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michigannature.org MNA Supports Campaign to Secure Nearly 16,000 Acres at Keweenaw Tip Earlier this year, the Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition (KORC) led a campaign of individuals, businesses, and outdoor recreation, conservation, and community organizations, including MNA, to nominate Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) purchase of more than 15,800 acres at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in Upper Michigan using funds from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. MDNR ownership would secure permanent, public access to these recreational and conservation lands that are now in private ownership and at risk for development.
A snapping turtle suns itself at MNA’s Keweenaw Shores #2 Nature Sanctuary. Photo by Nancy Leonard.
The MDNR is exploring options but does not plan to apply for a Trust Fund grant this year. MNA supports the KORC initiative; these lands link and support many of our Nature Sanctuaries in this spectacular, relatively undeveloped landscape and are an important part of the Keweenaw’s tourism economy.
Michigan Legislators Bolster Campaign to Protect Land and Water A national movement is underway to protect 30% of U.S. lands and 30% of our ocean areas by 2030. The 30 X 30 campaign is designed to help address the alarming loss of nature across the globe given the growing awareness that plant and animal species are rapidly declining. Within a week of taking the oath of office, President Biden signed an Executive Order to put the country on track to meet that goal. In a show of bipartisan support for conservation, State Senator Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) and others recently introduced Senate Resolution 72. SR 72 mirrors previously introduced House Resolution 25, sponsored by Representative Sarah Lightner (R-Springport). Both resolutions call on the Governor to set a 30 X 30 conservation goal for Michigan’s lands and waters. Currently 7.7 million acres, or 21% of Michigan’s land base is publicly held (local, state and forest) but not all those acres are necessarily conservation lands. Lands permanently protected by the state’s private land conservancies total 672,967 acres, or just under 2% of the state’s land base, but that figure also includes some agricultural lands. 12
michigan nature| summer 2021
Photo by Lauren Ross.
