overview
Who are the Earth Keepers?
In 2004, the Superior Watershed Partnership, in collaboration with the Cedar Tree Institute, brought together leaders from 9 different faiths in one room to discuss protecting the earth. The faiths included:
- Roman Catholic
- Lutheran
- Episcopal
- Presbyterian
- Jewish
- United Methodist
- Baha'i
- Unitarian Universalist
- Quaker (added in 2009)
- Zen Buddhist
The faith leaders signed a covenant stating: "In conviction of the Goodness of Creation, the undersigned spiritual leaders and Bishops of our faith communities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula make a commitment to the stewardship and protection of the natural environment in the Great Lakes Basin." Click here for the full Earth Keeper Covenant.
Currently, over 140 congregations from 50 U.P communities participate in the Earth Keeper Coalition. For a complete list of participating EK churches click here. Don't see your church on this list? Ask your faith leaders about being a Earth Keeper church!
Currently, over 140 congregations from 50 U.P communities participate in the Earth Keeper Coalition. For a complete list of participating EK churches click here. Don't see your church on this list? Ask your faith leaders about being a Earth Keeper church!
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Each year around Earth Day, the Earth Keepers UP-wide collectively act to protect the earth. It started in 2005 with the household hazardous waste collection. At over 20 sites across the UP over 45 tons of HHW was collected and properly disposed. Then in:
- 2006: 320 tons of e-waste collected
- 2007: over a ton of old and discarded pharmaceuticals collected
- 2008: over 3 million lbs of carbon reduced by making household efficiency changes
- 2009: 12,000 trees planted
- 2010: 30,000 free CFLs given away
The Earth Keepers have become a nation-wide model for environmental action that has been recognized by Michigan's Governor Granholm, the State of the Lakes Ecosystem panel, and the US Environemtal Protection Agency. Through the EPA's Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program, Earth Keepers have made large strides. Click here for a summary of CARE's commitment to EK.
The above photo shows the 2006 E-waste collection in Houghton.
Earth Keepers received the Lake Superior Magazine Achievement Award in 2007.
