Hi folks,

Here are two recent media stories to bring you up to date on our fight:
 

• This recap from Bridge Michigan details the current status of the proposed Michigan grant to Wakefield Township / Copperwood and is a refreshing example of balanced journalism.
• This exposé from the Economic Development Responsibility Alliance of Michigan reveals a potential conflict of interest afoot in the forces claiming “universal local support” for the proposed mine.

You might consider sending some of the details from that second story to the relevant decision-makers (see "top targets list") currently weighing the $50 million Michigan grant to Wakefield Township to enable the Copperwood Mine.
 
Current Action Points
 
September 30th is the Michigan budget deadline, so we must continue to keep up pressure through the rest of August and September. If you haven’t already, please take just five minutes to complete these two fast action forms:
 

• Letter opposing MICHIGAN FUNDING, to be sent immediately to the MI Senate/House Appropriations Committees and Speaker Matt Hall
• Letter opposing FEDERAL FUNDING, to be sent immediately to the relevant committees, agencies, and lawmakers (NOTE: this action continues to be relevant after September 30th)
   

To reach out to lawmakers directly and find more ways to help, please visit our Take Action page.
 
Announcing the Protect the Porkies Photo Contest!
 
Protect the Porkies needs more photographic material to improve the quality of the media we release, because beautiful representations of Nature are crucial for the effective communication of our message. So, we’re holding a contest!
 
Whether or not you want to participate in the contest, please consider sending us some photos — we will credit you fully every time we use them in social media, on the website, and elsewhere. This is a great chance to support the campaign in a meaningful way, as well as to get your photos to a wider audience — symbiosis at its finest!
 
We are seeking submissions in the following categories:
 

• Spring in the Porkies
• Summer in the Porkies
• Autumn in the Porkies
• Winter in the Porkies
• Lake Superior
• Animal Portrait (insects are animals too!)
• Plant / Fungi Portrait (let’s not forget mosses, liverworts, and lichens)
• Night Scene
• Outdoor Recreation (humans in Nature)
   

As you’ll see, a few of the categories are specific to the Porcupine Mountains, but entries in the others need only be from a similar environment in the North Woods.
 
Every contestant may submit up to three photos in each category. You may send additional photos for the campaign’s use, but please specify which are specifically for the contest.
 
You can mail them to ProtectThePorkiesContest@gmail.com
 
Full details here. Deadline: Friday, September 12th.

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All for now!
 
In solidarity,

 
Tom and the Protect the Porkies team



 
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