June - Keweenaw Land Trust

NEWS
a community partner protecting land, water and quality of life
Volume 16 Number 2 June 2013
through conservation, stewardship and education
Dam Jam Drives Hungarian Falls
Fundraising Success
It didn’t take long for our community to show
they truly meant it when they called on KLT to
keep the uppermost Hungarian Falls open to the
public forever. Donations started as a trickle but turned into a
flood as donors from across the country pledged donations for the
project, often citing fond memories of visiting the falls as a child or
during their time at Michigan Tech or Finlandia.
Our lead major donors’ $10,000 challenge to get 100 new KLT
members was easily met, much to our excitement. We’ve now had
over 170 new and gift members join the KLT
during our Hungarian Falls campaign thanks to
everyone’s efforts to promote the cause to their
friends online and off-line. Many of our new
members had long shared our vision for the
Keweenaw but had never heard about the KLT or
knew they could help.
The pivotal moment in our Hungarian Falls
fundraising campaign was our Dam Jam musical
social at the Brownstone Hall. Nearly 300 people
of all ages came out to show their support for the
falls and to have a good time, entertained by six
talented bands. The Dam Jam was our most
successful KLT fundraiser to date
and a memorable night in KLT
history, giving tremendous
momentum to the days that
followed.
In just 60 days, we raised over
$50,000 to protect the uppermost
Hungarian Falls; more than 300
donor households contributed to
the success of this project. We
truly could not have done it
without you!
Photo Credits: Liz Fujita and Hayden Henderson
PAGE 2
KLT NEWS
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
Hungarian Falls – Looking ahead
KLT expects to ‘seal the deal’
for Hungarian Falls soon, but
in the meantime we have not
been sitting idle.
Two gr
Two
grad
adua
uate
te sstu
tude
dent
ntss fr
from
om M
Mic
ichi
higa
gan
n Te
Tech
ch
graduate
students
Michigan
University (pictured above) helped the KLT
learn more about the impoundment by
collecting sediment samples in March, a
process that can be easier to manage
through the ice. We visited the falls during
this year’s impressive spring melt to learn
more about high-water conditions and a
Michigan Tech senior design project this
fall will add to our knowledge. The
team, led by faculty from the Civil and
Environmental Engineering
Department, will propose options for
long-term management of the site.
We are eager to build on the sense of
shared ownership manifested by the
number of donors. Volunteers have
already conducted a spring clean up
(pictured at right) and we have more
volunteer projects planned for the
summer (see back page). We hope to
have hosts present at times to help
spread the word about KLT and this
project, especially as our fundraising
efforts must continue; there is an
ongoing need to add to the Land
Stewardship Fund for Hungarian Falls.
The proceeds from this year’s HorseTail
Scramble will be a start, and perhaps we
can sell some lemonade at the falls on a
hot day!
Our plans include taking careful notes
about plants and animals, mapping
existing roads and trails, looking for
problems such as invasive
plants or excessive erosion, and
learning more about how
people enjoy the property and
what might enhance their
experience. All of this will be
used to develop a management
plan for the property.
We will be reaching out to the
community for input to the
plan documenting our shared
vision for the property, which
will help us determine the
amount of stewardship funding
ne
needed
for the long run. The
management plan and stewardship funding
are basic requirements of land ownership
for land trusts like KLT that are committed
to following the Land Trust Alliance
Standards and Practices, guidelines for
sound and ethical operations that
strengthen individual organizations as well
as the land trust community as a whole.
KLT Awarded $2,000
from Community
Foundation
of the U.P.
The KLT was recently
awarded a $2,000 grant
from the Community
Foundation of the Upper
Peninsula’s U.P. Sustainable
Forest and Wildlife Fund to
purchase and install a
number of site amenities at
Hungarian Falls! The
Foundation’s award will
have an immediate impact
at the site once we
purchase the uppermost
falls. Plans include an
information kiosk, picnic
tables, signage, and
benches along the trails.
We appreciate the
Community Foundation of
the U.P.’s support and are
excited to get to work on
these improvements.
Get frequent updates on
KLT news and events by
liking our Facebook
page!
www.facebook.com/
KeweenawLandTrust
Liz Fujita, Bernice Smith, Sue Haralson, Suzanne and
Cassie Van Dam with the results of a spring clean-up.
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
KLT NEWS
PAGE 3
Lake Superior Youth Symposium: Learning What Makes Our Lake Great
April showers bring May flowers, or so the
saying goes. But here in the Keweenaw it
doesn’t always work out that way. Students from
across the Lake Superior basin experienced our odd weather
first-hand during the 10th Biennial
Lake Superior Symposium that was
h.
held this past May at Michigan Tech.
ar
More than 200 students from as far
away as Thunder Bay attended this
year’s Symposium, the first time it
has been held in our area since
2001. Despite (or maybe even in
spite of) the rainy weather, studentss
learned about what makes the Lakee
Superior Basin special and how we
can protect our shared resource.
nd
Embarking on guided field trips and
volunteer workdays hosted by local organizations, students
and their teachers explored rivers, wetlands, and shorelands
while doing their part to keep our Big Lake healthy for all to
enjoy.
The KLT was fortunate to lead two sessions during this year’s
Symposium. KLT Executive Director Evan McDonald led an
outing to our Paavola Wetlands Preserve, which was especially
wet during the frequent showers that moved through the area.
The students were prepared for anything though and were
eager to take in as much of Paavola’s expansive beaver dams
and wetland habitats as they could during their trip. Evan also
introduced them to the “suo oja” that the
original Finnish farmers used to drain the
area for agricultural use.
After the morning’s trip to Paavola, the
students regrouped and headed to our
Marsin Nature Area and Retreat to help
with some stewardship projects in
preparation for the summer season. The
sixteen high school students (pictured
here) worked hard and fast on a wide
variety of jobs, from setting up and
cleaning tents to painting sign boards
for use at our expansive nature trails. We especially value
their hard work in cleaning up the future location of our new
boardwalk across the cedar swamp. Everyone found a job at
which they excelled and before long their visit was over. We’d
like to thank the Lake Superior Youth Symposium crew for
organizing such a successful event and allowing us to take part!
Meet the Board: Dave Harmon, Closet Author
Dave Harmon is a longtime KLT
member and is currently serving as
vice president on the Board. In 2003 he
and his family (spouse Susan Dlutkowski and
daughters Emma & Carrie Dlutkowski) donated a
conservation easement to KLT on their 57-acre
property fronting the scenic Covered Road in
Stanton Township. The easement is strongly
oriented toward biodiversity preservation.
Dave's employment is with the George Wright
Society, an international professional association
of people working in and on behalf of national
parks and other kinds of protected areas. Using
experience gained from more than 20 years in
the nonprofit sector, Dave's focus on the KLT
Board has been on the "back end" of the land
trust's operations, such as policy development
and increasing employee capacity. The things
Dave likes about the KLT are the dedication of its
membership, particularly those who have
volunteered on the Board over the years; the
flexibility of the organization's mission, which
allows it to consider properties ranging from
fairly pristine natural areas to family
farmsteads; and the camaraderie of
being with fun people who share a
passion for the Keweenaw. !
His hopes for KLT's future include
more large-scale efforts like the
Pilgrim River project, a larger fulltime staff, and of course the
wherewithal to ensure that the KLT
is on a permanent solid financial
footing.
Dave is a modest fellow. One of
the things he is unlikely to mention
about himself is that he is the
author of a book, In Light of Our Differences: How Diversity in Nature
and Culture Makes Us Human. From Amazon: “Most scientists would
agree that a sixth mass extinction is on the horizon unless radical changes
are made in how Western society treats nature. At the same time, another
extinction crisis is unfolding: the loss of many of the world's languages.”
KLT’s board president has lent out his copy of the book, or else we’d have
a direct quote from it.
It’s a great honor for KLT to have a distinguished thinker and author
serving on its board.
PAGE 4
KLT NEWS
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
Peers, Community Conservation, and the Pilgrim River
notes from KLT executive director Evan McDonald
The Keweenaw had winter when I left in late
April but spring was starting in Southwest Lower Michigan
where about thirty Peer Gathering participants came
together to strengthen relationships and learn from one
another. We are members of the land trust community who
help one another, and that’s reflected in the national and
state-based organizations that exist to help land trusts.
Reports and legislative updates led up to the topic of most
interest to me: Community Conservation Initiatives. Land
trusts, dedicated to conservation in perpetuity, must take
the long view, and the Land Trust Alliance is looking at
trends for the future. The demographics of who we are
and where we are living are changing: we’re becoming
more diverse (in all ways, including ethnic and economic)
and more of us are living in or near cities. The economy
and budgets at all levels are challenged; many public
services, including natural resource management, will
probably decline.
That’s where we started our discussion: Are we facing a new
normal of having to do without or can we do for ourselves
what government used to do for us? This is about haves and
have-nots and where rests political power. As cash-strapped
governments can do less on the land conservation front, land
trusts can respond to the needs of their communities and are
stepping up to fill the void. Land trusts can also be more
nimble than governments. Even when governments try to do
the right thing, opportunities can be lost because of
bureaucratic red tape whereas a land trust can go right for it.
Participants at the Peer Gathering viewing conservation efforts on the
shores of Lake Michigan.
those but would like to participate in one, we will hold a forum
in Copper Harbor on July 30th.!
I recently prepared a grant request application
for the PRWP. !It felt like an essay exam, but a lot more was
riding on my answers than a course grade. !The application
highlighted just what a community conservation project should
look like; starting with high quality natural resources that are
worth protecting but face an uncertain future, community
support as demonstrated by partnerships, some financial
Back in Hancock there was still snow on the
resources to work with (i.e.that we bring something to the table
and we’re not asking the funder to
ground, but less than when I left.
pay for it alone), and the project is
I love the Keweenaw and was glad
Doing something for the community,
part of a plan with clear objectives
to be home. I had learned that KLT
with the community, builds community.
and benefits for the community. !All
is on the right track and has been
of that is exactly what the Pilgrim
for a while. KLT has been pursuing
project
is
about.
!We
have
the
beautiful and expansive Pilgrim
community-based conservation long before people started
River valley close to town. !Its healthy forests and river provide:
calling it that. That’s why our mission statement begins with
clean air and water, wildlife habitat, timber products to support
KLT being “a community partner…” and why we’re involved
our economy, ample recreational opportunities, and a reason
in many partnerships. Working in partnerships makes KLT
for our community to come together to protect it. !And it has. !
more effective than we’d be working alone, and it gives our
Hundreds of individuals have donated. !A variety of
work greater meaning while representing a range of
organizations have been working together on project planning,
community interests.
fundraising, site stewardship and more. A project as big as this
Sometimes the community tells us what it wants one voice at one, over 1600 acres and several miles of the river, has to be
a time asking for the same thing…like “please protect
community-based to succeed.
Hungarian Falls”. Sometimes partner organizations ask us to
Here’s my take. !Community conservation projects aim to
get involved, which is how the Pilgrim River Watershed
benefit the broader community as much as possible and
Project (PRWP) started. Another way to figure out what the
community support is essential to accomplish such projects. !It
community wants is to ask, which is why we recently ran
goes both ways. !You have to give to get. !We are all peers in
internet surveys and held community forums. If you missed
this and we!are stronger, more effective together.
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
KLT NEWS
PAGE 5
CALLING all hikers, bicyclists,
ATVers, photographers,
birdwatchers, gardeners, hunters,
loggers, joggers, and anyone else who’ll be
spending time outside this spring and early
summer in the Copper Country! Your collective eyes
can be a HUGE help in spotting and reporting new
infestations of garlic mustard!
The second all-partner meeting of KISMA, the Keweenaw
Invasive Species Management Area was hosted by the Keweenaw
Bay Indian Community. Their restoration and outreach efforts at
Sand Point include a demonstration garden and walking trails
with interpretive signage on the importance of native plant
species and pollinators, with the effects of invasives and stamp
sands.
KISMA partners learn about ongoing efforts by the Keweenaw Bay
Indian Community to restore a former stamp sand beach and
increase plant diversity at the Sand Point Recreation Area on
Keweenaw Bay near L’anse as part of the all partner meeting June 10
!nvasive, non-native species are displacing native communities
control. IF you find any garlic mustard plants (early detection) in
throughout our area and recognized as a widespread and
a Copper Country forest, trailside, yard, anywhere (!) please
increasing problem on and within private and public land and
report the exact location to the HKCD. Plants that are reported
water. KLT has signed on to voluntary participation in KISMA
can be quickly removed and properly disposed of. This rapid
along with many partners including the
response is vital as garlic mustard
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community,
!"#$%&'(!"##"$%&"#&'$&()*"+"')',&*$$-,.)/$%& can quickly crowd out native
Houghton Keweenaw Conservation
wildflowers and tree seedlings, thus
)!$%0#'&(,1,.)+2&#')',2&'."3)+2&)%1&+$*)+&
District (HKCD), Ottawa National Forest,
threatening wildlife that depend on
0.$4-#&"%&-.,5,%/$%&)%1&!)%)0,!,%'&$(& these species. A forest floor can be
National Park Service, CC Audubon,
"%5)#"5,&#-,*",#&)*.$##&+)%1&$6%,.#7"-&
Michigan Nature Association, the
totally dominated by garlic mustard
MDNR Forest Management Division and
3$4%1).",#&6"'7"%&8).)0)2&9$407'$%2&)%1& within five to seven years of its
Fort Wilkins, Craig Lake and McLain
introduction, as has happened
:,6,,%)6&;$4%/,#<
State Parks, MTU, The Nature
elsewhere. Property owners' and
Conservancy, and The Forestland Group. KISMA is currently
land managers' (townships, counties, land trusts, etc.)
funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Janet Marr,
pocketbooks are affected by costs of garlic mustard and other
botanist extraordinaire in our region, serves to coordinate
invasive species control. So....early detection of garlic mustard
activities. Learn more about KISMA at the website kisma.org
sites helps us all!
This year efforts are focused on garlic mustard with funding
through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Garlic mustard is an
extremely invasive plant that has begun to show up in our area.
Early detection – rapid response is the mantra of garlic mustard
The KLT will host a table at the Free for All Festival at the L’anse
waterfront from 1 – 6 pm on Friday, June 21 to share
information about KLT and KISMA as part of the Tervetuloa or
“Finnish your Festival in Baraga County” week. Look for us!
In the spring, garlic mustard plants
send up flowering stalks with clusters
of 4-petaled white flowers. These soon
develop into erect slender seed pods
that will produce numerous seeds.
Stem leaves are alternate, triangular,
and toothed. Crushed leaves and
stems often have a garlic-like smell.
Here is what garlic mustard looks like.
Please go to the KLT website for links
to help you identify the plants, report
their location, and volunteer to help
with removal efforts
PAGE 6
Hungarian
g
Falls Donors
Lead Major Donors
Anonymous Foundation
Clay Hixson
Jackie Manchester
Sharon Emley and Don Arkin
John Soyring
Mike
Mi
ke aand
nd K
Kat
Kathy
athy
at
hy A
Abb
Abbott
bbot
bb
ottt
ot
Michael Ager*
- In Memory of Dorothy Ager
Mark and Theresa Ahlborn
Donors from the
Andrew and Sophie Aho Family:
Judith and Chester Aho
Julie and Mark Aho
Florence and Elmer Bessonen
Kristin Lortie
Laurel Ojala
Geraldine and Robert Parrott*
Anne and Edwin Paulson
Bonnie and Edward Pollock*
June Schaefer
Kathleen Wollan*
Roy and Suzanne Aho*
Ginger Alberti*
Alex Mayer and Suzanne Van Dam
Valerie Amo*
Keith Anderson
Andrea Puzakulich and George Dewey
Anonymous*
Anonymous*
Jason and Sara Arbuckle*
Arlyn Aronson*
John W. Arzooyan
Audubon Society of Kalamazoo
Dave Bach - Dedicated to
John "Schmooley" Ferry
Judy and Ron Backus
Deborah Baer*
Jim Baker*
Nancy Barr*
Jim and Linda Belote
Andrew Benda
John and Linda Bergdahl*
Bob Bingham*
Kristan Black*
Sheryl Black
Jim Bodi
John Bodi
Stephanie Boullin*
Thomas Bradner
Heather Bradway*
Daniel Brinks*
Shannon Brodeur*
Alan Brokaw*
Janet Burkholder
Samuel Buschell
- In Memory of Anne Buschell
Byron Dieterle and Melissa Behr
Liz Cahill*
Gary and Amber Cambell
KLT NEWS
Ellen Campbell*
Cathy and Mark Campbell-Olszewski
Liz Carlson*
Frank Carlton*
Audrey and Adam Carpenter*
- Dedicated to the McDowell Family
Glen Chaput
David Clark*
Sue and Daniel Closner*
Donna and Thomas Cole
Community Foundation of the Upper
Peninsula
Copper Country Audubon Society
Copper Country ISD
Cynthia Cote*
Sharon Coult*
Carl Craven*
Michael Crawford*
Judy Crotty
Crystal Mason and Joe Buteyn*
Lisa Cunningham*
Janet Dalquist
Roberta and Dan Dalquist
Deb Kinzi and Mike Irish* - Dedicated to their
fathers, Bill Kuenzi and John Irish
Charlene Dehn*
Cheryl and Steve DeLong
Melissa and Michael DeLuka*
Jane DeMartini
Chad Denkins
Helen and Bill Dertien
Anonymous*
- In Memory of Barbara Cloutier
Mary Dixon
Ann Marie Dodge*
Jay Dodge*
Linda and John Dodge
E.L. Wright Office Plaza
Mary Eckhart*
Tom Edinborough*
Annie Eis*
Elise Nelson and Erik Lilleskov
Elizabeth Gerson and Christopher Swanston*
Evan McDonald and Libby Meyer
Gary Evans - Dedicated to the
Phil Nancarrow Youth Initiatives
Faith Morrison and Tomas Co
Andy Ferenc*
Emily and Frank Fiala
Debby and Robert Filer
Josh Filzen
Barbara Flanagin
Carrie and David Flaspohler
Beth Flynn
Jo Foley
Randall Freisinger*
Martha and Kaz Fujita*
Bill Gale*
Fred Geis
Joe Gervais
Kim Gleffe*
Wanda and Guy Goode
Jay and Phyllis Green
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
Business Sponsors
Brownstone Hall
Copper Island Treasures
EconoFoods
Favorites Custom Apparel
Lakeland-Luoma Insurance Agencies
Nitrate Elimination Company
Osmose, Inc.
Pat's Foods
Quincy Footwear
Red Jacket Trolley
Roy's Bakery
The Wood'n Spoon
Yarns & Threads
Gretchen Hein and Bruce Beaudoin
Kathleen Gunn*
Paul and Lorrie Gunn
John and Megan Haeussler*
Jeanmarie and Shawn Hagan
John Hamilton*
Ruth and Brant Hannula*
Sue and Robert Haralson
Christine and David Hauke*
- In Memory of George and Jean Hauke
Lori Hauswirth*
Rob Hill*
Thanks to
Patrick Holcomb*
Dam Jam
Karen Hubbard
Pat and Gary Hughes*
Bands !
Mary Hunt
Page and Brian Isaksson*
Jonathon
Theresa Jacques*
Gale Jamsen
Soper
Janna Dons and Brian Fick
Elizabeth Jefferson*
The Board
Jim Nugent and Lori Ostergaard
Barnstormers
John Slivon and Ann Pace*
Megan Johnson*
Trouble on the
Kelly and Rudy Jost*
Stairs
Larry and Connie Julien
Steve Kappler
Keweenaw
Debbie Karstu*
Rick Kasprzak*
Brewgrass
Susan Kaufman*
Outwash Plain
Don Keith
Katie Keller*
Ann and Paul Kemppainen*
Paul and Sandra Keranen
Kevin Kruse and Kristine Flesher
Keweenaw Chain Drive
Scott King*
Karla Kingsley*
Barbara and Troy Kinnunen-Skidmore
Terry Kinzel and Sue Ellen Kingsley
Thomas Kladzyk*
Robert Klein*
Rose Klein*
- In Memory of Robert M. Klein
Janice Knight
Wanda and Michael Kolb
Andrew and Melissa Kolosiuk
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
Scott and Diane Kopke
Barb Koski
Mark Kotajarvi*
Kristen Schmitt & Evan Kane
Marjorie and Raymond Krumm*
Mark and Janice Kuzlik*
Erik Lacksonen
Mary Lahnala
Mark and Michelle Lambert
Joseph Lambie*
Denise Landsberg*
Maureen LaWent*
Pauline LeBlanc*
Richard and Holly Leivdal*
Leonard Bohmann and Janeen Stephenson
Eloise Liddicoat
TyAnn Lindell
April Linja
Liz Fujita and Nathan Miller
Steven Loosemore
Kelly and Rudy Luck
Cynthia and Bruce MacDonald*
Gordon Maclean*
James Makinen*
Karl Makinen*
Mike and Jean Makinen*
Jason and Elise Manders*
John and Cindy Manders*
Matt Manders*
Aladino and Connie Mandoli*
Bill Marlor*
Janet and Bob Marr
John and Loise Marta
Jen Martin*
Susan and Patrick Martin
Martin Schwamberger and Shirley Peter*
Garrett Mason*
Geri and Rick Mason*
Jesse and Margaret Mason*
Lacey Mason*
Dane Mattila
Audrey Mayer*
Beverly Maynard*
- In Memory of Majorie A. Maynard
Jerry Maynard
- Dedicated to Raymond Maynard
Ryan and Erica McCone*
Dan and Kris McLain
Thomas and Denise McMillan*
- In Memory of Larry Mackey
Kristin McNally*
Meg Pachmayer and Pasi Lautala*
Steve Merschman*
Kyle and Amanda Messner*
Kris Michaelson*
Harriet Miller*
Jake and Betsy Miller*
Karen Miller
Daniel Mizell
Michelle and Phil Morgan
Robert Morikawa*
John Morrell
KLT NEWS
Megan Mukavetz*
Sarah and Troy Naperala*
Valerie Newman*
Gina Nicholas
Carl Nordin*
Christina Nordman*
Tom and Pat Oldfield*
Bob and Bonnie Olli*
John Ollila
Bill and Carol Olsen*
Mary Olson*
David Outinen*
Bradley Parker*
Delphine Peller*
- In Memory of Bernie Karjala
Peter Gundersen and Jimalee Jones*
Candy and Rolf Peterson
Sandra and Joseph Petrin*
Kimberly Philliben*
Phyllis Fredendall and Hannu Leppanen
Nancy Pintar*
Judy Pleshe
Brian Porter*
Ken and Deb Price*
- Dedicated to Sherwood Price
Rachel Toczydlowski and Brad Waldorf
Kellie Raffaeilli*
- In Memory of Ralph Raffaelli
Mary Rapai*
Jennie Rautio
Brian Rendel
Mary Ringler*
Kathy and Mark Roberts
Jonathan Robins*
Bill and Nanno Rose
Paula and Stephen Rostron*
Brenda Rudiger*
Frank and Nancy Rugani*
Linda and Dave Rulison
Ruth Mohr and David Owens
- In Memory of Mick Chambers
Bob and Darcy Rutkowski*
Thomas Sadler
Heather Sander*
Mario and Karen Sapino*
Marsha and Jason Sapino*
Mary Schei
- In Memory of Marty Tarbox
Chelsea Schelly*
Rhiannon and Chris Schmidt
Mike Schreiber*
Rachel Schreiner*
Samuel Schwartz
Keith Searl*
Clare Seguin*
Richard Sewell
Ian Shackleford
Marge Shannette
Nancy and Doug Sherk
Jack and Sandi Siegmeier*
Karen Siekas
Deb and Jim Siira*
PAGE 7
Karen and Leonard Simonson*
Allison Slavick
Bernice Smith
Roger Smith
Laura Smyth*
Alice and Ted Soldan
Roger Somero*
Dennis Sotala*
Keith Stenger*
Greg and Cathy Stewart
Robert Stinson*
Doug and Norma Lee Stuart
Alexis Sullivan*
Susan Bagley and Gil Lewis
Rolf Swanson
Rita Sweet*
Kurt Switzer
Mark Szaroletta*
Fredi and Jim Taddeucci
Andrew and Mary Elizabeth Tallon*
James Tercha*
Kurt Terhune*
Tina Tesluk*
James Thompsett*
Pat and Dave Toczydlowski
Katherine Tomlinson*
Michael Tonkin*
Katie Tormala
Valorie and Keith Troesch
Stephanie Tubman*
Sharon Turovaara*
- Dedicated to John L.Turovaara
Stan Uitti*
Brad Uren*
Adhiraj Vable
John Vollmer
Greg and Kay Waite*
Lorraine Weirauch
Jim and Jean Westrom
Christine Wiatr
Ramona and Dulnath Wijayratne*
Tom Williams
Dean and Jan Woodbeck
Teresa and Roger Woods
Steve Worster
Russell Wrobel*
Phil York
Clare Zuraw*
* Denotes New or Gift Members to the KLT
Bold Denotes Major
aj Donor
Employee Match Successes!
We’d like to extend a special thanks to everyone
who took advantage of their company’s employee
matching programs. Through your efforts we raised
an additional $500+ for the Hungarian Falls Nature
Area! Remember to check if your employer has an
employee match program to enhance your taxdeductible gift to the KLT today.
PAGE 8
KLT NEWS
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
Voices of the Keweenaw
Bête Grise Preserve: Beautiful Every Season
by Debby Filer, KLT Member
My husband Bob
and I have been
fortunate to be able
to frequently visit
the Bête Grise
Preserve, and it is
magnificent. From
the parking area on the
Lac La Belle-Gay Road, a
short trail follows a small
creek to Bête Grise on
Lake Superior. The sand
is white and pristine and
th
the view includes Mount
Houghton and Bare Bluff in the distance. Just above the beach sands are
towering white pine and spruce trees. We have hiked the
shoreline with our Golden Retriever Daisy many times,
never failing to thoroughly enjoy the beauty of the bay and
the ever-changing Lake Superior.
We have canoed throughout the lagoon area that divides
the Bête Grise Preserve in two and connects Lac La Belle
with Bête Grise Bay. It is a peaceful, lovely area where lily
pads abound as well as many wildflowers, blueberries, and
sundews, and wildlife including bald eagles, mallards,
hawks, owls, sand hill cranes, beaver, otters, coyotes, and
deer.
It is wonderful to snowshoe there as well, among the snow
laden fir trees, and seeking the huge white pine where an
eagles’ nest rests at the top is always a worthwhile goal.
We are thankful that KLT sought to help preserve this
exquisite marshland. It is a fabulous place to visit, enjoy,
and quietly observe the wildlife and beauty that nature
affords us.
More of Deb Filer’s photos of Bete Gris can be seen on the KLT
fort led by
b the
th Houghton
Ho ht Keweenaw
K
Conservation
Co
ti District, with
ith supportt from
fr
website. Editor’s note: The Bete Gris Preserve was a partnership effort
the Nature Conservancy, KLT, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the South Shore Association and state and federal agency partners.
Share your Keweenaw experience in the form of poetry or prose (500 word limit), photo or art. We'll print one in each newsletter. Send to:
info@keweenawlandtrust.org.
Late-breaking News: KLT Receives Funding for Trail Maintenance Package!
We’re excited to announce that we just received a $2,000 grant for trail maintenance equipment from the Norcross
Wildlife Foundation! The award could not have come at a better time, as we have a number of upcoming
stewardship projects planned but few tools to complete them (see Volunteer Opportunities on the back page). We
can’t wait to properly equip our volunteers for the jobs ahead. The KLT appreciates the Norcross Wildlife
Foundation’s generosity and consideration.
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
KLT NEWS
PAGE 9
Land Practitioners Gather Near the Shores of Lake Michigan
beauty of natural areas while making them available for
About 30 land protection and stewardship
appropriate public use. Their newly acquired Pilgrim Haven
practitioners travelled from across Wisconsin,
Nature Area, a former youth camp on the shore of Lake Michigan,
Michigan and Indiana for a 3-day peer gathering in
provided a perfect classroom for part of this discussion. Other
April at the Ronora Lodge, a
areas visited included a high
retreat center on a small lake
quality riparian tract and newly
and land protected by a
restored wetland. Many land
conservation easement with
trusts are engaged in restoration
d
the Southwest Michigan Land
efforts including removal of
Conservancy (SWMLC). Pat
exotics, burning to sustain or
of the KLT staff won the prize
reintroduce native prairies, and
for travelling the farthest to
repairing altered hydrology to
attend. The event included
restore wetland functions.
nd
bird walks and field trips, and
her
since all were staying together
The overwhelming sentiment
at the Lodge there was plenty
expressed in the closing session
of time to ‘talk shop’. Peers
was of the value of the time
shared their views on currentt
together and the recognition that
best practices as well as
we are not alone in our work and
mistakes or weaknesses we
that we face many of the same
might correct over a diversity
challenges. It was evident that
The peer gathering ponders land stewardship at Ronora Lodge
of practices including
peers were feeling recharged, yet
document drafting, landowner
anxious to get back to the full ‘in
relationships, calculating stewardship costs for the long
box’ after time sequestered away from technology to focus on
term, and safety in the field.
learning and sharing.
Adena Rissman, professor of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at
UW-Madison, led a session on rethinking tools and
strategies for land conservation with regard to climate
change and other emerging issues. Land trusts protect land
forever; the conservation values, land uses and
management options may change in coming years.
Nate Fuller of the SWMLC shared a great deal of practical
knowledge guiding us to think about what is ecologically
appropriate and what is feasible given the resources
available to protect and enhance the ecology, diversity and
Pat came away confident that the KLT lands program is on track.
While many land trusts are challenged with restoring
impoverished landscapes and diminished ecological values, the
KLT still has many opportunities to protect and steward large,
ecologically intact tracts.
The Land Trust Alliance, Heart of the Lakes Center for Land
Conservation Policy, and Gathering Waters (WI), organized this
event as one of their many services to strengthen and encourage
excellence throughout the land trust community.
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PAGE 10
KLT NEWS
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
Upcoming KLT events
•
June 21 – Free for All Festival - 1 – 6 p.m.
Sharing information about KLT and invasive plants (KISMA) at
the L’anse waterfront– come find us!
•
June 21 - Heart & Hands nominations due
•
June 29 – Photo Hike with Steve Brimm
Enhance your skill at photographing nature from an expert. Meet
at Lizzadro Lakeshore Preserve on M-26 4 miles south of Copper
Harbor at 6 p.m. and carpool to other sites.
•
July 4 – HorseTail Scramble at Churning Rapids
•
July 5 – Sunset cruise around Manitou Island
•
July 29 – What is the Keweenaw Fault and how was it
discovered? Learn about this important landscape feature from
Bill Rose at the Eagle Harbor Community Building, 8 – 9 p.m.
•
July 30 – Community Forum on KLT conservation priority
themes – 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Grant Township Hall in Copper
Harbor. Another chance to get involved, especially if you missed
our earlier forums. Led by KLT intern Nathan.
•
August 26- Natural Shoreline Landscapes Workshop with Jane
Hebert – register for a morning session on the water at Gratiot
Lake, afternoon walking and wading the shoreline at the Marsin
Nature Retreat, or both. Jane will share tools and resources to
inspire landscapes that attract wildlife and protect water quality.
A great way for KLT to advance our goal to naturalize the Marsin
shoreline. You do not have to be a lakeshore owner to benefit
from this workshop. Call the KLT office or visit the Gratiot Lake
Conservancy website to register, modest fee includes a copy of
Jane’s book.
16thAnnual
HorseTail
Scramble
at Churning Rapids
Trails
10 k Trail Run
and 5 k Fitness Walk
1:00 PM July 4, 2013
53044 Hwy M 203
4.5 miles north of Hancock
Beach
906 482 6827
!
Watch for details and reminders through
our email list, facebook page and website.
Not connected to KLT online? We’re
starting a phone tree to get the word out
on events and work days. Call the KLT
office 906-482-0820 to get on the list and
in the loop, or if you are willing to help
make the calls.
This cruise will benefit both
Gull Rock Lighthouse (pictured
on the poster) and the Manitou
Lighthouse (pictured above).
Manitou Island represents
several unique qualities: there is
a complete absence of large
herbivores; KLT and the Gull
Rock Lightkeepers form a
partnership to steward this
island; and it also is a landmark
for researchers of bird migration.
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
KLT NEWS
PAGE 11
Join the KLT as a new or renewing member.
Name________________________________________Phone #_______________________
Address__________________________________please circle: summer - winter - permanent
City__________________________________State____________Zip___________________
Current Email address_________________________________________________________
Present Members: Please Renew or Give a Gift Membership!
$35 -New or Gift
$50 -Supporter
$100 -Guardian
$250 -Steward
other $_______
Make an Additional Donation for Pilgrim River Community Forest!
I would like to be contacted to learn about:
-Planned giving;
I would like to receive Email notices about:
-Upcoming events/Outings;
-Conservation easements
-Land Donation
$___________
-Volunteering
-KLT volunteer work days
KLT respects your privacy and confidentiality. We do not sell our lists and we honor requests for anonymity.
THANK YOU! Dues and contributions are tax deductible. Please mail this form and payment to:
Keweenaw Land Trust, Inc., 801 N Lincoln Ave Suite 306, Hancock MI 49930
Volunteer Spotlight on Kelly Luck
While many volunteers are attracted to digging in the
ground, Kelly Luck graciously and proficiently takes
on the task of digging into the details. Kelly tackles the
important job of handling many of the accounting needs of the
KLT and coordinates with Nathan to keep entries in our
member database up to date. Kelly dedicates a few hours
each week to the KLT, but with the flurry of recent activity on
the Hungarian project, she willingly put in extra time to help.
Kelly has worked as a volunteer locally since 1998 and
currently works with the Friends of the Van Pelt Library in
addition to KLT.
Her time in the office is not only a huge benefit to
the organization, but a bright spot for the staff. Kelly
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is very competent and reliable and a joy to work with. Kelly
conducts her professional work from home and says of her volunteer efforts, “ I like having something to do that gets
me out of the house and I believe it’s important to give back to the community”. KLT is fortunate that Kelly has
chosen to so generously invest her time and talents here. Kelly lives in Hancock with her husband Rudy and their
dog Snoop and enjoys news from her son Kyle, a 2007 graduate of Hancock HS currently working on his PhD in
Material Sciences Engineering at Northwestern University. Born in Canada, she recently became a US citizen. Kelly
is someone we can count on to get the job done so a huge THANK YOU to KELLY!!
Bring-A-Bag Campaign Brings In Big Bucks
Major thanks to the Keweenaw Co-Op for putting on their Bring-A-Bag Campaign! The KLT was chosen
to receive a small credit every time a shopper brought their own bag instead of using a disposable one
for the 6 month period between October 2012 and April 2013. Through the efforts of environmentallyconscious shoppers, the Co-Op generated over $400 that will be used to help fund a wetland
boardwalk at our Marsin Nature Area & Retreat! We’re happy that the fundraiser was such a success
and hope that everyone continues to bring in a reusable bag when they shop at the Keweenaw Co-Op.
801 N Lincoln Drive, Suite 306
Hancock MI 49930
906 482 0820
info@keweenawlandtrust.org
www.facebook.com/KeweenawLandTrust
Volunteer Opportunities with the KLT
KLT Board of Directors
and Staff 2012-2013
This summer is going to be a jam-packed field season for the KLT as we work to
complete a number of important projects before the cold weather returns. Evan,
Pat, Nathan, and Curtis can’t do it all, so we rely on the help of our volunteers to
help make our stewardship projects happen. We have a lot of exciting work that
needs to be done and would appreciate your help!
With grant money secured from the Keweenaw Community
Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee and Keweenaw CoOp, we have already begun work on a wetland crossing
boardwalk at our Marsin Nature Area & Retreat. Later this summer once we have
the designs and permits in place we are going to need several hard-working
volunteers willing to get dirty helping us put together the boardwalk in the thick of
the cedar swamp. Trust us, it’s actually a lot of fun! If you have carpentry or
boardwalk building experience this is the perfect opportunity for you.
We will also have other work going on at the Hungarian Falls Nature Area once we
hold title to the property. Picnic benches will need to be built, trails maintained,
and a kiosk installed to help guide visitors and make the site more inviting. We
may also have a need for volunteers to help with fundraising or informational
booths at local events this summer. If you are interested in assisting with any of
these projects, please email Nathan@keweenawlandtrust.org and let him know
what you’re willing to help out with! Dates for workdays will be settled once we
are closer to the time. Stay tuned for more updates!
WISH LIST: can
you donate any of
these items to KLT?
•
•
•
•
•
Gas powered push mower
Canister vacuum cleaner
Hand yard tools - rakes,
pruners, axe, etc.
Gift cards to local grocers
Postage stamps
•
•
•
•
Terry Kinzel, President
Hancock
Dave Harmon, Vice President
Atlantic Mine
Keren Tischler, Secretary
Atlantic Mine
Phil Musser, Treasurer
Houghton
Bruce Petersen, Houghton
Don Keith, Eagle Harbor
Bill Deephouse, Hancock
Erika Vye, Laurium
Evan McDonald
Executive Director
Pat Tocydlowski
Land Project Specialist
Curtis Perala
Marsin Property Manager
Nathan Miller
Project Intern
25 hp outboard motor
Gas powered generator
Ping pong table (for Marsin!)
Books on natural and local
history