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:
  1. Five acres of land
  2. One cabin (approx. 12’ x 12’)
  3. 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
  1. Stipend (amount to be determined)
  2. Room & board
  3. Opportunity to experiment with new living strategies
  4. A page on our website to document the residency
  5. A quiet space to live and work


Tuesday, February 26, 2008

See & Hear the U.P.

Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Species of Trees in Ontonagon County, MI

ONTONAGON COUNTY - 752,500 acres of forest
1. Sugar Maple
(Acer saccharum)		 8. Black Ash
(Fraxinus nigra)		 15. Musclewood
(Carpinus caroliniana)		 22. Red Oak
(Quercus rubra)		 29. Pin Cherry
(Prunus pensylvanica)
2. Quaking Aspen
(Populus tremuloides)		 9. White Spruce
(Picea glauca)		 16. Black Spruce
(Picea mariana)		 23. Mountain Maple
(Acer spicatum)		 30. Tamarack
(Larix laricina)
3. Red Maple
(Acer rubrum)		 10. Hemlock
(Tsuga canadensis)		 17. American Elm
(Ulmus americana)		 24. Choke Cherry
(Prunus virginiana)		 31. Balm-of-Gilead
(Populus balsamifera)
4. Balsam Fir
(Abies balsamea)		 11. White Ash
(Fraxinus americana)		 18. Red Pine
(Pinus resinosa)		 25. Hawthorne
(Crataegus spp.)		 32. Striped Maple
(Acer pensylvanicum)
5. Ironwood
(Ostrya virginiana)		 12. Paper Birch
(Betula papyrifera)		 19. Bigtooth Aspen
(Populus grandidentata)		 26. Others
 33. Silver Maple
(Acer saccharinum)
6. Yellow Birch
(Betula alleghaniensis)		 13. Black Cherry
(Prunus serotina)		 20. Green Ash
(Fraxinus pennsylvanica)		 27. Boxelder
(Acer negundo)		 34. Slippery Elm
(Ulmus rubra)
7. Basswood
(Tilia americana)		 14. Cedar
(Thuja occidentalis)		 21. White Pine
(Pinus strobus)		 28. Jack Pine
(Pinus banksiana)		 35. Rock Elm
(Ulmus thomasii)
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)