July was a busy month for the Keweenaw Heartlands Project!
Over the last two years, the Keweenaw Heartlands Community Advisory Committee (CAC) has developed a recommended structure for a local public entity to govern and manage approximately two-thirds of the Heartlands. In the past year, they drafted Articles of Incorporation (“the Articles”) that outline that design. On Wednesday, July 16, draft Articles were introduced to the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners (“the Board”) by Sam Raymond, Grant Township’s representative on the CAC.
If the Articles are legally enabled by an amended Michigan Recreational Authorities Act (see the July Update for more details) and passed by the Board, the Keweenaw Heartlands Forest Authority would then become an official local government body. Those draft Articles are now under review by the Board, which will determine the process for their public consideration. Stay tuned to these monthly updates for information on that process!
Vienna Leonarduzzi and Robin Meneguzzo of the Keweenaw Community Foundation celebrate the kick-off of the Keweenaw Heartlands Forest Fund.
On Thursday, July 24, the Keweenaw Heartlands Forest Fund (KHFF) kicked off at Performances in the Park in Copper Harbor. The fund’s goal is $600,000, of which $313,000 has already been raised! The KHFF, held by the Keweenaw Community Foundation, will support the start-up of the Keweenaw Heartlands Forest Authority and its management of approximately 20,000 acres of Heartlands Forest. These dollars are critical to realizing local, public decision-making on this footprint, and they will help to cover start-up and operating costs for several years.
Question of the month: Why should I give to the Keweenaw Heartlands Forest Fund (KHFF), and how can I give?
The Heartlands Community Advisory Committee recognized the importance of ensuring a smooth, community-driven launch of the local, public Forest Authority. The Keweenaw Heartlands Forest Fund will allow just that, covering approximately 3-5 years of operating costs so that the Forest Authority can:
(1) protect public accessibility to the forest, including the extensive road and trail network; (2) manage for improved forest health and eventual, sustainable timber harvests; and (3) build forest-based revenue streams that directly benefit local people, forever.
If public input and management of this community forest are important to you so that it is always healthy, accessible, and protected, then consider giving. You can give by visiting the Keweenaw Heartlands Forest Fund webpage, or by contacting Robin Meneguzzo at robin@keweenawgives.org.
In the News
The Mining Gazette: KCF launches Heartlands Forest Fund
Philanthropy News Digest: KCF Launches Heartlands Forest Fund
MyUPNow.com: Keweenaw Community Foundation launches campaign to protect public forest land
UPWord Michigan: Foundation launches fund to support Keweenaw Heartlands
WLUC-TV: Keweenaw Heartlands Project reaches major milestones as progress continues
Outdoor News: Michigan legislation would pave way to create authority to manage forests