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Since the Nature Conservancy purchased more than 32,000 acres in the Keweenaw Peninsula, the group has been hard at work taking an inventory of the land’s assets, as well as working with a group of local stakeholders helping to advise the conservation group as to what are the major priorities of residents.
“Because we know that we are managing it today. But the intent is for the Nature Conservancy to be the interim owner. Not the long-term owner. We bought time for the community to work through and figure this out. And we are working alongside them to do that.” – Julia Peterson, Keweenaw Peninsula Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy
Purchasing the land kept the Keweenaw heartlands from becoming fragmented and privatized. Eventually, the nature conservancy will transfer the heartlands ownership to a third-party group that will govern the lands. The intent of working with a Planning Committee made of local stakeholders will keep the lands tied to local governments and benefit communities impacted by the park’s boundaries.
“The other portion, which is very much underway right now, is to draft the Keweenaw Heartlands Local Public Governance Model. And this is in section five of the blueprint. Which again is in draft form on the website, and we are looking for feedback. ” – Julia Peterson, Keweenaw Peninsula Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy
Over the summer the nature conservancy has had various teams in the field to inventory cultural and historical assets, flora and fauna, as well as infrastructure in the 32,000-plus acre Keweenaw Heartlands. While those teams continue to work in the field the stakeholder planning committee will continue to work through the Heartlands’ eventual operation and governance guidelines. If all goes to plan the nature conservancy will transfer ownership to a local entity after three to five years.
