Working TOGETHER to SUSTAIN and CELEBRATE the LAKES , FORESTS and COMMUNITIES in the border lakes region .

MISSION Who We Are The Heart of the Continent The Heart of the Continent Partnership seeks to sustain Partnership (HOCP) is a Ca and celebrate the health, nadian/American coalition beauty, diversity and produc of land managers and local tivity of the natural and cul stakeholders working to tural resources of the border gether on crossborder pro lakes region through collabo jects that promote the eco ration to meet the needs of nomic, cultural and natural present and future genera health of the lakes, forests tions. and communities on the

Minnesota/ border. SHARED VALUES From out of a broad collec A key requirement for suc tion of separate entities, the Heart of the Continent, common identity is the cess among the Partnership HOCP is seeking to develop which consists of over 5 mil desire to create and sus is trust in a fair, open and a common identity and lion acres (2 million hec tain economic stability for communicative process. The sense of belonging to the tares) of public lands. Along the communities that sur Heart of the Continent is a larger crossborder area, the with the development of a round these public lands. nonpartisan forum where diverse groups can meet and seek new ways to work to The Need for the Heart of the Continent Partnership gether. As a nonpolicy part Because the Heart of the border. These divisions have larger context. Cooperative nership, the group does not Continent ecosystem is an historically posed barriers to leadership among the Heart take positions nor attempt to interconnected whole, a re collaboration. Communities of the Continent Partnership influence the policies of par gionwide vision is necessary could better work together to is fostering increased knowl ticipants. to ensure its sustainability. reap benefits from market edge, trust, projects, funding

The ecosystem’s landscape ing the region as a whole. and effectiveness, which in

is divided by all sorts of Land managers could in turn will increase stature

boundary lines: park and crease cooperation on plans and sustainability of the re

forest boundaries, county that make sense for the con gion’s public lands.

lines, even an international nected natural areas in a

Heart of the Continent Partnership Goals ► To build regionwide dialogue, cooperation and capacity among communities, public land managers, and conservation and recreation and industry groups to benefit our border re gion to enable vibrant communities to flourish alongside healthy public lands.

HOCP Fact Sheet ► To create opportunities for groups to work together in new ways that can benefit the July, 2010 lakes, forests, wildlife and people of this ecosystem. www.heartofthecontinent.org Partnership Events HOCP ACTION STRATEGIES Participants have identified THE HEART OF THE CONTINENTCONTINENT————CENTENNIALCENTENNIAL CANOE VOYAGE five broad action strategies In 2009, HOCP organized a nearly 350mile (563 kilometers), 18day canoe expedition across as they work together on the region where 60 partners took part in paddling a 27foot (8.2 meters) canoe as a way to common goals and cross meet two of its goals—build awareness of the region as an interconnected whole, and build border projects. relationships and good will among the diverse stakeholders in the region. Along the route, community celebrations included historic, interpretive presentation, voyageur canoe rides, ► Developing an identity for crafts and presentations on Non Native Invasive Species and Leave No Trace principles. Many the region as a single whole, paddlers have commented on the lasting and supporting economic benefits of the trip: paddling sidebyside growth and cultural empow with someone who might have been seen erment in the surrounding as the opposition before, and now has be communities. come someone known and better under stood as a potential partner. The voyage ► Providing a forum for was held in conjunction of the 100th anni separate groups to plan and versaries of and work together on projects . that reach beyond their separate borders and to REGIONAL MEETINGS build mutual respect and Representatives from participating organizations meet quarterly and the steering committee understanding. at least monthly,Canoe the building Heart of the relationships Continent, July 2009 and developing ways to work together. HOCP’s efforts to date have been largely focused on forming the partnership itself: building new relation ►►► Cooperating in the areas ships, engaging the various public land agencies, forming a network of interested participants of scientific research and from around the region, and beginning to publicize the effort. The partnership has held ap management, and promoting proximately 12 general meetings in a variety of cities. Scientific topics have included: Fire the region as a global scien ecology in the HOCP region, a talk by researchers about sturgeon in the HOCP region and a tific research opportunity. An presentation on the history and culture of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. These gatherings example of an issue needing have led to an increase of knowledge and respect among the many stakeholder groups in the cooperation is Climate area and have contributed to improved communications and have spawned new relationships Change. in the region. Check the website www.heartofthecontinent.org for information on upcoming meetings and topics. ►►► Joining forces in educa tion, outreach, and support for public lands in the Heart Looking Forward of the Continent region. ► Balancing Nature and Commerce in Communities that Neighbor Public Lands

►►► Sharing resources for ► Heart of the Continent International Community Congress 2011 capital improvements such HOCP plans to focus much of its work in 2010 on building understanding and connections as trail development and between gateway communities around the crossborder region and the public lands that sur maintenance. round them. In particular, HOCP will work to foster broad public dialogue around the Heart of the Continent region on how healthy communities can flourish alongside healthy public lands.

In Jan. 2010, a HOCP team attended Balancing Nature and Commerce in Communities that Neighbor Public Lands. In 2010, they and others in the region will form a design team to work with communities to increase their vibrancy and economic sustainability focusing on their con nection to their public lands. Plans will be developed to hold a similar workshop for gateway communities to be offered locally in 2011. Interested parties can contact us by email at: [email protected] . www.heartofthecontinent.org Getting Involved Landscape of the HOCP The Heart of the Continent region spans the international The Heart of the Continent Partnership (HOCP) is border between northeastern and northwestern open to all organizations who support the organiza Ontario. Stretching between and the western tion’s mission and who have a stake in the long shores of , the Heart of the Continent region term health of the lakes, lands and communities includes the largest expanse of public green space in the on the Ontario/Minnesota border. At this time, heart of North America: more than 5 million acres (2 hec HOCP is not a membership organization, but a tares) of working forest, rugged scenery, pristine water loose network. sheds, abundant wildlife and outstanding biodiversity. ► REGIONAL MEETINGSMEETINGS: HOCP welcomes inter ested organizations to attend its quarterly meet Several separately managed natural areas are encom ings, which are a great opportunity to share ideas, passed by this landscape at the “heart of the continent,” meet colleagues and participate in HOCP’s ongoing including Quetico Provincial Park, Superior National Forest activities. (including the Canoe Area Wilderness), ► EMAIL COMMUNITY: HOCP uses a listserve to , make it easier for participants to communicate Fort William Historic Park, with each other, have discussions and share ideas. Grand Portage National Sign up at : Monument and www.heartofthecontinent.org/getwww.heartofthecontinent.org/getinvolved/involved/ numerous smaller

Minnesota state forests

and parks and

provincial parks in

Ontario.

HOCP Leadership HOCP is led by an active steering committee, whose membership re flects the evolving diversity of the general partnership. The steering HOCP Contact Information committee is currently composed of the heads (or lead staff) of all the Heart of the Continent Partnership public land agencies, as well as major nonprofit players and commu 126 North 3rd Street nity leaders. These are individuals with a long history of involvement Suite 400 in the region and a deep interest in the future of the heart of the con Minneapolis, MN 55401 tinent region. Phone: 6123331858

Email: [email protected] Partner Organizations HOCP Steering Committee Chair HOCP Steering Committee Chair The HOCP collaboration continues to grow as more and more groups Doug Franchot (9522530080) perceive the benefits of working together to promote the land and Voyageurs National Park Association (Board) HOCP Coordinator communities of these areas. More than 25 organizations have partici Bret Hesla (6123331858) pated in one or more meetings. Since meetings are rotated to loca tions throughout the region, each meeting has brought in one or two Steering Committee Members Affiliation new participant groups to the process. Tim Cochrane Grand Portage National Monument Paul Danicic Friends of the Boundary Waters Lynda Horman Provincial Park Partner Support Rich Kelley Quetico Foundation Partners help support the work of HOCP through sliding scale annual Brian McLaren Lakehead University dues. The funds are used to help cover HOCP’s general operating ex Kathleen Przybylski Voyageurs National Park penses, including various meeting costs, coordinator hours and print Lisa RadosevichCraig Superior National Forest Robin Reilly Quetico Provincial Park ing . www.heartofthecontinent.org Heart of the Continent Region

►The Heart of the Continent region includes the largest expanse of public green space in the heart of North America: more than 5 million acres (2 hectares). The region spans the International border from Rainy Lake to the western shores of Lake Superior.

Who’s Involved

The Heart of the Continent Partnership collaboration continues to grow as groups perceive the benefits of working together to promote the land and communities of these areas. The following organizations, listed alphabetically, have participated in one or more meetings in the past two years:

Canada Parks and Wilderness Society (CPWS)...Eaton Associates…Ely Chamber of Commerce…. Ernest Oberholtzer Foundation...Fort William Historical Park…Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness… Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest…Friends of Quetico Provincial Park...Friends of Voyageurs National Park… Grand Portage National Monument...Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy...Izaak Walton League… Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Council...Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness......Quetico Parks...Quetico Provincial Park...Quetico Superior Foundation…Rainy Lake Conservancy… Rainy River First Nations...RyderWalker Alpine Adventures…Superior National Forest...The Nature Conser vancy...Trust for Public Lands...University of Minnesota Center for Hardwood Ecology...Urban ConnectionsTwin Cit ies...Voyaguers National Park...Voyaguers National Park Association...Wilderness Inquiry...Wilderness News