke
Tom and Diane Emling
Bill Gittlen
Groundwork Center
Herrington-Fitch Family Foundation
Kima Kraimer
Leslie Lee
Light of Day Organics
Angela Macke
David Milarch
Lynne Moon
Neahtawanta Inn
John Nelson
Rebecca May Norris
Allan O’Shea
Oil & Water Don’t Mix
Oryana Community Co-op
Grant and Paulette Parsons
Denis Pierce
Royce Ragland
Jeremy Reisig
Terri Reisig
Mike & Libby Robold
Ann Rogers
Barb Stamiris
Storylicious
June Thaden
Dori Turner
Sally Van Vleck
Watervale Inn

Brandie Ekren, the new Executive Director of Traverse City Light & Power, spoke to NMEAC board members and supporters in July 2022 and again in January 2023. 

Her presentation in January 2023 was about the TCL&P Climate Action Plan.

Her talk in July 2022 was about her new role for Traverse City's municipal utility. 

Climate Change and Birds in Northwestern Michigan

By William C Scharf

Climate effects were evident in the local avifauna (bird populations) even before I arrived here in the 1960s. We now take for granted local year-around bird species such as Cardinals, Mourning Doves, Tufted Titmice, and House Finches. They are all recent arrivals here, coming from more southerly regions. More than purely temperature change has been involved in this story. Great increases in the human population have also brought about more winter feeding of birds. Recently, urbanized habitats have decreased migrant birds in Traverse City. Tall buildings lining the Boardman River on both sides make a narrow corridor for bird flight between walls of glass and brick. A local proliferation of woody plants which are alien to the region make a hostile environment. Trees such as Norway Maple, Colorado Blue Spruce, Siberian Elm, and Tree of Heaven have been planted and invaded widely on their own. Additionally, invasive shrubs such as Japanese Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive, and Eurasian Burning Bush have spread through incentives from federal agencies and local nurseries. These species do not support insect life for food or provide nesting habitat necessary for our native bird species.

We have captured and banded over 7,000 migrating birds at a preserve near Empire over the past 11 years. Our sample totals 102 species. Many were sparsely known from our area previously. Some of the 102 species are already bird species in peril. One recently captured bird, the Rusty Blackbird, has already decreased 89% in the last ten years by international census estimates. Continuation of our project will show the increase and decrease in migratory species moving through this location. It is already apparent that long-distance migrant birds are suffering declines on their way to and from the tropics where they spend most of their lives. Habitat destruction, pesticides, building collisions, deforestation, and cats are only a partial list of the perils they face on their journey.

The local high-water levels flooding their nesting sites have negatively affected waterfowl, Gulls, Terns, and Herons. This is attributed to extra precipitation from warming waters due to climate change. The water levels were so high last year in early May that waves swept over Bellow Island near Northport washing the nests of Herring and Ring-billed Gulls away. Fortunately, those birds were able to re-nest last year, but repeated losses will take a negative toll. Meanwhile, we have been testing eggs from Herring Gulls and they show a decrease in the bio-magnification of toxicity that was extremely high in the past. This can only mean greater survival for the birds, and less toxic materials in the food chain which all aquatic life depends on. Formerly endangered American Bald Eagles show modest gains in nesting success, as well as do hawks and owls. But, as habitat dwindles due to urbanization and as their prey decreases in numbers, they too may become species of concern.

Watch Peter Sinclair's Climate Change Solutions 2021 webinar held on February 26, 2021.

Watch Climate Change Solutions with Peter Sinclair
Posted by Bill Latka · February 27, 2021 1:02 PM · 1 reaction

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