Nicole L. Bloom
May 11, 1980 - June 21, 2003

This memorial provides ESC’s remembrance of Nicole Bloom for all of her environmental initiatives on Michigan Tech’s campus. Nicole graduated Summa Cum Laude from Michigan Tech in May of 2003 with two Bachelor’s of Science degrees in Biological Sciences and Environmental Engineering. Nicole was not only an excellent student, but also a very passionate person for serving and saving our environment.

At Michigan Tech, she was a leader of the student organization SAVE (Students Against Violating the Environment). SAVE went inactive after Nicole left Michigan Tech, and was revived under the new name and branch of the ESC – Students for Environmental Sustainability (SfES). SAVE’s, now SfES’s, sole responsibility is to plan and execute Earth Week activities on Michigan Tech’s campus annually. Nicole led the coordination of Earth Week activities for the campus and community to enjoy in the years 2001 through 2003. During Nicole’s time, some activities included inspirational speakers like Stephanie Mills and Katie Alvord, presentations by regional conservation organizations, and tours of energy efficient homes in the Keweenaw. Nicole was a charter member of the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC). Nicole was instrumental in establishing the Paper Recycling Program at MTU. She exemplified the need for such a program though a petition signed by nearly 2,000 students desiring paper recycling at Michigan Tech. She assisted the ESC’s Recycling Subcommittee in development and initiation of the program. Nicole also motivated students to volunteer at the monthly paper drop-off.

Bethany Baibak (Husky Tae Kwon Do & ESC member) and Alexis Troschinetz (ESC member) organized a memorial service on Michigan Tech’s campus that took place on September 20, 2003. The memorial began with an opening by Dr. John Adler, the Departmental Chair of Biological Sciences. Then, memories and tributes were shared through letter reading by those that could not attend and those present. Jason Grubb read a letter written by Pete Koepfgen and Bethany Baibak read one by Alexis Troschinetz. Dr. Janice Glime described “Nicole, as a student…” Jackie Camelet, Nicole’s mother, was awarded Nicole’s two degrees by Dr. Adler and Dr. Kurt Paterson, Professor of Environmental Engineering. A Pagoda Dogwood Tree (Cornus a lternifolia) was planted in the Dow Courtyard and accompanied by a memorial stone. Dr. Glime and Dr. Leah Vucetich offered a dedication of the tree to Nicole. The memorial service was concluded with a closing by Bethany Baibak.

We urge you to read more about this wonderful woman at the following websites:

1. Boyd-Pike Funeral Home Obituary
http://www.webfh.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=19897&fh_id=10315
2. Keweenaw Now Article
http://www.keweenawnow.com/views/ross_nicole_bloom_03_06/ross_nicole_bloom.htm
3. North Woods Conservancy Tribute
http://www.northwoodsconservancy.org/nicole.htm
4. The Blog of Death Website
http://www.blogofdeath.com/archives/000028.html
5. The Morning Report – U.S. National Park Service
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/morningreport/morningreportold.cfm?date=07/02/2003

If you would like to offer a donation in memory of Nicole, the following five organizations that Nicole was heavily involved in the Keweenaw:

1. SfES – Students for Environmental Sustainability (formerly SAVE -- Students Against Violating the Environment). Nicole started this organization and lead the group for two years, along with Sara Schooley. SAVE, among other accomplishments, was the lead organizer of Earth Week in years 2001 through 2003.

2. ESC -- Environmental Sustainability Committee. Nicole not only was a charter member of the ESC, but also was one of the students whose petition and proposal toMichigan TechPresident Tompkins about reinstating a campus recycling program led to his creation of the ESC two years ago.

3. Northwoods Wilderness Recovery. A well organized group of cool people, out of Marquette, that collaborated with SAVE members in many efforts. The Northwoods Wilderness Recovery is very active, and especially tries to save woodland (through fighting and supporting legislation, grassroots-style with petitions and lawyers). One of their current projects is the protection of the Trap Hills Wilderness in the Ottawa National Forest in the U.P. ESC's Kristine Bradof remembers getting a number of messages from Nicole to encourage involvement with and support of this public lands activist group.

4. Keweenaw Land Trust

5. North Woods Conservancy

6. The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Chapter>/p>

Land trusts and conservancies continue to be instrumental in purchasing land for public use and in holding conservation easements on lands that remain in private ownership. The latter three groups have been very active in the Keweenaw -- purchasing and holding onto land to protect it from purchase by those organizations or companies that would destroy the habitat. They help land owners make conservation easements, which are permanent legal guidelines for the current and future use of private lands; and they take donations of land for permanent preservation.

How to donate to them:

1. SAVE through the Earth Week account (acct: 3116). Go to https://www.banweb.mtu.edu/mtu/mtf/giftform.xsql. Select Special Designation [specify below] in Gift information and type for Earthweek or other SAVE activities account number 3116 in the box.

2. ESC (acct: 3115) Go to https://www.banweb.mtu.edu/mtu/mtf/giftform.xsql. Select Special Designation [specify below] in Gift information and type for ESC account number 3115 in the box. If you have any problems with donating to SfES (through the Earthweek acct) or to the ESC, contact the Tech Fund people at (906) 487-2310 or techfund@mtu.edu her questions can be directed to the great Shalini Suryanarayana, who is the account manager for both SfES and ESC, at shalini@mtu.edu or (906) 487-2262.

3. Northwoods Wilderness Recovery. Go to http://www.northwoodswild.org/supportnwr.htm. Use the credit card link or check link, whichever you prefer.

4. Keweenaw Land Trust. Go to \ http://www.keweenawlandtrust.org/documents/membership_form.htm. Fill it out and send it to the address on the form.

5. North Woods Conservancy. Send donations to: NWC, PO Box 124, Calumet MI 49913

6. The Nature Conservancy of Michigan (TNC). Memorial contributions may be sent to: Nicole Bloom Memorial Fund - The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Chapter, 125 West Washington Street, Suite G Marquette, MI 49855.

Tax credits (if you care) for donations to Michigan Tech organizations (SAVE or ESC):
In case everyone isn't aware, gifts to the Michigan Tech Fund are eligible for a special tax credit on Michigan income tax forms. All gifts (up to a total of $200 for individuals and $400 for joint filers) qualify for a deduction of 50% (e.g., a $50 gift = a $25 deduction) on next year's taxes for Michigan residents. A similar but separate deduction applies to the Keweenaw Land Trust endowment fund through the Keweenaw Community Foundation.