MARQUETTE — The Marquette County Planning Division is hosting four dialogue dinners around the county for community members to provide input in the development of the county’s climate action plan.

In March 2023, the Marquette County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution titled “Supporting Measures to Respond to a Changing Climate” to display the county’s commitment to climate mitigation and adaptation.

The resolution lays the framework for the development of a comprehensive climate action plan consisting of two parts: a strategic road map to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at county-operated facilities to be in alignment with the state’s MI Healthy Climate Plan, along with updating regional climate trends and data.

The Climate Action subcommittee has been in charge of the efforts thus far, and to advance these goals, the county board has selected Johnson Controls Inc. to conduct an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit, a greenhouse gas emissions inventory, and a fleet review/electric vehicle analysis for county facilities. The audit will serve as the foundation for the initial deliverable.

For the second deliverable, the Marquette County Planning Division will host four “dialogue dinners” across the county, designed to be inclusive events allowing for community discussion.

These events will facilitate broader community input through informal discussions over buffet-style meals, complemented by a community survey for additional feedback from residents. Dinner is complimentary for participants and there will be a cash bar.

The dialogue dinners will occur on the following dates:

≤ Sept. 12: Up North Lodge in Gwinn

≤ Sept. 19: Jerzi’s in west Ishpeming

≤ Sept. 26: Barrel + Beam in Marquette

RSVPs are encouraged at this link: https://forms.gle/k6CbaehXLmAKiuCHA

If child care is needed at the event, please note on your RSVP. All food scraps and organic waste from this event series will be composted with Partridge Creek Compost.

For more information, contact Emily Leach, Marquette County senior planner, at 906-228-8196 or eleach@mqtco.org.

Find more information at mqtcoplan.org/climateactionplan or on the Marquette County Planning Division’s Facebook page.