Dispatches from the Field & Project Summaries
Midwest Expedition: Day 2, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
June 30, 2011
A local Ojibwe legend tells of a Great Spirit who trapped an enormous beaver in a sea cave on the shores of Lake Superior. When the beaver escaped into the water, the spirit was so enraged that he threw rocks from the shoreline after the retreating animal. The rocks that landed on the lake created what we know today as the Apostle Islands. Like the Ojibwe people centuries before, the cultural ties and preservation of these islands continues to hold strong. But today they have a new defender – the National Parks Service.
“I have the best job in the world.” Bob Krumenaker is standing in front of the historic NPS building in downtown Bayfield. Bob acts as Superintendent of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; a position he’s held for the past 9 years. Arguably, there’s no greater authority on the region’s natural and cultural resources. The NPS is charged with preserving the 21 islands that make up the Apostle archipelago in addition to the mainland’s 12-mile strip of scenic lakeshore; a responsibility Bob doesn’t take lightly. “The legislation that dictates what we do is all about conserving for the enjoyment of future generations,” said Bob. “While sustainability is a relatively recent term, the idea of sustaining things over a very long period of time…. well, that’s just what we do.”
In terms of sustainable initiatives, the folks at the NPS are really getting their hands dirty. They’re going beyond preservation and getting involved in research, environmental restoration and current global issues like climate change.
“Climate change is not some abstract thing,” said Bob. “People tend to think it’s about the coastal regions and sea levels, polar bears, mountains and glaciers. And while it is about those things, it’s also about this place. “ Water temperatures in Lake Superior are increasing at twice the normal rate. This generates a significant decline in lake level and means big impacts on the local ecosystems; an environment that relies on “things being cold”. Currently, the NPS is trying to limit their impact by minimizing the use of fossil fuels. From boats to lighthouses, they’re reverting to “a more primitive style of operations”.
Of course, none of these initiatives would be possible without the unwavering support of the local Bayfield community. “There’s a real synergy here,” he said. “Where people care deeply about each other and the environment.” This shared value has allowed the NPS to carry out its long-term preservation goals. “We can lend our name and our stature of being a National Park but we’re not pulling people along. We are part of a community effort and that’s very rewarding for us.”
Midwest Expedition: Day 1, The Heartland
June 29, 2011
The journey begins. 20 miles outside of Minneapolis, the sky turns a concrete grey. A few shafts of sunlight manage to sneak their way out of the accumulation of clouds, but the forecast doesn’t look promising. A sign of inclement weather ahead? Perhaps. But for now, it’s the furthest thing from our minds. After a 3am wake-up and a string of commercial flights, we’ve arrived in The Heartland – America’s Midwest. Team GLP is back on the road again and boy, does it feel good! The gear is packed and expectations are high as we set out to document a new batch of sustainability projects across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
At the helm of Green Living Project’s 3rd domestic Expedition is our fearless leader, Rob Holmes. Tagging along are a couple of alumni crew including cameraman Chris Low and GLP production supervisor Matt Weatherly. We’ve thrown some newbies in to the mix as well. On this trip, we’re joined by Chris Cella, an audio specialist from LA (via Georgia, Florida and Tennessee) and yours truly, Jenny Ersbak – writer, production assistant, and solo female in charge of whatever needs doing.
The road stretches east as we cross the Minnesota state line in to Wisconsin and we immediately find ourselves surrounded by vibrant green. Tall grass meadow and spindly birch and pine trees straddle the highway on either side while colorful lupine sporadically dot the landscape. Aside from a few modest homes, we are alone in this quintessential Midwest wildland. Our vehicles point north as they obediently follow the gentle arch of Highway 13 and Wisconsin’s Bayfield Peninsula. The radio catches the final verse of Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane” and the tires respond with a rhythmic hum as we push toward the evening’s final destination – the state’s premiere eco-accommodation, Pinehurst Inn, and the historic lakeshore town of Bayfield, WI. As the sun dips behind a silhouette of branches, the crew is eager to settle in. Our hosts, Nancy and Steve Sandstrom, greet us with warm smiles and an assortment of local grub. Tomorrow we’ll begin to uncover the pulse of this tiny community – its commitment to sustainability and its unique relationship with Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
