Community input sought for future messaging of Keweenaw Heartlands Project

HANCOCK, Mich. (WJMN) — Organizations involved in the development of a new, massive conservation effort in the Keweenaw Peninsula are asking for help from community members to better communicate its message. This comes as the Keweenaw Heartlands Project enters a transition to become controlled by local municipalities.

The Nature Conservancy and Keweenaw Community Foundation are asking for help to craft three key messages about the Keweenaw Heartlands Project and its recent 32,600-acre expansion.

The current versions of the messages are:

• ACCESS TO NATURE ALWAYS: Maintain and improve sustainable forest resource access to the benefit of local and regional communities and visitors alike.
  
• COMMUNITY-LED FOREST: Collective care for this local forest is the best way to prioritize management impacts on local communities, ensure benefits are realized locally, and conserve the forest long-term.
  
• LOCAL CARE FOR & DECISION-MAKING ABOUT THE LAND: Management responsibility and decision-making for the forest are in the hands of the local community.

This survey asks whether the messages make sense, how they could be improved, and other information about how community members learn about and perceive the project.

The survey will remain open until July 31.

The Nature Conservancy and partner organizations are also hosting events throughout the summer and fall to share information about the project. That includes the Copper Shores Community-Wide Picnic on July 28 from 12-3 p.m. and an update meeting at the Grant Township Hall on Aug. 21, starting at 6:30 p.m. that evening.

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