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About the U.P. Project
OVERVIEW:
We are a small collective who has ownership of five acres of land in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We plan to develop this land in a way that challenges our current ideas about land value, ownership, community, necessity and survival. We will live on the land for a period of time every summer, starting in July, 2008. This blog functions in two ways: first, as a forum for the exchange of thoughts and ideas within the collective. Second, it will serve as a database (see the column on the right-hand side) of individuals, communities and organizations that have influenced the way this project takes its shape. We encourage suggestions and comments from the public. To leave a comment, click the comment link at the end of any blog post.
WHEN? Saturday, July 26-Friday, August 8, 2008
WHERE?
Ewen, MI (Upper Penisula)
WHO? Organizers: Margaret Coleman, Monica Johnson, Deborah Sosower Approximately 15-20 participants (by invitation only)
WHY?The urban environments from which we intend to retreat are highly unstable from an ecological perspective and can leave us feeling disconnected or ungrounded. It is our hope to construct a micro-community in a rural setting where natural environmental cycles are more apparent. Our focus is that we adapt our lifestyle to the needs of the land, rather than the opposite. As a collaborative team, we will be able to redefine ourselves through redefining what is necessary to our survival. Thought will be given to many definitions of survival, from physical and emotional to spiritual and even financial survival. In addition, we will reconsider what gives land its value, whether it is cost of real estate or the land's ability to produce commodities or simply its ability to protect us.HOW?
The first summer we will build living quarters and establish relationships with the Ewen community. We will consider ourselves hunters and gatherers of information about the land from environmental, historical and cultural viewpoints. Each participant is required to engage with and learn from the Ewen community through participating in activities such as, fishing, hunting, quilting, nature hikes, volunteering, etc. A requisite number of hours will be established. Overall, we will use our time in Ewen to create projects that acknowledge the value of the land. WE HAVE: - Five acres of land
- One cabin (approx. 12’ x 12’)
- One empty chicken coop
WHAT WE OFFER THE COMMUNITY:We will buy all building equipment & materials locally. We will give our respect to their way(s) of life even where it conflicts with our own.
WHAT WE OFFER PARTICIPANTS - Stipend (amount to be determined)
- Room & board
- Opportunity to experiment with new living strategies
- A page on our website to document the residency
- A quiet space to live and work
Getting to Know Michigan: Lake Gogebic
Lake Gogebic Facts:
It's the largest inland lake in Michigan
- 13,380 acres of prime fishing water, full of walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, jumbo perch and whitefish
- Deer, bear, small game and birds inhabit the surrounding forrest
- Within the boundaries of Ontonagon and Gogebic counties are many beautiful and breathtaking waterfalls. In the Autumn, the waterfalls are framed by maple crimson and aspen gold. In the winter, they create strange ice formations.
- Camping: Lake Gogebic State Park (a full service campground), Over I mile of lake frontage with 127 campsites and 200 picnic sites. Drinking water, sandy beach (no lifeguard), boat launch, fishing, flush toilets, shower building, sanitation station, electric hook-ups, playground, picnic shelter and hiking interpretive trail.
- Biking: The Upper Peninsula has the most biking trails in the state of Michigan. There are thousands of miles of back roads, bike trails, logging roads, snowmobile trails, and cross-country ski trails open to bikers, plus national and state forest trails. Our state highways have very little traffic, making them suitable for biking as well.
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