U.P. Voices of Support

“This designation can help preserve these wilderness areas in perpetuity and prevent future development while continuing to provide the same recreational opportunities that can be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts in these tracts today. Michigan and the nation need undisturbed wilderness areas to preserve our outdoor heritage and identity for generations to come. Once a wilderness area is lost, it can never be reclaimed”

~Travis White, Owner, Keweenaw Charter Fishing Co.

“Designating these areas as federal Wilderness reinforces the values we hold in the UP, that our land and waters are pristine and valued as such. It is essential to both the culture and the environment in the U.P. that we retain and protect as much of our pristine natural landscape as possible for future generations. These future generations deserve to know and understand the beauty and power held in the UP's landscapes.”

~Jane Fitkin, Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior, Marquette, MI

“Birds are under threat from loss of forests and habitat. Protect our birds!”

~Dana Richter, Copper County Audobon

“People become connected to the land in the U.P.: communities, businesses, co-ops, families, couples, all sprout out of their love of the wilderness. The dense rolling forests, the citadels of black cragged rock, the hidden waterfalls tucked away in her hinterlands; the Upper Peninsula is inspiring because of her wild beauty, not because of the resources that compose that beauty. We should protect what we can.”

~Gabriel Ahrendt, co-founder Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action, Hancock, MI

One of the things that attracted me to the UP and the state of Michigan was all of the natural beauty which had been preserved. Expanding protected lands will allow more exploration in the form of outdoor recreation while also fostering growth of wildlife, which I am all for. We need to be taking steps to protect our wildlife in this time of crisis.”

~Lucas Sheppard, Hancock, MI

“As a student at Michigan Tech, in the heart of the Keweenaw, I fully support expanding wilderness in the U.P. The best part of living in the U.P. is the fact it is easy to enjoy the outdoors because there is so much access. I chose to come to Michigan Tech because it was one of the only schools that allowed me to be in a location where I could connect with nature easily. I would love to see more land protected here so that others in the future can find peace in the outdoors the way I do now.”

~Emily Bergman, Michigan Tech, Houghton, MI

“We need to protect our lands. Further commercialization of the UP would not bring economic success to this area but would instead damper one the major industries here. This major industry is outdoor recreation. Allowing these places to remain uninterrupted by unsustainable and often dangerous industries we can maintain the UP as a place where people can come to hike, snowshoe, and enjoy the environment.”

~Grace Murray, Houghton, MI

“I am supporting the expansion of wilderness because it benefits the ecosystem, and the communities that would like to use these places for sustainable recreation.”

~Ila Swier, Houghton, MI