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The Superior Watershed Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the rivers and watersheds of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Superior Watershed Partnership, formerly known as the Central Lake Superior Watershed Partnership, implements a variety of environmental and stream restoration projects including dam removals, habitat restoration, native plant re-introduction and shoreline stabilization. The Partnership also provides technical, educational and monitoring assistance on a variety of Great Lakes protection initiatives with emphasis on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
The Superior Watershed Partnership has received numerous state and national awards and has been recognized by Michigan's Governor Granholm, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada and the Lake Superior Binational Program as a leader in watershed protection for the Lake Superior Basin and the headwaters region of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
The Partnership was also instrumental in establishing the Central Lake Superior Land Conservancy, a regional land trust protecting thousands of acres of terrestrial and aquatic habitat in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Superior Watershed Partnership is to protect and improve the natural resources of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on a watershed basis; by promoting responsible individual and community actions that ensure a sustainable environment, encourage a sustainable economy and help improve quality of life.
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What We Do:
- Watershed and Land Use Planning: The SWP provides comprehensive watershed planning and land use recommendations that protect water quality, preserve important habitat and improve quality of life.
- Great Lakes Protection and Research: Implement projects that improve Great Lakes water quality and conduct research on fish populations, invasive species and other Great Lakes water quality issues.
- Land Conservation and Habitat Protection: Promote the permanent protection of high quality lands and important habitat through conservation easements and other land management practices.
- Public Education and Landowner Assistance: Provide public education (workshops, newsletters, presentations, media spots, etc.) addressing important, regional environmental issues. Provide one-on-one technical assistance to private and pubic landowners.
- River Restoration and Dam Removals: The SWP implements a variety of stream protection and aquatic habitat restoration projects including the removal of large dams and restoring miles of free flowing rivers.
- Earth Keepers Initiative: The US Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the SWP and The Cedar Tree Institute for the Earth Keepers; a uniquely effective environmental initiative that involves over 135 congregations from 50 U.P. communities and 9 different faiths. Another way to get involved!
- Stream Monitoring and Field Inventories: The SWP conducts stream monitoring and inventories to assess the health of local rivers and watersheds and to help prioritize protection and restoration projects.
- Sustainable Economic Development: The SWP is a leader is promoting nature based tourism; involving tourists and local residents in "adopting" the watersheds they love and providing unique tools like the aerial Lake Superior shoreline viewer.
- Pollution Prevention: The SWP works with the public, local units of government and business to prevent pollution and reduce waste. Recent record-breaking examples include collecting 40 tons of household hazardous waste, 300 tons of electronic waste and dramatically reducing in mercury levels. The SWP is also instrumental in preventing non-sustainable, potentially hazardous activities such as sulfide based mining.
- Youth Programs and Environmental Education: Each year the SWP works with youth groups, schools, Northern Michigan University and the general public providing a wide variety of environmental education and hands-on conservation opportunities. Call for more information!
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