What Is Earth Week Plus – Northern Michigan?
Mission Statement
In honor of Earth Day the Earth Week Plus Committee’s mission is to increase awareness of environmental issues, to provide an opportunity for local families to learn about nature and how we can preserve it for future generations.
How We Began
Earth Week-Plus started as a grass-roots effort in Cheboygan in 2008. The goals were to increase awareness of environmental issues; and to provide an opportunity for local families to learn about nature, and how we can preserve it for future generations.
In 2011 Earth Week-Plus expanded to a one-day Expo, featuring displays, interactive workshops, demonstrations, and family-friendly, hands-on events.
In addition, several weeks of ‘Adventures’ are offered: Farm and greenhouse tours, nature hikes, library presentations, hands-on projects,etc.
In 2008, forty-five people attended the first Earth Day celebration at the Cheboygan Public Library. In 2018, over 1,100 adults and children participated in ‘Adventures’ and the Earth Week-Plus Expo.
EWP also provides in-school programs to hundreds of students in Cheboygan, Onaway, Pellston, Wolverine, and Mackinaw City.
These educational, multi-generational offerings are free to the public, thanks to the generosity of local individuals, businesses, and organizations.
The planning, execution, and implementation of these events is done entirely by volunteers. In true Cheboygan spirit, various parts of the community work together to produce something our town can be proud of!
Our Free Earth Week Expo
A family-friendly event, held annually in April, featuring presentations about the earth and its creatures, displays, and exhibits for all ages. Examples of Expo offerings are: Hands-on Watershed Model, Live Sea Lamprey , Live Sturgeon, Rocks and minerals of Michigan, Artifacts from Elk, birds, and other wildlife. Bike repair clinic & trail information, Native American artifacts and info. Learn about the Dark Sky Park, U.S. Geological Survey Research vessels, Environmental projects by Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Why Wolves Matter, Seed-planting projects, Environmentally friendly cars, A Bike you can ride to produce electricity….and so much more!
Our Earth Week Adventures
The Earth Week Plus Adventures take place in Northern Michigan. Enjoy watching migrating Hawks and bird watching, Native American Sunrise Ceremony, Recycling Facility tour, Earth Day March for Science, Owl-Banding event, Sturgeon Watch Tour, Farm and Vineyard Tour, Water System Tour, presentations on invasive plants, bicycle maintenance and trails info, Wind Farming , and more.