Teaching Michigan youngsters to creatively recycle: Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team Eco-Christmas

Caption for photo on lower right:

Tara Strong of downstate Grand Blanc (left) helps her daughter four-year-old Anja Strong make a recycled holiday card as Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Filmore holds her baby son, Llewellyn, as her daughter Eileen also makes a card.
The youths made holiday cards and homemade herbal green tea at the NMU EarthKeeper Student Team Eco-Christmas Workshop held Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

(Marquette, MI) – Dozens of youngsters from across Michigan created recycled holiday cards and homemade tea bags for gifts this weekend during the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper’s Eco-Christmas Workshop at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.
The Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team hosted the workshop from 1-4 p.m. across from the children’s library attracting several mothers from the Lower Peninsula and a teacher from Paradise in the eastern Upper Peninsula who plans to bring the idea into her classroom.
While finding ways to entertain and educate her children while her husband checked out job offers in Marquette, Tara Strong of downstate Grand Blanc brought her young daughter and baby son to the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum and then the Peter White children’s library.
“My husband is here interviewing for a residency position for after med school,” said Strong. “We just found out about the project from the librarian.”
“I love it. I love the recycling idea. We’re also on a very limited budget and so I really like the idea of recycling and hand making things. I think it’s great.”
Strong said she and her daughter “are having great fun.”
“I’ve been making crafts,” said four-year-old Anja Strong. “I made a tea bag and I have a honey bear stick”

Caption for photo in upper right:
16-year-old Negaunee High School junior Phil Lindblom, left, watches as volunteers iron wet recycled construction paper for youngsters to make holiday cards at the NMU EarthKeeper Student Team Eco-Christmas Workshop held Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.
Pictured ironing are Escanaba native Carole Beck (center) and 18-year-old NMU EK Student Team member Ellen Lindblom.
Visiting the Lindbloms in Negaunee for the weekend, Beck, who teaches in third through fifth grade at the White Fish Township Community School in Paradise, said she’ll take the NMU EarthKeeper’s idea into her classrooms and maybe make Valentines Day cards

Joined by her brother and a friend, 18-year-old NMU EK Student Team member Ellen Lindblom said the end of the semester meant lots of scrap paper lying around the university.
“School just ended and people have lost of papers left over” that was cut into tiny pieces by NMU EK team members, said Lindblom, an NMU freshman “You put it in the blender with a little bit of water and you blend it until it looks a little bit chunky like this.”
“You put it in a screen flatten it out – pat the water out,” said Lindblom, while using a towel and iron to dry and flatten the multicolored wet paper as 21 year-old NMU EK Student Team Director Ben Scheelk of downstate Charlevoix used a small hair dryer to speed up the process.
“We took a towel and pressed the water out to speed up the drying process a little bit,” she said. “Then flattened it out a little harder with an iron. I think it looks nice.”

Caption for top right and lower right:

Mike Robinson, a 21-year-old NMU senior geography major, from downstate Grosse Pointe, uses a blender to mix red, blue, purple and white bits of paper for youngsters to make into Christmas cards at the NMU EarthKeeper Student Team Eco-Christmas Workshop held Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.
“We are taking some scrap paper from various places and construction paper and making it into some pulp in a blender with some water,” said Robinson, a member of the NMU EK Student team.

His hand atop the lid on a blender that whirred with red, blue, purple and white bits of paper, Mike Robinson, a 21-year-old NMU senior geography major, from downstate Grosse Pointe, said the project is a “good holiday craft.”
“We are taking some scrap paper from various places and construction paper and making it into some pulp in a blender with some water,” said Robinson, a member of the NMU EK Student team.
Pressing the bits of soggy paper into a screen with borders, 16-year-old Negaunee High School junior Phil Lindblom said “this is what they call extreme pulp.”
“I am taking this wet paper and putting it on these screens and pushing water out of it,” said Lindbloom, whose sister is a member of the NMU EarthKeepers. “I am making new paper which is pretty exciting.”
Escanaba native Carole Beck, who teaches in third through fifth grade at the White Fish Township Community School in Paradise, said she’ll take the NMU EarthKeeper’s idea into her classrooms and maybe make Valentines Day cards.
“We’re trying to figure out how we could create the screen there that would be the only thing that we would need extra,” Beck said. “We should be able to do that.”

The students put out bowls with spearmint, raspberry leaves, juniper berries and rose hips that the youngsters used to “make a green tea – a detoxifying beautiful beverage,” said 21-year-old NMU EK Student Team Event Coordinator Amanda Emerson of Cary, Ill. “We also have honey sticks to go along with the tea.”
The herbs were donated by Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore and the Marquette Food Co-op.
“You just wrap those up herbs in an eco-friendly coffee filter and tie it with a string in a nice little bow and there you go,” said Emerson, an NMU Senior Majoring in International Studies (emphasis on Latin America) and Earth Science (emphasis on rocks and minerals). “There’s your gift – a homemade card and homemade tea bags.”

Protecting the earth and teaching the young to respect the planet are major goals of the EarthKeepers, said 21-year-old NMU EarthKeeper Leandra Dziesinski of Alpena, MI.
“It’s very important to care care of your things and the earth is absolutely our thing – it’s where we’re at – so we have to take care of it we only have one earth, said Dziesinski, an NMU senior graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. I think if we have a happy, safe and a clean place to live that just makes our population that much more happy.”
In September, the NMU EarthKeepers cleaned up hundreds of pounds of litter at the Upper Dead River Falls, a popular student hangout, Scheelk said.
The NMU EK Student Team is the youth wing of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers, an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.
The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.

For more information on the Michigan EarthKeepers email or call the following contacts:

Ben Scheelk, Director of NMU EK Student Team
bscheelk@nmu.edu
231-675-0121

Rev. Jon Magnuson, Co-Founder of EarthKeeper Initiative
magnusonx2@charter.net
906-228-5494

Greg Peterson, news reporter and volunteer media advisor for the EarthKeepers and other projects
earthkeeper@charter.net
906-401-0109

U.P. EarthKeeper Team:

http://www.upearthkeepers.org

Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI

http://www.superiorwatersheds.org

Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI

http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org

(Marquette, Michigan) – A student environment group from Northern Michigan University honored “Make A Difference Day” by picking up hundreds of pounds of litter and garbage at a favorite youth party spot around the Upper Dead River Falls in Marquette, Michigan.

The rubbish collected by the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team on Saturday (October 24, 2009) included rusty box springs, a smashed vehicle windshield and a plethora of beer bottles and cans. Some of the beverage containers were very old because they had the old pull-top design.

The Upper Dead River Falls is a rugged area with sandy hills, steep trails, rocky cliffs, a lengthy series of waterfalls and the obvious remnants of many campfires.

“I just found a used diaper, a lot of glass, broken bottles, cans and cigarette wrappers,” said Ben Scheelk, 21,  of Charlevoix, MI, director of the NMU EK Student Team.

“What really disappoints me is all the big things we are finding like bed springs and other rusty old metal things,” Scheelk said.

While looking at the rushing water, NMU EK Student Team Event Coordinator Amanda Emerson said “water is an important entity of the world and even though we have so much of it around here we have to cherish it that much more.”

“We been out here so many times there is no one out here ever picking it up their trash,” said Emerson, 21, of Cary, Ill. (NW Chicago).

NMU Senior Chelsey Cebulsky said she was proud to participate in “Make A Difference Day” and “picking up this trash is a good thing to do for the environment.”

“I have been out here many times for the party scene but I was always the one carrying around a plastic bag telling everyone to put their cans in it – sadly not very many people listened,” said Chelsey Cebulsky, 22, a physical geography major from of Adrian, MI. “Get a trash bag and get rid of trash yourself.”

NMU junior Ben Youren used gloves to carefully separated hundreds of pieces of shattered glass from the muddy soil on a hillside along the river.

“It looks like it is part of a windshield,” said Youren, 26, an English major. “I am trying to dig the glass out of here.”

The NMU environment group is the student wing of the interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team that holds annual Earth Day environment projects across northern Michigan including planting over 12,000 trees this past spring.

Prior to the collection, the group sat in a circle at the NMU University Center and got a lesson in the importance of clean water from the co-founder of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Initiative.

“Almost 80 percent of the world is water and our bodies are 80 percent water, said Rev. Jon Magnuson, co-founder of the EarthKeeper Initiative and campus pastor for NMU Lutheran Campus Ministry.

“There is a delicate balance when it comes to pH or the amount of acid in water and if that balance gets thrown off we can die.”

Magnuson said people who grow up in northern Michigan sometimes “take it for granted because we have so much water.”

“If you go to other places in the world you will see people who have to travel miles to get fresh water,” Magnuson said. “Their whole life is centered around accessing good water.”

The students clean up project may of had a preventative effect.

While the students were cleaning up the area, a pickup truck pulled up with a load of tires in the back. After talking briefly to the students, the two men in the truck pulled away.

“It looks like we prevented them from dumping a whole load of tires along side of the river,” Scheelk said.

The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.

The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.

For more information on the Michigan EarthKeepers email or call the following contacts:Ben Scheelk, Director of NMU EK Student Team
bscheelk@nmu.edu
231-675-0121

Rev. Jon Magnuson, Co-Founder of EarthKeeper Initiative
magnusonx2@charter.net
906-228-5494

Greg Peterson, news reporter and volunteer media advisor for the EarthKeepers and other projects
earthkeeper@charter.net
906-401-0109

U.P. EarthKeeper Team:

http://www.upearthkeepers.org

Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI

http://www.superiorwatersheds.org

Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI

http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org

Make A Difference Day:

http://www.makeadifferenceday.com

http://www.facebook.com/makeadifferenceday

http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/index.html

The EarthKeeper “Interfaith Respect” video series continues with a look at the Jewish faith with Dr. Michael Grossman of Ishpeming, Michigan.
The video ends with a drum solo and singing by Northern Michigan University student Emmanuel Shayo.

The series is brought to you buy the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team and the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute and its related environment projects like the interfaith Earth Healing Initiative, the interfaith Upper Peninsula (U.P.) EarthKeeper Team and more.
Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the U.P. EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.

On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each other’s faiths:

“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.”

The video series began with a three part look at Islam (see links below) and now the Jewish faith.

Future videos will include Baha’i, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more).

In this video we feature Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom, a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI. After Dr. Grossman’s talk, you will hear NMU student Emmanuel Shayo who played a drum solo and sang.

Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions on April 23, 2009 in an address to NMU students.

The interfaith messages were deliver during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.

The first three videos featured well-known Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, who spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.

Imam Qazwini talked about his life, the Iraq War, the treatment of women in Islam, respect for the environment and the few differences between the world’s major religions. NMU Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.

Parts 1-3 on bliptv & youtube:

Interfaith Respect Series #1 Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette:

bliptv

youtube

Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues:

bliptv

youtube

Interfaith Respect Series #3: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini explains Islam and respect for women:

bliptv

youtube

Other Interfaith Respect videos with:

Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette: Speaks about the history of the Baha’i faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.

Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI: Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.

Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each other’s faith.

The mother of three children, Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore was the seedling distribution coordinator for the 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project that was held in connection with Earth Day 2009 and saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009: Fillmore speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project including what it takes to organize the distribution of 12,000 seedlings across a 400-mile area.

United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton IN: Cairns speaks about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion: Speaks in May 2009 about Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University.

Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.

The interfaith series includes music from the NMU Sacred Planet series: EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums and sang.

The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.

The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.

The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.

U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:

People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.

The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.
And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.

“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”

“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”

“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”

“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”

“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”

“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.
It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.
It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”

“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”

And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the President’s remarks about respect for women’s rights:

President Obama said “the sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”

“I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”

“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”
“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”

“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential.
I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.
But it should be their choice.”

“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”

Related Links:

Rabbi Hillel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillel_the_Elder

http://rabbihillel.com

http://www.jewfaq.org/sages.htm

Artwork of Rabbi Hillel:

Rabbi Hillel artwork was “reproduced with cooperation of the Arthur Szyk Society in Burlingame, CA.

By the way, Szyk is pronounced “Schick” (like the razor) and has a Polish origin.

http://www.szyk.org

http://www.szyk.org/szykonline/hillel.html

The
Arthur Szyk Society

Not-for-profit organization

1200 Edgehill Drive

Burlingame, CA 94010

Phone:

1-650-343-9588 (office)

1-650-579-6014 (fax)

email The Arthur Szyk Society

Special thanks to Allison Chang, the Society Coordinator for the Arthur Szyk Society

email Allison Chang

Zohar:

Wikipedia on Zohar

Jewish Virtual Library on Zohar

Drawing of Zohar on wikipedia:

Title page of first edition of the Zohar, Mantua, 1558 Library of Congress is in the Public Domain because its copyright has expired.

Kabbalah:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361877/jewish/The-Zohar.htm

Tree of Life (Kabbalah):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_life_(Kabbalah)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_of_life_wk_02.svg

Illustration:

A Public Domain version of the Kabbalistic tree with flaming sword in yellow. (The flaming sword that protects the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life itself.)

Diagram by Morgan Leigh

email Morgan Leigh

Tree of Life:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tree_of_life_wk_02.svg

Town of Safed (home of Jewish Mystics):

http://jewishmag.com/1mag/safad/safad.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safad

Wikipedia photo of city of Safed:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Safed1.jpg

Safed (צפת in Hebrew), a city in northern Israel. Taken by Beny Shlevich (Volland), on May 29th, 2006.

Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

Wikipedia map of Safed:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Israel_outline_north_haifa.png

Map of North and Haifa districts of Israel

Map by Yan Nasonov from Petah Tikva, Israel, going by the alias Ynhockey because I once played hockey and have had this alias for over 6 years.

Wikipedia user Ynhockey:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ynhockey

Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)

11th century manuscript of the Hebrew Bible with Aramaic Targum image used under Creative Commons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_Bible

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Targum.jpg

U.P. EarthKeeper Team

Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI

Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI

Two previous excerpts from the Marquette talk by Imam Hassan Qazwini:

Religions, people have few differences on bliptv

Religions, people have few differences on youtube

Selfish humans abuse Earth on MIEarth Video Website

Selfish humans abuse Earth on bliptv

Selfish humans abuse Earth on youtube

Islamic Center of America, Detroit, MI

Imam Hassan Qazwini website

Lutheran Campus Ministry

http://www.tiredofthiscrap.com

Lutheran Campus Ministry native Species Garden

Lake Superior Interfaith

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette story on national Baha’i website about 2009 tree platning project

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette story on national Baha’i website about Earth Day 2007

Northern Great Lakes Synod, Marquette, MI (Bishop Thomas Skrenes)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

United Methodist Church Marquette District Office (Supt. Grant R. Lobb)

Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC)

http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/3754.shtml

http://www.uua.org

Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, MI

http://www.templebethsholom-ishpeming.org/tikkun

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, MI (Bishop Alexander Sample)

Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, Marquette, MI

http://www.upepiscopal.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Diocese_of_Northern_Michigan

http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com/bishopkelsey.html

Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist Temple, Marquette, MI:

http://lakesuperiorzendo.googlepages.com/lakesuperiorzendo

Buddhadharma MahaSangha News:

http://www.shambhalasun.com/news/?p=1946

American Buddhist Network:

http://americanbuddhist.net/over-12-000-trees-planted-across-northern-michigan

http://americanbuddhist.net/michigan-buddhist-groups-helped-plant-12-000-trees

Buddhist Yahoo Darma Wellness Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dharma-Direct/message/17168

Presbytery of Mackinac (Presbyterian):

http://presbymac.com

http://www.presbysupport.net/mac

http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07188.htm

Quakers Lake Superior Friends, Marquette, MI:

http://www.quakerfinder.org/quaker/near/MI/Marquette/11767

http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/meetings

MIEarth:

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=368

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=253

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=252

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=178

Celtic Christianity Today, founded by Rev. Dr. George Cairns:

http://www.celticchristianitytoday.org

Union Community Church in Valpraiso, IN:

http://unioncommunitychurchucc.blogspot.com

Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones:

http://blogs.valpo.edu/gjones

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bahá’í Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:

Call Justice St. Rain at Interfaith resources

1-800-326-1197

Interfaith Resources

P.O. Box 9

511 Diamond Rd

Heltonville IN

47436

Stories on EarthKeeper projects (2005-2009):

EK Tree Planting final story:

http://earthkeepers.blip.tv/file/2108308

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNGjxirmK4

http://blip.tv/journal/10088

EarthKeeper Column #6 by Catholic member Kyra Fillmore: Growing Faith:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527268.html

EarthKeeper Column #5 by co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson: Seeds, Signs and Symbols

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526935.html

EarthKeeper Column #4 by Presbyterian member Jill Martin: The Giving Tree

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526579.html

EarthKeeper Column #3 by Carl Lindquist: Great Lakes Ripple Effect

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526285.html

EarthKeeper Column #2 Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg:

http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525918.html?nav=5003

EarthKeeper Column #1 by Rev. Jon Magnuson:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525642.html?nav=5003

Some of the Earthkeeper stories over the years:

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512057.html

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/511861.html?nav=5052

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527270.html?nav=5001

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNGjxirmK4

http://blip.tv/file/2108308

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/community/story.aspx?id=295080

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=290507

http://www.lscbc.com/news.php?id=509

http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/507618.html?nav=5002

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512306.html

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526750.html

http://www.americancatholic.org/news/newsreport.aspx?id=999

http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyworldnew-new.aspx?action=6082

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Blog/News-Blog-Archive.aspx?a=327

http://cmonletsplantatree.blogspot.com

http://network.earthday.net/profiles/blogs/its-underway-update-rainbow

Lake Superior Magazine:

http://www.lakesuperior.com/online/295/295award.html

National Religion News:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84803_ENG_HTM.htm

http://news.bahai.org/story/449

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=6044

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5918

Catholic News Service Preview Story on 2006 EarthKeeper Electronic Clean Sweep

Presbyterian News Service on 2006 Earth Keeper Electronic Waste Clean Sweep

Presbyterian News Service on 2007 EarthKeeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

United Methodist News Service on EarthKeeper Methodists sharing Michigan Sierra Club White Pine Award

Environment Magazine on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

Environment News Service on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

Interfaith Good News Daily newspaper story says Faith-based Lake Superior benefit concert a big hit

Story on Earth Keeper Energy Summit in Cedar Tree Institute website

EarthTimes story on EarthKeepers

April 2005 EPA Significant Activites report on EarthKeepers

EPA story on the Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers

PR Web: Michigan Earth Day 2007 Project Nets Over Ton of Pharmaceuticals (has lots of photos on right side of page)

Michigan Earth Keepers video: One person can make a difference

2007 Earth Keeper Clean Sweep video on bliptv

Christian Post article on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project

Presbyterian News Service preview story on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project

The Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during May 2009 thanks to the congregations of over 100 churches and temples.

A garden initiative is among the projects being considered in 2010.

Interfaith Respect Series #3: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini explains Islam and respect for woman

Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

Interfaith Respect Series on BlipTV courtesy the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI and the interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper team:

On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each others faiths: The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.

In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.

These videos include Bahai, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

We start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini (pictured above) and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom (pictured below), a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.

Blip TV:

Bliptv video #1

Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2 Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette

Bliptv video #2

Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues

youtube video #1

Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette

youtube video #2

Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues

Imam Hassan Qazwini photos by Greg Peterson

Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.

Imam Qazwini talks about his life, the Iraq War and the treatment of women in Islam.

(See links below to two previous videos in which Imam Qazwini talks about respect for the environment and the few differences between the worlds major religions.)

Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.

Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions in a April 23, 2009 address to NMU students.

The interfaith messages were delivered during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.

Interfaith graphic, above, by Justice St. Rain

The EarthKeeper Interfaith Respect videos will include:

Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of Marquette:

Speaks about the history of the Bahai faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.

Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI:

Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.

Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each others faith.

Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, seedling distribution coordinator for the EarthKeeper Tree Project, held in connection with Earth Day 2009, that saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009:

Speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project.

United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton, Indiana:

Cairns speaks in May 2009 about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion plus Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN.

Dr. Cairns comments are thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University.

Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.

We will wrap up our interfaith series with music from the NMU Sacred Planet series:

EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant (above) on guitar

NMU student Emmanuel Shayo (above) sings, plays drums

EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums.

NMU students and the guest speakers enjoyed homemade herbal tea made with indigenous plants that were collected and and brewed by EarthKeeper volunteer and naturalist Tom Reed, who has served as volunteer social worker with numerous Cedar Tree Institute projects.

The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.

The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.

The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:

“People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.”

“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.”

“And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.”

“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”

“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”

“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”

“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”

“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”

“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

This truth transcends nations and peoples a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.

It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.

It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”

“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”

And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the Presidents remarks about respect for womens rights:

“The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”

“I know there is debate about this issue.
I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”

“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”

“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”

“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity men and women to reach their full potential.

I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.

But it should be their choice.”

“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”

Related Links:

U.P. EarthKeeper Team

Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI

Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI

Two previous excerpts from the Marquette talk by Imam Hassan Qazwini:

Religions, people have few differences on bliptv

Religions, people have few differences on youtube

Selfish humans abuse Earth on MIEarth Video Website

Selfish humans abuse Earth on bliptv

Selfish humans abuse Earth on youtube

Islamic Center of America, Detroit, MI

Imam Hassan Qazwini website

Lutheran Campus Ministry

http://www.tiredofthiscrap.com

Lutheran Campus Ministry native Species Garden

Lake Superior Interfaith

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette story on national Baha’i website about 2009 tree platning project

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette story on national Baha’i website about Earth Day 2007

Northern Great Lakes Synod, Marquette, MI (Bishop Thomas Skrenes)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

United Methodist Church Marquette District Office (Supt. Grant R. Lobb)

Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC)

http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/3754.shtml

http://www.uua.org

Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, MI

http://www.templebethsholom-ishpeming.org/tikkun

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, MI (Bishop Alexander Sample)

Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, Marquette, MI

http://www.upepiscopal.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Diocese_of_Northern_Michigan

http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com/bishopkelsey.html

Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist Temple, Marquette, MI:

http://lakesuperiorzendo.googlepages.com/lakesuperiorzendo

Buddhadharma MahaSangha News:

http://www.shambhalasun.com/news/?p=1946

American Buddhist Network:

http://americanbuddhist.net/over-12-000-trees-planted-across-northern-michigan

http://americanbuddhist.net/michigan-buddhist-groups-helped-plant-12-000-trees

Buddhist Yahoo Darma Wellness Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dharma-Direct/message/17168

Presbytery of Mackinac (Presbyterian):

http://presbymac.com

http://www.presbysupport.net/mac

http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07188.htm

Quakers Lake Superior Friends, Marquette, MI:

http://www.quakerfinder.org/quaker/near/MI/Marquette/11767

http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/meetings

MIEarth:

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=368

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=253

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=252

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=178

Celtic Christianity Today, founded by Rev. Dr. George Cairns:

http://www.celticchristianitytoday.org

Union Community Church in Valpraiso, IN:

http://unioncommunitychurchucc.blogspot.com

Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones:

http://blogs.valpo.edu/gjones

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bahá’í Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:

Call Justice St. Rain at Interfaith resources

1-800-326-1197

Interfaith Resources

P.O. Box 9

511 Diamond Rd

Heltonville IN

47436

Stories on EarthKeeper projects (2005-2009):

EK Tree Planting final story:

http://earthkeepers.blip.tv/file/2108308

http://blip.tv/journal/10088

EarthKeeper Column #7 by Rev. Jon Magnuson: Bequeathing a Sacred Planet

EarthKeeper Column #6 by Catholic member Kyra Fillmore: Growing Faith:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527268.html

EarthKeeper Column #5 by co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson: Seeds, Signs and Symbols

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526935.html

EarthKeeper Column #4 by Presbyterian member Jill Martin: The Giving Tree

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526579.html

EarthKeeper Column #3 by Carl Lindquist: Great Lakes Ripple Effect

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526285.html

EarthKeeper Column #2 Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg:

http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525918.html?nav=5003

EarthKeeper Column #1 by Rev. Jon Magnuson:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525642.html?nav=5003

Some of the Earthkeeper stories over the years:

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512057.html

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/511861.html?nav=5052

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527270.html?nav=5001

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/community/story.aspx?id=295080

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=290507

http://www.lscbc.com/news.php?id=509

http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/507618.html?nav=5002

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512306.html

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526750.html

http://www.americancatholic.org/news/newsreport.aspx?id=999

http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyworldnew-new.aspx?action=6082

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Blog/News-Blog-Archive.aspx?a=327

http://cmonletsplantatree.blogspot.com

http://network.earthday.net/profiles/blogs/its-underway-update-rainbow

Lake Superior Magazine:

http://www.lakesuperior.com/online/295/295award.html

National Religion News:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84803_ENG_HTM.htm

http://news.bahai.org/story/449

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=6044

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5918

Catholic News Service Preview Story on 2006 EarthKeeper Electronic Clean Sweep

Presbyterian News Service on 2006 Earth Keeper Electronic Waste Clean Sweep

Presbyterian News Service on 2007 EarthKeeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

United Methodist News Service on EarthKeeper Methodists sharing Michigan Sierra Club White Pine Award

Environment Magazine on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

Environment News Service on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

Interfaith Good News Daily newspaper story says Faith-based Lake Superior benefit concert a big hit

Story on Earth Keeper Energy Summit in Cedar Tree Institute website

EarthTimes story on EarthKeepers

April 2005 EPA Significant Activites report on EarthKeepers

EPA story on the Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers

PR Web: Michigan Earth Day 2007 Project Nets Over Ton of Pharmaceuticals (has lots of photos on right side of page)

Michigan Earth Keepers video: One person can make a difference

2007 Earth Keeper Clean Sweep video on bliptv

Christian Post article on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project

Presbyterian News Service preview story on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project

The Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during May 2009 thanks to the congregations of over 100 churches and temples.

A garden initiative is among the projects being considered in 2010.

Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about the Iraq War and other issues

Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each others faiths: The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.

In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.

These videos include Bahai, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

We start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini (pictured above) and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom (pictured below), a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.

Blip TV:

Bliptv video #1

Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2 Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette

Bliptv video #2

Bliptv Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues

youtube video #1

Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2008 visit to Marquette

youtube video #2

Interfaith Respect Series #2: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini discusses the Iraq War and other issues

Imam Hassan Qazwini photos by Greg Peterson

Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.

Imam Qazwini talks about his life, the Iraq War and the treatment of women in Islam.

(See links below to two previous videos in which Imam Qazwini talks about respect for the environment and the few differences between the worlds major religions.)

Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.

Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions in a April 23, 2009 address to NMU students.

The interfaith messages were delivered during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.

Interfaith graphic, above, by Justice St. Rain

The EarthKeeper Interfaith Respect videos will include:

Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of Marquette:

Speaks about the history of the Bahai faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.

Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI:

Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.

Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:

Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each others faith.

Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, seedling distribution coordinator for the EarthKeeper Tree Project, held in connection with Earth Day 2009, that saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009:

Speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project.

United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton, Indiana:

Cairns speaks in May 2009 about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion plus Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN.

Dr. Cairns comments are thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones, M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University.

Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.

We will wrap up our interfaith series with music from the NMU Sacred Planet series:

EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant (above) on guitar

NMU student Emmanuel Shayo (above) sings, plays drums

EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums.

NMU students and the guest speakers enjoyed homemade herbal tea made with indigenous plants that were collected and and brewed by EarthKeeper volunteer and naturalist Tom Reed, who has served as volunteer social worker with numerous Cedar Tree Institute projects.

The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.

The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.

The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:

“People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.”

“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.”

“And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.”

“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”

“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”

“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”

“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”

“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”

“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

This truth transcends nations and peoples a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.

It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.

It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”

“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”

And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the Presidents remarks about respect for womens rights:

“The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”

“I know there is debate about this issue.
I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”

“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”

“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”

“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity men and women to reach their full potential.

I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.

But it should be their choice.”

“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”

Related Links:

U.P. EarthKeeper Team

Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette, MI

Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI

Two previous excerpts from the Marquette talk by Imam Hassan Qazwini:

Religions, people have few differences on bliptv

Religions, people have few differences on youtube

Selfish humans abuse Earth on MIEarth Video Website

Selfish humans abuse Earth on bliptv

Selfish humans abuse Earth on youtube

Islamic Center of America, Detroit, MI

Imam Hassan Qazwini website

Lutheran Campus Ministry

http://www.tiredofthiscrap.com

Lutheran Campus Ministry native Species Garden

Lake Superior Interfaith

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette story on national Baha’i website about 2009 tree platning project

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette story on national Baha’i website about Earth Day 2007

Northern Great Lakes Synod, Marquette, MI (Bishop Thomas Skrenes)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

United Methodist Church Marquette District Office (Supt. Grant R. Lobb)

Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC)

http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/3754.shtml

http://www.uua.org

Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, MI

http://www.templebethsholom-ishpeming.org/tikkun

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, MI (Bishop Alexander Sample)

Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, Marquette, MI

http://www.upepiscopal.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Diocese_of_Northern_Michigan

http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com/bishopkelsey.html

Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist Temple, Marquette, MI:

http://lakesuperiorzendo.googlepages.com/lakesuperiorzendo

Buddhadharma MahaSangha News:

http://www.shambhalasun.com/news/?p=1946

American Buddhist Network:

http://americanbuddhist.net/over-12-000-trees-planted-across-northern-michigan

http://americanbuddhist.net/michigan-buddhist-groups-helped-plant-12-000-trees

Buddhist Yahoo Darma Wellness Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dharma-Direct/message/17168

Presbytery of Mackinac (Presbyterian):

http://presbymac.com

http://www.presbysupport.net/mac

http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07188.htm

Quakers Lake Superior Friends, Marquette, MI:

http://www.quakerfinder.org/quaker/near/MI/Marquette/11767

http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/meetings

MIEarth:

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=368

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=253

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=252

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=178

Celtic Christianity Today, founded by Rev. Dr. George Cairns:

http://www.celticchristianitytoday.org

Union Community Church in Valpraiso, IN:

http://unioncommunitychurchucc.blogspot.com

Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones:

http://blogs.valpo.edu/gjones

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bahá’í Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:

Call Justice St. Rain at Interfaith resources

1-800-326-1197

Interfaith Resources

P.O. Box 9

511 Diamond Rd

Heltonville IN

47436

Stories on EarthKeeper projects (2005-2009):

EK Tree Planting final story:

http://earthkeepers.blip.tv/file/2108308

http://blip.tv/journal/10088

EarthKeeper Column #7 by Rev. Jon Magnuson: Bequeathing a Sacred Planet

EarthKeeper Column #6 by Catholic member Kyra Fillmore: Growing Faith:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527268.html

EarthKeeper Column #5 by co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson: Seeds, Signs and Symbols

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526935.html

EarthKeeper Column #4 by Presbyterian member Jill Martin: The Giving Tree

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526579.html

EarthKeeper Column #3 by Carl Lindquist: Great Lakes Ripple Effect

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526285.html

EarthKeeper Column #2 Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg:

http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525918.html?nav=5003

EarthKeeper Column #1 by Rev. Jon Magnuson:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525642.html?nav=5003

Some of the Earthkeeper stories over the years:

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512057.html

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/511861.html?nav=5052

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527270.html?nav=5001

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/community/story.aspx?id=295080

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=290507

http://www.lscbc.com/news.php?id=509

http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/507618.html?nav=5002

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512306.html

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526750.html

http://www.americancatholic.org/news/newsreport.aspx?id=999

http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyworldnew-new.aspx?action=6082

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Blog/News-Blog-Archive.aspx?a=327

http://cmonletsplantatree.blogspot.com

http://network.earthday.net/profiles/blogs/its-underway-update-rainbow

Lake Superior Magazine:

http://www.lakesuperior.com/online/295/295award.html

National Religion News:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84803_ENG_HTM.htm

http://news.bahai.org/story/449

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=6044

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5918

Catholic News Service Preview Story on 2006 EarthKeeper Electronic Clean Sweep

Presbyterian News Service on 2006 Earth Keeper Electronic Waste Clean Sweep

Presbyterian News Service on 2007 EarthKeeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

United Methodist News Service on EarthKeeper Methodists sharing Michigan Sierra Club White Pine Award

Environment Magazine on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

Environment News Service on 2007 Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep

Interfaith Good News Daily newspaper story says Faith-based Lake Superior benefit concert a big hit

Story on Earth Keeper Energy Summit in Cedar Tree Institute website

EarthTimes story on EarthKeepers

April 2005 EPA Significant Activites report on EarthKeepers

EPA story on the Upper Peninsula EarthKeepers

PR Web: Michigan Earth Day 2007 Project Nets Over Ton of Pharmaceuticals (has lots of photos on right side of page)

Michigan Earth Keepers video: One person can make a difference

2007 Earth Keeper Clean Sweep video on bliptv

Christian Post article on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project

Presbyterian News Service preview story on 2009 EarthKeeper Tree Project

The Interfaith Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during May 2009 thanks to the congregations of over 100 churches and temples.

A garden initiative is among the projects being considered in 2010.

Interfaith Respect Series #1: Islamic Center of America Imam Hassan Qazwini talks about his life during fall 2009 visit to Marquette, MI

Interfaith Respect has long been a goal of the Upper Peninsula EarthKeeper Team in northern Michigan.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

On June 4, 2009 President Barack Obama said in Cairo, Egypt that people from different religions should respect each others faiths: The richness of religious diversity must be upheld … faith should bring us together.

In that spirit, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette, MI begins a series of videos from a wide range of faiths.

These videos include Bahai, Jewish, Muslim, Zen Buddhist and Christian (Catholic, Lutheran, United Church of Christ and more.)

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

We start with three videos with well-know Muslim Imam Hassan Qazwini and followed by three videos of Dr. Michael Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom, a Jewish Synagogue in Ishpeming, MI.

Imam Hassan Qazwini photos by Greg Peterson

Imam Hassan Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America, spoke on Oct. 22, 2008 at the Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) Lothlórien House in Marquette, MI.

Imam Qazwini talks about his life, the Iraq War and the treatment of women in Islam.

(See links below to two previous videos in which Imam Qazwini talks about respect for the environment and the few differences between the worlds major religions.)

Northern Michigan University (NMU) Health & Nutrition Professor Mohey Mowafy of Marquette introduced Imam Hassan Qazwini.

Dr. Grossman joined faith leaders from other religions in a April 23, 2009 address to NMU students.

The interfaith messages were deliver during the Sacred Planet series sponsored by the EarthKeeper NMU Student Team led by team leaders Sarah Swanson and Ben Scheelk.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

Interfaith Respect videos will include:

Dr. Rodney H. Clarken, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of Marquette: Speaks about the history of the Bahai faiht, the environment and the EarthKeeper Initiative.

Head Priest Reverend Tesshin Paul Lehmberg of the Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist temple, Marquette, MI: Speaks about the history of the Buddhist and Zen Buddhist faith, the environment and the EarthKeeper Tree Project.

Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes of the Northern Great Lakes Synod for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Speaks on the environment, interfaith projects and respect for each others faith.

Catholic EarthKeeper team member Kyra Fillmore, seedling distribution coordinator for the EarthKeeper Tree Project, held in connection with Earth Day 2009,  that saw the congregations of 100 churches and temples plant over 12,000 trees across the U.P. during May 2009:

Speaks about the Catholic faith, the environment and the tree project.

United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. George Cairns of Chesterton IN: Cairns speaks about what can be learned from the Earth-based Celtic religion: Speaks in May 2009 about Celtic Christianity and the environment from Union Community Church (UCC) in Valparaiso, IN. Dr. Cairns thanks to the congregation and its pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones,  M.Div., D. Min, adjunct assistant professor of theology at Valparaiso University .
Dr. Cairns is the co-founder of the nonprofit Turtle island Project, a research professor with the Chicago Theological Seminary and Theologian in Residence at the Union Community Church.

We will wrap up our interfaith series with music from the NMU Sacred Planet series: EarthKeeper volunteer Johnnie Bryant sang an original song and NMU student Emmanuel Shayo played the drums.

The EarthKeepers are an interfaith environment group involving over 150 churches and temples across northern Michigan.

The EarthKeeper Initiative is co-sponsored by the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and 10 faith communities: Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Quakers (Religious Society of Friends) and Zen Buddhist.

The EarthKeepers have ties to several other faiths including the Evangelical Covenant Church and Japanese Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network.

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain

U.S. President Barack Obama interfaith quotes from Cairo, Egypt on June 4, 2009:

“People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.”

“The richness of religious diversity must be upheld whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt.”

“And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.”

“Indeed, faith should bring us together.”

“That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews.”

“That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations.
Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.”

“I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.”

“The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few.”

“We should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

This truth transcends nations and peoples a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew.

It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions.

It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.”

“All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.”

And because the EarthKeepers stand for the equal treatment of all – we include the Presidents remarks about respect for womens rights:

“The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.”

“I know there is debate about this issue.
I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality.
And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”

“Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead.”

“Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.”

“Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity men and women to reach their full potential.

I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles.

But it should be their choice.”

“That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.”

Related Links:

U.P. EarthKeeper Team:

http://www.upearthkeepers.org

Non-profit Cedar Tree Institute

Superior Watershed Partnership

Lake Superior Interfaith Communication Network

Two previous excerpts from the Marquette talk by Imam Hassan Qazwini:

Religions, people have few differences:

Selfish humans abuse Earth:

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=107

http://blip.tv/file/1400491

Islamic Center of America, Detroit, MI:

http://www.icofa.com

Imam Hassan Qazwini

http://www.qazwini.org

Lutheran Campus Ministry:

http://www.nmulutherans.org

http://www.tiredofthiscrap.com

http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com/gardenblessing.html

Lake Superior Interfaith:

http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Marquette:

http://www.bahai.us/Earth-Day-2009

http://www.bahai.us/earth-day

Northern Great Lakes Synod, Marquette, MI (Bishop Thomas Skrenes):

http://www.nglsynod.org

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA):

http://www.elca.org

United Methodist Church Marquette District Office (Supt. Grant R. Lobb):

http://mqtdistrict.com/

Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation (MUUC):

http://www.mqtuu.org

http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/3754.shtml

http://www.uua.org

Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, MI:

http://www.templebethsholom-ishpeming.org

http://www.templebethsholom-ishpeming.org/tikkun

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette, MI (Bishop Alexander Sample):

http://www.dioceseofmarquette.org

Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, Marquette, MI

http://www.upepiscopal.org

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Diocese_of_Northern_Michigan

http://www.lakesuperiorinterfaith.com/bishopkelsey.html

Lake Superior Zendo, Soto Zen Buddhist Temple, Marquette, MI:

http://lakesuperiorzendo.googlepages.com/lakesuperiorzendo

Buddhadharma MahaSangha News:

http://www.shambhalasun.com/news/?p=1946

American Buddhist Network:

http://americanbuddhist.net/over-12-000-trees-planted-across-northern-michigan

http://americanbuddhist.net/michigan-buddhist-groups-helped-plant-12-000-trees

Buddhist Yahoo Darma Wellness Group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dharma-Direct/message/17168

Presbytery of Mackinac (Presbyterian):

http://presbymac.com

http://www.presbysupport.net/mac

http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07188.htm

Quakers Lake Superior Friends, Marquette, MI:

http://www.quakerfinder.org/quaker/near/MI/Marquette/11767

http://www.northernyearlymeeting.org/meetings

MIEarth:

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=368

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=253

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=252

http://www.miearth.org/play.php?vid=178

Celtic Christianity Today, founded by Rev. Dr. George Cairns:

http://www.celticchristianitytoday.org

Union Community Church in Valpraiso, IN:

http://unioncommunitychurchucc.blogspot.com

Rev. Dr. Gregory Augustus Jones:

http://blogs.valpo.edu/gjones

Interfaith graphics by Justice St. Rain (Bahá’í Community) of Interfaith Resources – Special Ideas website:

Call Justice St. Rain at Interfaith resources

1-800-326-1197

E-mail Justice St. Rain

Interfaith Resources
P.O. Box 9
511 Diamond Rd
Heltonville IN
47436

Stories on EarthKeeper projects:

EK Tree Planting final story:

http://earthkeepers.blip.tv/file/2108308

http://blip.tv/journal/10088

EarthKeeper Column #6 by Catholic member Kyra Fillmore: Growing Faith

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527268.html

EarthKeeper Column #5 by co-founder Rev. Jon Magnuson: Seeds, Signs and Symbols

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526935.html

EarthKeeper Column #4 by Presbyterian member Jill Martin: The Giving Tree

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526579.html

EarthKeeper Column #3 by Carl Lindquist: Great Lakes Ripple Effect

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526285.html

EarthKeeper Column #2  Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg:

http://miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525918.html?nav=5003

EarthKeeper Column #1 by Rev. Jon Magnuson:

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/525642.html?nav=5003

Some of the Earthkeeper stories over the years:

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512057.html

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/511861.html?nav=5052

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/527270.html?nav=5001

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/community/story.aspx?id=295080

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=290507

http://www.lscbc.com/news.php?id=509

http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/507618.html?nav=5002

http://www.dailypress.net/page/content.detail/id/512306.html

http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/526750.html

http://www.americancatholic.org/news/newsreport.aspx?id=999

http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyworldnew-new.aspx?action=6082

http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Blog/News-Blog-Archive.aspx?a=327

http://cmonletsplantatree.blogspot.com/

http://network.earthday.net/profiles/blogs/its-underway-update-rainbow

Lake Superior Magazine:

http://www.lakesuperior.com/online/295/295award.html

National Religion News:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84803_ENG_HTM.htm

http://news.bahai.org/story/449

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=6044

http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=5918

http://www.catholic.org/printer_friendly.php?id=19504&section=Cathcom

http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07188.htm

http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2007/07251.htm

http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1850805/k.B6A9/United_Methodists_receive_award_for_protecting_Lake_Superior.htm

Environment Magazine:

http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3673

Environment News Service:

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2007/2007-05-07-09.asp#anchor6

Interfaith Good News Daily newspaper: Faith-based Lake Superior benefit concert a big hit:

http://www.goodnewsdaily.net/modules/news/article.php?storyid=5490

Earth Keeper Energy Summit:

http://www.cedartreeinstitute.org/ekenergysummit2007.html

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,122272.shtml

EPA:

http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/active/2005/apr05.html

http://www.epa.gov/NCEI/collaboration/PDF/Partnerships%20for%20Pollution%20Prevention%20and%20Waste%20Minimization/EarthKeepers.pdf

PR Web: Michigan Earth Day 2007 Project Nets Over Ton of Pharmaceuticals (has lots of photos on right side of page):

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/4/prweb522589.htm

Michigan Earth Keepers: One person can make a difference:

2007 Earth Keeper Clean Sweep:

http://earthkeepers.blip.tv/file/220181

http://www.christianpost.com/church/General/2009/04/churches-across-faith-traditions-plant-12-000-trees-23/index.html

Earth Day 2009: First tree planted and blessed by northern Michigan bishops and faith leaders on Earth Day 2009 near shores of Lake Superior at Presque Isle in Marquette

(Marquette, Michigan) – Northern Michigan residents planted more than 12,000 trees in early May across a 400-mile area of the Upper Peninsula and in northern Wisconsin during the 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project.

White Spruce and Red Pine seedlings measuring 12 to 16 inches tall were given to over 100 churches and temples in all 15 Upper Peninsula (U.P.) counties and Minocqua, WI, said Catholic EarthKeeper Kyra Fillmore of Marquette, the project distribution coordinator.

“We hope these trees grow strong and tall,” Fillmore said.

EarthKeeper volunteers planted the 12,000 trees by homes, camps, parks, American Indian reservations and many other places with help from hundreds of chilren ranging in age from two-years-old to twenty-two.

In a tragic irony, within hours of the last trees being planted two raging forest fires erupted in Marquette and Alger counties.
In Marquette County, 33 structures were destroyed including 12 homes.

In Baraga County, an EarthKeeper tree planter was preparing to bury a cousin at the Pinery Cemetery when the wildfire ripped through the Native American cemetery destroying 45 spirit houses. Fortunately there were no deaths or serious injuries reported. Untold thousands and thousands of trees were burned in the forest fires.

The fires underline the need for people to plant trees and remove dead underbrush from around your home.

“My kids and I had a great time packing trees and planting trees,” said Carl Lindquist, who has a son Nels, 13, and a daughter Ingrid, 11, and is executive director of the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership in Marquette. “I think everyone likes to feel like they are part of something much bigger than they are.”

The EarthKeeper team includes ten faith traditions with over 150 participating churches/temples (Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Baha’i, Jewish, Zen Buddist, Quakers), plus the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership, the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute, and the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper (NMU EK) Student Team.

Three Native American sisters and their mom volunteered at the Marquette tree distribution center. The girls planted trees behind their Gwinn, MI home hoping to attract more wildlife to what has turned into a nature preserve of sorts with a wide variety of wild animals and birds.

“We’ve decided to do a wildlife sanctuary in our backyard because we already have deer and many other animals come,” said Pamella Vincent, 17, a senior at Gwinn High School. “It will be really cool to see different animals come because of the trees.”

In the eight-acre area, “we already have Sand Hill Cranes, and deer and coyotes there, so we are trying to get more animals to come,” said Paige Vincent, 14, an eighth grader at Gwinn Middle School.

The youngest sister, Gilbert Elementary School sixth grader Paula Vincent, 12, said she has spotted cranes and “had popcorn in my hand and a crow came to eat out of my hand.

The Vincent family are members of St. James the Less Episcopal Church in Harvey, MI.

The girl’s mom Theresa Vincent said her great-grandpa was a Cherokee chief in Maryland who was joined by other relatives in walking the “Trail of Tears” into the Appalachian foothills. Vincent said she has taught her daughters about the respect Native Americans have for the land and wildlife.

“We’re here to help keep the earth green and the trees are important,” Theresa Vincent said. The family believes it’s important to “keep in touch with Mother Earth” in ways that include “recycling, reducing (energy consumption) and reusing” manmade products.

The sisters said Americans Indians have always respected the environment.

“It’s always been tradition for natives that if you take something away from the earth, you have to give it back – or give a blessing – so normally we would give tobacco or (in this case) plant trees,” Paige Vincent said. “We’re planting trees to give back to Mother Nature.”

The trees were purchased or donated by the U.P. EarthKeeper team, Superior Watershed Partnership, Holli Forest Products, the Forestland Group, Plum Creek Timber Company and Meister’s Greenhouses.

Some groups and individuals have donated money to help the tree project including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Western U.P. Chapter 30918 in Ironwood, MI.

The EarthKeepers is “focused on how the faith communities can work together” despite theological differences, said Northern Great Lakes Synod Lutheran Bishop Thomas A. Skrenes.

“Religious differences are a huge factor in many parts of life and certainly there are big differences between different religious communities,” said Bishop Skrenes, the head of 94 U.P. Lutheran congregations with 40,000 members.

Skrenes asked “where is it that we can find ways to work together?”

“Nature is one of those places and EarthKeepers has provided us the opportunity to again renew our relationship with people who are very different in some ways and yet very similar,” said Skrenes, an original signer of the EarthKeeper Covenant.

Volunteer Johnny Bryant delivered 3,000 seedlings – one fourth of the entire planting effort – from a Marquette warehouse to Messiah Lutheran Church that served as the Marquette County distribution center for 25 churches and temples.

In a parking lot of the Marquette distribution center, the trees were blessed by numerous other faith traditions as the seedlings were picked up including a Catholic and Jewish blessing.

After speaking in Hebrew, Dr. Michael Grossman, a member an Ishpeming Synagogue, translated what he had said into English and explained some of the Jewish beliefs about protecting the environment.

“We have blessings for everything in Judaism, so I just blessed the trees,” said Grossman, a member of Temple Beth Sholom in Ishpeming. “We are grateful to God for bringing trees from the earth – when we eat we bless the bread – when we drink wine we bless the fruit.”

“Trees are symbolic of life,” Grossman said. “Trees are very important in Judaism as I am sure they are important to all faith traditions.”

Grossman then planted the trees at several locations in west Marquette County and in the city of Negaunee with help from two employees from his office.

“We jumped at the chance to help plant the trees,” said Rachel Riley, 25, hile standing next to fellow volunteer Kim McCarthy, 35, both of Negaunee. After the long winter, “I’ve been meaning to get out and do some work.”

Gail Griffith of Marquette, the EarthKeeper Implementation Team co-chair, brought trees to her congregation at the Marquette Unitarian Universalist Church (MUUC).

The MUUC planted seedlings in a Memorial Garden on their property near Harvey, MI and other trees as a future noise buffer to the heavy M-28 traffic that passes by their meeting house. The MUUC donated some of their trees to youth projects including 30 seedlings to a 4-H group.

‘We had a blessing of the trees as part of our service,” Griffith said.

Powell Township students (above) in the first through fourth grades planted about 30 seeedlings donated by the UU congregation.

In Big Bay, MI, the first through fourth graders at Powell Township Schools planted about 30 of the UU trees at several locations including in the schoolyard and at near-by Perkins Park.

“The students really took on a great deal of empathy for the trees – they carefully placed them in the holes, tucked the dirt around, created moats, stood up the sticks,” said teacher Kathy Wright. “Most kids visit their trees faithfully, sometimes leaving little special rocks or giving the trees and extra drink.”

The students and teachers “thank the Unitarian Universalist congregation for the opportunity to connect with our Mother Earth, and for the vehicle to teach our kids about the value of trees and earth stewardship,” Wright said.

MUUC member Nancy Irish the planting was more fun than work.

“We were digging and watering,” Irish said. “We talked about how big they would be 20 years from now, and how we might drive by and remember the day that 12,000 trees were planted all across the U.P.”

Northern Michigan Quakers planted approximately 50 trees during the EarthKeeper project.

The Lake Superior Friends is one of two U.P. Quaker groups in northern Michigan (the other is Keweenaw Friends Meeting in Houghton).

David McCowen of Lake Superior Friends said at one of their recent meetings a seven-year-old girl said planting trees is one way to respect the planet.

“I think it is important to help the earth by planting trees, because it is giving and good for the earth,” the youngster said.

In accordance with their religion, the Quakers quietly support the EarthKeepers and seldom publicly discuss their daily actions that show respect for the earth, wildlife and people, McCowen said.

One of the basic testimonials of the Quakers is “Simplicity of Living,” McCowen said. “A modern outgrowth of that testimonial is care for the environment.”

“Being planters of the trees helps us personally take part in continuing that creation,” McCowen said. “Here in the UP it is easy to take trees for granted, but trees are a major part of the surroundings that we love.”

“The technical benefits of trees are well known: carbon sequestration, sound buffers, wind breaks, wildlife habitat, fuel source, cellulose fiber source,” McCowen said. “But faith communities have the privilege and responsibility of unselfishly considering the natural environment as being inherently desirable.”

Lake Superior Friends Meeting member Jim Smit of Harvey said that “stewardship of the earth finds its roots in the biblical account of creation.”

“Adam’s job was to cultivate a garden filled with beautiful trees that produced good fruit,” Smit said.

“Six times in the creation story the writer pauses to say that God looked at what he had made, and behold, it was very good,” Smit said, adding “the implication is that we are meant to celebrate the earth and protect it.”

Smit said an example of Quaker views on the environment was explained during the Faith and Practice book written based on the North Pacific Yearly Meeting that reads in part: “We are obliged to cherish the earth, and to protect all its resources in a spirit of humble stewardship, committed to the right sharing of these resources among people everywhere.”

“Friends use questions or queries to approach issues of faith, implying that each of us is a seeker after truth,” Smit said.

The Faith and Practice book from the Friends’ (Quaker’s) 1972 Philadelphia Yearly Meeting questioned human impact on the environment: “Are you concerned that our increasing power over nature should not be used irresponsibly but with reverence for life and with a sense of the splendor of God’s continuing creation?”

McCowen said passages in the Bible books of Genesis, Isaiah and Leviticus reflect the Quaker view on nature, land and the Earth:

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” – Genesis 1:31

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12

“Your land must not be sold on a permanent basis, because you do not own it; it belongs to God, and you are like foreigners who are allowed to make use of it.” – Leviticus 25:23

In Chocolay Township, seven-year-old Isabelle Gostomski was dressed in her finest Sunday dress as she and her father planted a seedling in their front yard.

“I got it from church and it’s a tree – today was my first communion and I got this for a present.” said Gostomski, the daughter of Jennifer and Greg Gostomski. The family attends St. Louis the King parish in Harvey, MI.

Several faith leaders gave examples how the tree is used in religion in both a literal way and in a figurative way as in the “tree of life.”

Whiling hosting a planting party on a Bahá`í holy day, Steve Lockwood showed the amateur foresters “some trees that he planted that are twenty years old and they were a lot taller than me,” said Eve McCowen, 12, about her fourth participation in a hands-on EarthKeeper environment project.

12-year-old Eve McCowen of Marquette, a veteran of several EarthKeeper projects, helps plant trees. (Photo by Dennis McCowen)

“I knew they (the seedlings) might be really big trees in 20 years,” said the home-schooled sixth grader who is more active in community projects than many of her public school peers including Girl Scouts, piano, cross-country skiing, being in the outdoors and always the enthusiastic Earth Keeper volunteer. She is the daughter of Dennis and Lisa McCowen of Marquette, MI.

Eve remembers well being a nine-year-old unloading cars and stacking broken computers almost a big as she was during the 2006 EarthKeeper Electronic (e-waste) Clean Sweep that garnered over 320 tons of e-waste across the Upper Peninsula.

The next year Eve dumped countless bags of old medicines and personal products like shampoo into the proper containers during the 2007 Earth Keeper Pharmaceutical Clean Sweep that saw over one ton of pills turned in by northern Michigan residents. The e-waste was recycled and the pharmaceuticals destroyed using EPA guidelines to ensure the medicines were not flushed only to end up in America’s drinking water.

The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá`ís of Marquette are among the congregations of over 100 churches and temples from ten faith traditions who planted 12,000 trees across 400 miles of northern Michigan during early May 2009.

“If we cut down all the trees there wont be any more trees,” Eve McCowen said. “The animals can’t live in nests in trees if there are no trees.”

Bahá`ís took turns using a heavy steel rod to poke planting holes in the soil and planted the seedlings,” she said. “After we put the tree in the ground and we put dirt around it.”

Eve said she realized that logging was necessary to provide paper for schools and wood to build homes, but added “some people just have fun cutting down tree.”

If you cut down a tree you have to replace a tree,” she said. “When you breathe we get oxygen from the trees and the trees pick up your carbon dioxide and turns it into oxygen.”

Trees and the environment are much more than a cause to Bahá`ís because “this world and nature is the embodiment of the name of God, the creator, the maker,” said Marquette Bahá`í local chair Dr. Rodney Clarken while explaining the Bahá`í faith to NMU students during the “Sacred Planet” series sponsored by the NMU Earth Keeper Student Team.

“When we look at nature, we see the name of God reflected in all of God’s creation – but in nature particularly we see that image of God in the same way we see the image of God in the human being,” Clarken told the students.

There are about 40 Bahá’ís in the Marquette area, 144,000 in the United States and six million around the world, said Clarken, the director of the NMU School of Education, associate dean of Teacher Education and professor.

Rev. Tesshin Paul Lehmberg, a Soto Zen Buddhist priest, told the NMU Sacred Planet forum how 2,500 years ago “the Buddha sat under a tree” called the Bodhi Tree until he discovered “the root of suffering – and how to rid one’s self of suffering.”

“The leaf of the Bodhi Tree is one of the symbols of Buddhism, said Lehmberg, head priest of Lake Superior Zendo, a Zen Buddhist temple in Marquette, MI. “It’s shaped a little bit like a poplar leaf but it’s got kind of a little tail – like a heart with a tail.”

“It’s said the descendants of this Bodhi Tree are still alive, probably because we want them to be alive. We want this connection between us and the Buddha 2,500 years ago,” said Lehmberg, who is also an English professor at Northern Michigan University.

“The natural world is very important in Buddhism, particularly in Zen,” said Lehmberg, the co-chair of the EarthKeeper Implementation Team.

Rev. Lehmberg told the forum a story about Dogen, a Japanese Monk who founded Zen Buddhism in the Thirteenth Century.

“When Dogen would dip water from a stream or a well to drink, he would always pour half of it back,” Lehmberg said. “He would pour half of it back as a sign of respect for the natural world, as a symbol that he is a part of the natural world and must treat that natural world with great care.”

Lehmberg said that “Lake Superior Zendo was honored to once again participate with other EarthKeeper congregations in this important work.”

“We must – we absolutely must – care for mother earth,” Lehmberg said.

“Human life, literally and figuratively, is inseparable from mother earth,” Lehmberg said. “We are inextricably threaded to her – in caring for her, we care for ourselves.”

Negaunee Township resident Ronald Heikkila spent several days this week planting 31 red pine seedlings around his home.

“What you do is to try not to get roots in their,” Heikkila said while planting tree number seven.

“Look at all the nightcrawlers,” Heikkila said “I can’t believe the quality of this soil – if you wanted to go fishing here would be the place to come.”

“I am going to get some good topsoil and put it in their – and if it rains a little bit, it’s going to settle the soil,” said Heikkila, his hands covered in black dirt.

On Sunday (May 3), eight Copper Country residents including two elementary school children, planted 12 trees in the 16-acre Calumet Township Waterworks Park on the shores of Lake Superior.

“We received permission from the Calumet township supervisor, Paul Lehto, to plant the trees,” said Susan Rokicki. “We gave three (seedlings) to township treasurer, Debra Aubin, to plant in her yard.”

“We supported the trees with sticks to keep them visible and safe,” Rokicki said. “We will return from time to time to see if our dozen need anything.”

A natural fit with the interfaith EarthKeepers, some of the planters are members of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist Network’s Copper Range district.

The three SGI members are Susan Rokicki, Jorge Kurita and Jean Larson; plus friends Margo McCafferty-Rudd, Joseph Mihal and Maureen Tobin, and children Max Rudd and Rebecca Naumenko.

The SGI Buddhist network “actively promotes peace, culture and education through personal transformation and social responsibility, originating in Japan,” said Rokicki, who is restoring a Norwegian Lutheran Church in Calumet and is a Lutheran church pianist/organist.

“We are one of the originators of the Earth Charter and the act of planting and dedicating trees is embedded in our tradition,” Rokicki said.

In Sault Ste. Marie, Father Bob Aldrich blessed seedlings at the St. James Episcopal Church. Some of the trees were planted in front of the church by by Father Aldrich with help from Rev. Larry Rice, deacon; and sexton David Cook, said Pam Briglio, the St. James office administrator.

In Escanaba, MI EarthKeeper volunteers – from the First Presbyterian Church and the Central United Methodist Church – separated and bagged 1,000 trees.

In Cornell, 100 red pines were planted Wednesday night (May 6) at a camp about 12 miles from Escanaba owned by Paul and Denise DeHaan, who are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba.

“We planted approximately 100 trees on an area of clear cut land,” said Presbyterian Earth Keeper Jill Martin of Ford River Township.

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Paul DeHann said his daughter Maggie “will remember planting these trees and come out here as an adult to see them quite a bit bigger.”

DeHann gave strict instructions his daughter that the planted area would now be off limits to ORVs because the trees needed protection to grow. Jill and her husband Hal Martin then walked along the Ford River to check out the water levels.

A member of First Presbyterian Church in Escanaba, Martin said on May 3 children at her church “planted three trees into planters in the sanctuary.”

Martin said a young girl jumped over a planted seedling so that when the tree was big she could say: “I jumped over that tree.”

“The message was that seedlings are like child trees, when we plant them, we nurture them and watch them grow up to be big and we love the kids and trees like crazy,” Martin said.

“Many people told me they were going straight out to camp or the farm to plant the trees,” Martin said.

A Presbyterian member of the EarthKeeper team, Martin said the project made her feel “like the tree lady this year.”

Martin said Monday (May 4) a young man playing tennis shouted out: “Hey, I planted my trees.”

“Many people paused in thought when I suggested that a Red Pine could live 400 years,” said Martin, an environmental scientist with Wilcox Professional Services in Escanaba. “It is a wonderful feeling when you know that 400 years into the future this simple act in God’s creation could still be here as testament to our faith.”

In Marquette, Lutheran Pastor Tim Bernard blessed the same group of trees three times on Sunday (May 3) during two services at Messiah Lutheran Church and one service at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

“These trees have been blessed three times which is a very Trinitarian number – they will grow profusely and abundantly,” Rev. Bernard joked at the final service evoking laughter from the congregation.

Dozens of second grade children ages 7 and 8 spent the week planting seedlings they were given Saturday (May 2) during a rehearsal of their first communion the next day at St. Michael Catholic Church in Marquette.

“Dear God, bless these trees in the name of all that is holy and divine – Amen,” said Rev. Monsignor John “Jed” E. Jenkins while forming the sign of the cross and sprinkling holy water on the seedlings that were then given to the children. “We sprinkle them with this holy water as a sign of the blessing.”

Giving trees to the St. Michael students to commemorate their first communion “is sponsored by our Christian Service Committee here at the parish,” said Sally Luft of Marquette, a committee member. “The committee sees to the needs of the concerns of our environment and of the needy among us.”

In Sagola, MI, a rainbow appeared over the Grace Presbyterian Church as about 30 EarthKeeper volunteers spent three hours bagging 1,500 seedlings.

The trees were blessed by Rev. David Anderson and then prepared to be delivered or picked up by seven other churches including Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian and a non-EarthKeeper but welcomed congregation – the Mission Covenant Church in Foster City.

The Presbyterian and Catholic volunteers in Sagola came in all ages and included three generations of one family. Young children were taught by adults how to properly bag the seedlings and as the night ended the kids scurried around the church picking up pine needles to help with the clean up.

Sue Piasini of Sagola said her two-year-old grandson Mason Anderson planted trees at his home in Felch and on Tuesday (May 5) outside her office at the North Dickinson Head Start Center.

“Mason put every tree into every whole he was told – he was so cute,” Piasini said. “He watered the trees with the watering can.”

Mason is the son of Fawn and Steve Anderson of Felch.

At the North Dickinson Nordic Head Start, students planted trees with help from preschool assistant classroom coordinator Mary Beth Schuiteman of Kingsford, MI and preschool classroom coordinator Sue Piasini.

Above photos by Alex Schuiteman

Schuiteman is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Piasini is a member of the Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola and was coordinator of the distribution of 1,500 trees to churches of several faiths in Dickinson County.

Schuiteman is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Piasini is a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Sagola and coordinated the distribution of 1,500 trees to numerous churches of various faiths in Dickinson County.

A group of volunteers planted several trees in Michigamme, MI at the United Methodist Church Camp Michigamme.

Late Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan Bishop James Kelsey was remembered at several events during the tree planting including at the Page Center. One of the bishop’s favorite places, the Kelsey Cottage is named in his honor at the recreation and retreat area in Little Lake, MI.

Members of the Episcopal Ministry Discernment Team representing the 27 congregations of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan gathered at the center on May 2 “for a time of reflection and fellowship.”

Two red pine trees were planted on either side of the main entry to the Kelsey cottage, one seedling was planted in memory of Bishop Kelsey, and the second as symbol of diocese renewal.

Members present included Nancy Auer, Judy Britton, Susan Harries, Mary Johnson, Kathy Lenten, Charlie Piper, Rayford Ray, Suzanne Ray, Sharon Stenglein, Mary Sullivan, and Bob Trautman.

Bishop Kelsey, one of the founders of the EarthKeepers and the first signer of the interfaith EarthKeeper Covenant, was killed in a June 2007 traffic accident that claimed two lives.

“I think he’d try to find a place for a tree in his own yard for one and he’d want to plant one at the Page Center at one at the office,” said Jane Cisluycis, Diocesan Operations Coordinator. “He’d be really pleased. Since his mantra was about inclusiveness, the fact that the circle is widening would have been really important to him.”

Kelsey would be “pleased that the EarthKeepers are getting stronger and continuing and more people are getting involved – it hasn’t stopped,” said Kathy Lenten a member of the diocese Episcopal Ministry Support Team.

The EarthKeeper Tree Project “had people of all ages and faiths working together towards another common goal; improving the Great Lakes environment that we live in,” said Lindquist, who co-founded the EarthKeeper Initiative with Rev. Jon Magnuson, the executive director of the nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute in Marquette.

“Every EarthKeeper project furthers the long term Great Lakes protection and restoration goals of the Superior Watershed Partnership,” Lindquist said.

The tree projects fits well with the goals of the Superior Watershed Partnership including its other projects like protecting water quality and preventing erosion, said Natasha Koss, Superior Watershed Partnership development director.

Trees are a “symbol of life and they represent something that is living and something we can easily put into the ground,” Koss said.

Trees are a sign “of how well the environment is doing,” said Larry Pagel, Messiah Lutheran Church congregation president. Humans “are connected to the earth through our trees.”

In addition to providing oxygen, trees have practical benefits like offering recreational opportunities including providing shade on a hot day, said Pagel, an NMU business professor.

That simple act of sitting under trees is a uniquely human desire that will be fulfilled for centuries to come because of the planting project, said Bishop Skrenes.

“Just think of the people that will sit under these trees, admire these trees, look at these trees and breathe the oxygen produced by these trees – just think of all those people for centuries ahead,” Skrenes said.

Experts say 12,000 mature trees absorb 3 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually and produce enough oxygen to support 24,000 humans.

EarthKeeper background:

This is the fifth year that the U.P. EarthKeepers have launched an Earth Day environment project.

From 2005-2007, over 15,000 U.P. residents turned in more than 360 tons of household hazardous waste at a dozen collection sites across the U.P. Most of the items were recycled and the remainder was properly disposed under federal guidelines including electronic waste (e-waste) like computers, monitors and printers plus cell phones, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, oil-based paint and vehicle batteries.

Last year the EarthKeepers provided a household energy conservation checklist that prevented over 3 million pounds of carbon from being released into the atmosphere, Lindquist said.

Related Links:

Interfaith EarthKeeper Team

Nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership

Nonprofit Cedar Tree Institute

This rainbow appeared late in the day on April 30, 2009 over the Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola as an interfaith group prepared seedlings for planting. It was taken by many as a sign that the 2009 interfaith EarthKeeper Tree Project was a good thing being done by people who care. (Photo by Jessica Schultz)

The 2009 Sacred Planet series sponsored by the Northern Michigan University EarthKeeper Student Team