Lauren Blosser, middle, a nursing student at Northern Michigan University, receives a certificate of environmental excellence and a $500 award for her volunteer work with local organization Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior nonprofit that opposes plans for an industrial rocket launch site near Thoney Point in Powell Township on Tuesday. CSCLS Director of Outreach Cait Sternberg and CSCLS President Dennis Ferraro present the award. The CSCLS presents this annual award to recognize local middle and high school students for helping to protect Lake Superior’s coastal habitat from industrialization. (Diary photo by Christie Matric)
MARQUETTE — Lauren Blosser, a third-year nursing student at Northern Michigan University, received a certificate of environmental excellence from Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior, a local group that opposes the proposed site of industrial rocket launch near Thoney Point in Powell Township.
In July 2020, days after the launch plan was announced, Blosser launched a Change.org petition that has now collected signatures from over 25,000 people who oppose the rocket plan.
Opponents of the Powell Township rocket launch are concerned about potential noise and environmental issues.
“I have never been recognized like this” Blosser said during an awards ceremony Tuesday at Campfire CoWorks in Marquette.
She also admitted to being protective of the local environmental issue, having lived near several Great Lakes.
Blosser grew up in Escanaba, which means she grew up on Lake Michigan. She moved to the Lake Superior area about six years ago.
“It is very important for me” said Blosser, who told CSCLS representatives at the ceremony, “I am also very happy that you have started this non-profit organization.”
CSCLS President Dennis Ferraro said: “I think it’s really inspiring that a young student like Lauren is motivating so many people to sign the petition, and she’s inspired us to have our own petition, which we’re addressing to local, state and federal authorities.”
Last year, Blosser began volunteering and coordinating his efforts with those of the CSCLS. As a result of her efforts, the CSCLS has indicated that they will be launching a more targeted petition on their website at citizenforasafeandcleanlakesuperior.org.
The CSCLS asked Blosser to prepare a short essay describing her background as a resident of the Upper Peninsula and explaining why she was motivated to actively oppose the rocket launch proposal.
Being born in UP sparked memories of outdoor activities, she noted in the essay.
“Born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, my earliest memories are filled with running through the wild woods surrounding my family home,” Blosser wrote. “These adventures were filled with climbing trees, building forts, catching frogs and camping under the stars. Many of these adventures were filled with life lessons, including the most important lesson, protection of these natural areas.
“Growing up surrounded by this environment, I had the good fortune to learn from Anishinaabe friends how to coexist with the world around us. I began to realize that the world was not meant to be dominated, but to walk side by side. Because of these principles ingrained in me since childhood, I knew as soon as I heard about the rocket launch site that something had to be done. It’s easy to sit back and assume someone will take action on a problem. However, from this perspective, it is too easy for problems to go unnoticed. »
She immediately started working on the Change.org petition, and said she was “surprised” by the support of local and Midwestern residents as well as “general stewards of the land”.
After seeing this support, Blosser moved on to the next phase of action.
“A petition is nothing without a coincidental action”, she wrote. “I was thrilled to hear about a local group called Citizens for a Safe & Clean Lake Superior. This group was able to help me compile my list of signatures to use for other actions.
“I am incredibly grateful to the other members of this community who care about the environment around them. These big CEOs and presidents of corporations in pursuit of money and fame can sting the locals with “not in my backyard” nonsense all they want, but we will continue to fight for these lands. Like the welcoming but terrifying and strong waters of Lake Superior, we will always be the protectors of its waters.
In addition to his volunteer work with CSCLS, Blosser is also a board member of Community Action Alger-Marquette. After graduating from NMU, she plans to work as a hospice nurse and with the geriatric community.
The Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association’s plan for the facility, part of the Michigan Launch Initiative, was announced in 2020. The Powell Township site, if built, would be part of the spaceport that would include a horizontal launch site south of Oscoda-Wurtsmith State. Airport, with operations for both sites supported by a command and control center in Chippewa County.
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