Photo courtesy the Nature Conservancy The Keweenaw Heartlands provide a vital migratory and nesting habitat for over 300 bird species, which is one of the countless reasons The Nature Conservancy purchased the land to ensure its protected and sustainably managed so both people and nature can thrive.

KEWEENAW COUNTY – The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has announced its next Keweenaw Heartlands Project Update will be held from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Allouez Township Community Center at 388 Bumbletown Road in Allouez.

While The Nature Conservancy (TNC) currently owns the 32,500 acres that make up the Keweenaw Heartlands, the project started locally and has been guided by local and regional community members working in partnership with TNC and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).

A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) of nearly 30 members representing a multitude of regional and local perspectives and organizational affiliations–conservation, economic development, forestry, motorized and non-motorized recreation, business, culture and history, tribal community, and county residents– have met 3x/year to guide and develop the future of this forest.

Julia Petersen, Keweenaw Heartlands project manager, said the update is designed to inform the community of the latest project developments, and to provide an opportunity for people ask questions.

“There will be representatives from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, of course TNC, and members of the Community Advisory Committee who have been guiding the planning effort all along the way, so we should have a good group there,” Petersen said.

According to the Michigan website, the DNR has proposed the purchase one of these tracts – The Point – consisting of approximately 10,000 acres. The area represents a largely intact forested landscape punctuated with ecosystems from open peatlands to ridge top bedrock glades. A number of high-quality natural communities have been found within this area including a mesic northern forest, rich conifer swamp and volcanic cliff.

“We’ll provide information about land acquisition, what’s happening on the DNR side, what’s happening on the TNC side, and we’ll also give an update on the local public governance model for a portion of the forest, the local portion of the forest, and we’ll talk briefly about other parts of the planning efforts and any next steps, then open the floor to questions and answers.”