top of page
love%2C%20peace%2C%20and%20joy%20(2)_edi

No plans this month! Get outside, do good, & be healthy! 

NMU%20Conservation%20Crew%20Newsletter%2

We are switching up the news section this month to give you a podcast recommendation

​

This podcast is about one of the things that really changes the world... Mycorrhizal Fungi, the lifeblood of all forest and gardens. 

​

​

Enjoy!  

NMU%20Conservation%20Crew%20Newsletter%2

This month, we would like to introduce you to some wacky facts behind Christmas... Here we go! 

​

​

Did you know that Fraser Firs that are not picked to reside in houses during Christmas can grow between 30 to 50 feet tall? 

​

Did you know that Santa would have to make over 7,000 deliveries per second in order to get everyone gifts?

​

Did you know that if Santa were to consume cookies at all the millions of homes he would consume over 3 billion calories, which is almost four years worth of calories? It's no wonder he's so fat! 

​

​

We hope you have a lovely Christmas and enjoy your cookies and trees! 

Bird
Christmas Decoration

Sustainable Christmas

Coming up with meaningful Holiday gifts can be tough, especially low-waste holiday gifts!  Your friends at the Conservation Crew have your back!  We're here to share some specific gift ideas to satisfy any budget!  

1.  Virtual Memberships and Adoptions!

​

      Similar to naming a star after your significant other, there are tons of opportunities to symbolically adopt endangered species such as whales, koala bears, tigers, giraffes, and countless other creatures.  Locally, you can adopt an acre of U.P conservation land from the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy in someone's name for an entire year and you will even receive the GPS coordinates for that acre!  Or, you could name a loved one a steward of the Yellowdog Watershed Preserve!  Check out their websites to easily find out how to complete the process!  

2.  Sustainable Products!

​

      This idea might seem kind of vague, lets explain!  Consider buying (or making) a loved one who might not be so environmentally-aware some sustainable products for Christmas to kick start their interest in sustainability!  Reusable grocery bags or tote bags, a nice reusable water bottle or coffee mug, reusable silicone bags, or silicone baking sheets are just some low-waste staples that could really help kick start someone's sustainability journey!  Bamboo toilet paper from "Who Gives a Crap", reusable makeup removed pads, or a bamboo toothbrush could make great stocking stuffers also!  

3.  DIY "Tub Teas"

​

    This is perfect for anyone who needs to relax!  Below are three recipes, but feel free to get creative and combine your favorite teas and essential oils!  

Chamomile Oatmeal Tub Tea

​

1 cup Dried Oats (ground in blender)

1 cup Epsom salts

6 packets of Chamomile Tea 

10 drops Chamomile Essential Oil

White Rose Milk Bath

​

1 cup Epsom Salts

6 packets of White Rose Tea bags

1 cup Powdered Milk

Green Tea Detox

​

1 cup Bentonite Clay

1 cup Epsom salts

6 packets Jasmine Green Tea

      This is an all-natural way to relax in the tub and the majority of these ingredients can be bought at any place that sells bulk food!  Simply cut open the contents of the tea bag and layer the ingredients into a 12 oz mason jar to reach the desired appearance such as the picture below!

*Bonus: Buy mason jars from resale stores, there are always tons!  New lids can be purchased at almost any grocery store.  Other repurposed glass jars would work just fine also!

PXL_20201128_200952413.jpg

4.  5 Bean Soup Mix

​

     This gift is perfect for even the hardest people on your gift list, who doesn't love hot soup on a cold winter night?  Here is a recipe for Five Bean Soup, but get creative and make your own recipe!  

​

1/3 cup dried Great Northern Beans

1/3 cup dried Black Beans

1/3 cup dried Green Peas

1/3 cup Kidney Beans

1/3 cup Pinto Beans

1 teaspoon Dry Mustard

1 teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon dried Minced Onions

1 Tablespoon Oregano

1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder

1 Bay Leaf

1 teaspoon Rosemary

1 Veggie Bouillon Cube 

PXL_20201128_201012231.jpg

     Add all the dried ingredients to a 12 oz mason jar, layering whoever you'd like with the Bouillon cube wrapped on top.  Include a note with the cooking instructions for the recipient.  To cook, combine with a 14oz can of diced tomatoes and 5 cups of water.  Bring everything to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 90 minutes.  Remove the bay leaf before eating!  

5.  Reusable Hand Warmers

​

     This gift will be sure to get tons of use from any of your Yooper friends!  Here's what you'll need:  

​

2 4.5 inch pieces of fabric, preferably flannel or cotton

(use an old shirt or purchase a shirt from a resale shop!)

~2 cups of rice (purchase from a bulk food store using your own container!)

Embroidery floss and a needle or a sewing machine

​

     Sew the two fabric squares together approximately 1/4 inch away from the edge and with the wrong sides of the fabric facing outward.  Leave ~1 inch opening to pour the rice in.  Flip the bag inside out (technically right-side in).  Use a funnel or a piece of paper rolled into a cone shape to fill the bags 2/3 of the way with rice.  *Optional, add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil to the rice.  Sew the whole shut!  To use these hand warmers, simply microwave for 1-2 minutes!  

451e539b438e4f6789abb8d74f1e454f.jpg
09D5EB58-19C9-48C9-A327-AB8AA70E9D3B_edi

We all successfully made it through our first full COVID semester of college, and for that we should be proud! Last month was a chill one for the crew, and hopefully not too hectic for you either. We did some trail maintenance, had more restrictions put on us and did some minor housekeeping on the inside. 

We can't wait to share more amazing stuff with you all once we are back on campus... but here's a teaser for what's to come :) 

​

​

​

We are looking for a new Co-Leader to take over for our lovely leader Jacklyn! 

​

We got a university email, so we are more legit now! 

​

The mural we all got so excited about is going to come to fruition! 

​

We have some new highlights that will be appearing on our instagram, and we hope that you will learn as much as we have! 

​

8824506F-EF6F-4197-B6A4-A72B737312EA_edi

A playlist for you, the environmentally conscious college student? 

​

Yes! 

Playing the Flute

Chocolate & Mixed Nuts

Read This! 

Screen Shot 2020-12-01 at 11.11.24 AM.pn

* this book is available at the NMU bookstore, and is highly recommended!

*Also, highly recommend taking a NAS course with Aimee Cree Dunn :)

Put this on your wishlist!

Screen Shot 2020-12-01 at 11.14.10 AM.pn

Soapbottle makes zero waste liquid soap containers that are also used as soap once emptied! No waste! So fricken cool! 

Enjoy this video made by:

@martynakoleniec  on IG

​

Pink Airy Instagram Quote.png
bottom of page