Wilderness campaign aims to Keep the U.P. Wild

More than 60 organizations and businesses throughout Michigan have united to
Keep the U.P. Wild.

The group wants a wilderness designation for four pieces of public land in the U.P. The designation would make the Trap Hills, Elcho Area, Norwich Plains, and an extension of the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area federally protected.

“The past year has shown that people value wilderness,” said Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition President Horst Schmidt. “We need to have green in our lives.”

Wilderness designation helps preserve the land and can benefit states’ economies as well.

The International Journal of Wilderness says more than 9 billion dollars can be attributed to these wilderness areas nationwide.

Congressional approval is needed to complete a wilderness designation. Schmidt recommends writing to your senator or other representatives to support the campaign.

For additional information, visit Keep the UP Wild.