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AT THE INSTITUTE

Ace Pilot for Web Site LeClair Stoltmann, former production manager for publications, is the Institute's new Web editor. Her ambitious mission: to expand the site, mlui.org, into a leading resource on Michigan's land use issues. "I'm excited about it," she said. "We are looking at the site as one more way in which we can empower people to get involved in decisions about their community and environment." Since joining the Institute in February 1997, Lee has demonstrated a broad and uncanny range of versatility. She is a journalist, photographer, and designer, and for the past two years she has handled the layout and production of the Great Lakes Bulletinwith aplomb. She also is strong of heart, showing a willingness and talent for wrestling with finicky computer software, from complicated graphics to database management. So when the Web editor slot opened up, Lee was the natural choice to fill it. Web designers Eileen Ganter, J. Carl Ganter, and Shane Iseminger worked with the Institute staff throughout 1998 to devise a well-organized, uncluttered, and easily-navigable plan for the Web site. It is an electronic library of the Institute's projects, with news articles, press releases, and testimony, and a fully-searchable publications archive. Visitors can use the site to find out about other organizations involved in similar issues, and directly contact their legislators and the Institute staff. An added convenience is that publications such as the Great Lakes Bulletinand special reports are posted and printable exactly as they were published, which means that current and potential members can easily catch up on what they may have missed. Keep checking in on this site — with Lee at the helm, you'll see it become even more interesting and user-friendly nearly every day.

© Michigan Land Use Institute LeClair Stoltmann

New Grants Awarded The Institute received the following grants since the update in the last issue of the Great Lakes Bulletin. The staff and Board of Directors wish to express their deepest appreciation to these organizations: May — The Michigan Environmental Council, $3,000 for publication of the Great Lakes Bulletin. June — The Oleson Foundation, $2,000 for Celebrate Historic Sleeping Bear, a three-day event held to build support for preserving historic buildings in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. June — The Wege Foundation, $5,000 to support rebuilding urban neighborhoods in Kent County. June — The Clannad Foundation, $3,000 for Celebrate Historic Sleeping Bear and a 15-minute video promoting the message of the grassroots group Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.

Stupendous Spring Events

It was a busy spring as the Institute kicked off our annual marathon of events, beginning with the "BearthDay Bash" on April 30. About 200 members and friends came to the Cabbage Shed restaurant in Elberta and danced to the high-energy rhythm and blues music of the Fabulous Horn Dogs band. On May 6 grizzly bear expert and noted author Doug Peacock attracted more than 200 people to the lodge at Twin Lakes Camp outside Traverse City. He held the audience spellbound with his delightful and heartfelt descriptions of wildlife and the need to preserve remote wilderness places. Then on May 21, the Institute co-sponsored a public meeting featuring John Norquist, mayorof Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He detailed for about 100 Traverse City-area residents and public officials his successful efforts to curb sprawl, preserve historic buildings, and rejuvenate his city.

© Michigan Land Use Institute (L-R), Jack Gyr, Florence Barone, and Jamey Barnard at the April party celebrating the Institute's fourth "BearthDay."

Courtesy ofJohn O. Norquist John Norquist, "New Urbanist" mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

© Michigan Land Use Institute Alicia Harrison had a chance to chat with grizzly bear expert Doug Peacock after his speech and film presentation.