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Celebrating Lake Superior--Binational Forum bestows 3 local awards

August 2, 2011

By STACEY KUKKONEN - The Daily Mining Gazette

ASHLAND, Wis. - A number of local Copper Country programs and people were recipients of the Binational Lake Superior program Environmental Stewardship Awards in Ashland, Wis.
Three of nine winners were from Michigan. The local winners include Alex Mayer, a professor at Michigan Technological University, Green Campus Enterprise at Michigan Tech and the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, coordinated by the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education.

Lissa Radke, the U.S. coordinator for the Lake Superior Binational Forum, said the awards program pays tribute to U.S. and Canadian nominees who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship through leadership in one of six categories, including youth, individual adult, business, industry and municipality, organization or first nation/tribe.

Radke said each recipient was chosen for different reasons. Mayer was awarded for his "outstanding accomplishments on a stream restoration project." Mayer spent almost eight years bringing sections of the long-abused Huron Creek in Houghton to a more natural state.

"The Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative is a huge partnership between local school districts and community programs," she said.

The Green Campus Enterprise at Michigan Tech received honors for engaging students in sustainability, including reducing the MTU's carbon footprint, developing sustainability projects and providing outreach.

"There were six judges, three from each country, who were looking for groups and individuals who have demonstrated over time they are doing significant work that improves the Lake Superior environment," Radke said.

The winners, she said, not only displayed care over time, but are also working to prepare the next generation of Lake Superior users.

Awards were given July 17 in Superior, WI, during Lake Superior Day festivities.

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