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

Who We Are MISSION The Heart of the Continent The Heart of the Continent Partnership (HOCP) is a Partnership works to Canadian-American coalition inclusively build vibrant and of land managers and local resilient communities that stakeholders working together value and protect public lands on cross-border projects that in northeastern Minnesota and promote the economic, northwestern Ontario. cultural and natural health of the lakes, forests and communities on the Minnesota-Ontario border. SHARED VALUES Within this broad coalition, The success of the Heart of the High Falls, Pigeon River Provincial Park

Continent Partnership (HOCP) HOCP is developing a is based in trust and a fair, open common identity and sense of hectares (five million acres) economic stability for the communications. belonging to the larger of public lands. Along with communities that surround the development of a these public lands. The Partnership is a cross-border area, the Heart common identity is the desire non-partisan forum where of the Continent, which to create and sustain diverse groups can meet and consists of over two million work together. The partnership does not take positions nor The Need for the Heart of the Continent Partnership attempt to influence the Because the Heart of the lines, even an international Cooperative leadership policies of participants, other Continent ecosystem is an border. These divisions have among the Heart of the than celebrating support for interconnected whole, a historically posed barriers to Continent Partnership is our public lands and our region-wide vision is collaboration. Communities fostering increased neighbouring communities. necessary to ensure its could reap benefits from knowledge, trust, projects, sustainability. marketing the region as a funding and effectiveness, whole. Land managers could which in turn will increase The ecosystem’s landscape is increase cooperation on plans stature and sustainability of divided by all sorts of that make sense for the the region’s public lands and boundary lines: park and connected natural areas in a communities. forest boundaries, county larger context.

Heart of the Continent Partnership Goals

• To build region-wide dialogue, cooperation and capacity among communities, public land managers, conservation, recreation and industry groups to benefit our border region and to enable vibrant communities to flourish alongside healthy public lands

• To create opportunities for groups to work together in new ways that can benefit the lakes, forests, wildlife and people of this ecosystem

CURRENT PROJECTS Geotourism Initiative—an HOCP-National Geographic Collaboration

We have a partnership with National Geographic Society to designate the Heart of the

Continent as a part of a growing international network of regional geotourism destinations. The results include an interactive website and mobile app that enable visitors to see in one place the multiple attractions throughout the public lands and communities of our international region. This project is a large step in building the regional identity for and a

sense of community within the Heart of the Continent.

ACTION STRATEGIES

Increase respect for the land Connecting Volunteers in the Heart of the Continent and its people: Develop an We have created a website page to encourage and coordinate volunteering across the Heart of identity for the region as a the Continent region. whole. Celebrate the region. Support economic growth and cultural empowerment. Scientific Research Support HOCP considers the accurate collection and use of data as crucial to making sound, regional Collaborate across decisions. The science committee presents lectures, hosts a database of current and past boundaries: Facilitate communication, trust, respect, research, and assists with cooperation among partner agencies in sharing data and applications understanding and resource for research funding. sharing between groups.

Promote scientific research PAST HIGHLIGHTS and its applications: Share International Community research to inform Congress: Balancing nature and decision-makers. Encourage commerce in communities that cooperative scientific activities. neighbour public lands (2011-2013) Promote the region as a global The 2011 International Community research opportunity. Congress was a multi-day forum and Build awareness of and training event held in Thunder Bay, ON support for public lands: and Grand Portage, MN. The workshop Expand public perceptions of brought together this large-scale habitat. community teams from both sides of the border to learn how to best take advantage of the Encourage and foster a land incredible natural resources of this area while strengthening our communities. Key results include ethic. new community initiatives as well as new working relationships.

Share resources to benefit Canoe the Heart of the Continent

public lands and communities: In 2009, HOCP organized a 18-day canoe Facilitate collaboration among expedition across the region as a way to meet groups to improve public lands and promote the balancing of two of its goals—build awareness of the region nature and commerce in as an interconnected whole, and build

communities that neighbour relationships and good will among the diverse

public lands. stakeholders in the region. Sixty partners took part in paddling an 8.2 meter (27-foot) canoe along the 563 kilometer (350-mile) route in celebration

of the 100th anniversaries of Quetico Provincial Park and the Superior National Forest.

Sister Sites Arrangement: In 2011 agencies along the border agreed that it was beneficial to collaborate on share common goals for the benefit of the public lands and gateway communities. A Sister Sites Arrangement was signed by representatives from Ontario Parks, p.2/4 United States Forest Service and the National Park Service.

Join Us Landscape—An International Treasure The Heart of the Continent Partnership (HOCP) is open The Heart of the Continent region—with two million hectares to all organizations who support HOCP’s mission and (five million acres) of public lands—includes several separately who have a stake in the long-term health of the lakes, lands and communities on the Ontario/Minnesota managed natural areas: Quetico Provincial Park, Superior border. At this time, HOCP is not a membership National Forest (including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area organization, but a network. Wilderness), Voyageurs National Park, Fort William Historical Park, Grand Portage National Monument and numerous smaller • REGIONAL MEETINGS: HOCP welcomes Minnesota state forests and parks and provincial parks in interested organizations to attend (and consider Ontario, all surrounded by a host of vibrant gateway hosting) one of its round-table meetings. These communities. are a great opportunity to share ideas, meet colleagues and participate in HOCP’s ongoing activities. • EMAIL COMMUNITY: HOCP uses a list-serve to distribute meeting announcements and opportunities for engagement. Sign up at : www.heartofthecontinent.org/get-involved/ •

Diverse Leadership

HOCP is led by an active steering committee, whose

membership reflects the evolving diversity of the general partnership. Leadership includes the heads (or lead staff) of all the public land agencies, as well as community leaders and 214 Main Street West major nonprofit players. These are individuals with a long Atikokan Ontario history of involvement in the region and a deep interest in the Chris Stromberg Coordinator Phone: 807-598-1074 future of the Heart of the Continent region. Email: [email protected] www.heartofthecontinent.org Broad-Based Support More than half of our support comes in the form of in-kind HOCP Steering Committee Chair contributions of staff time and travel from our participating Frank Jewell (218-726-2450) organizations—in general meetings, steering committee work

Steering Committee Members, Affiliation and the planning and implementing joint projects. Gord Knowles, Atikokan Economic. Dev. Corp. Partner organizations also help support HOCP operating Lori Dowling-Hanson, MNDNR expenses through voluntary, sliding-scale annual dues. John Cameron, Tourism Thunder Bay Ann Schwaller , Superior National Forest Paul Danicic, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wld. Doug Franchot, Voyageurs National Park Assoc. James Bennitt, Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park Frank Jewell, St. Louis County Board Pam Cain, Path of the Paddle Assoc. Eric Johnson, Voyageur NP Assoc. Lisa Radosevich-Craig, Superior National Forest Tawnya Schoewe, Voyageurs National Park Andy Hubley, Arrowhead Regional Dev. Commission Mary Somnis, Cook County/Grand Marais EDA Trevor Gibb, Quetico Provincial Park p.3/4 Tonia Kittelson, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wld.

Regional Meetings Representatives from participating organizations meet quarterly (and the steering committee meets bimonthly), building relationships and developing ways to work together. Heart of the Continent Partnership holds general meetings in locations throughout the region. Each gathering, open to anyone, includes a public lecture as well as a general meeting. By increasing knowledge and respect among stakeholder groups HOCP meetings have improved communications and spawned new working relationship among leaders.

The Heart of the Continent Region

The Heart of the Continent region includes the largest expanse of public green space in the center of North America: more than two million hectares (five million acres). The region spans the Ontario-Minnesota border, from Rainy Lake to the north shore of Lake Superior.

Over 120 Partner Organizations The Heart of the Continent Partnership 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 financially or have participated in meetings.

•Arrowhead Coalition for Multiple Use • Fri ends of Quetico Provincial Park •Northland Foundation •Arrowhead Lodge and Resort •Grand Marais •Oliver-Paipoonge •Arrowhead Regional Development Commission •Grand Portage Band of the Lake Superior •Ontario Parks •Ash Trail Lodge Chippewa •Ontario Trails Council •Atikokan Chamber of Commerce •Grand Portage Lodge and Casino •Outdoor Skills and Thrills •Atikokan, City of •Grand Portage National Monument •Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota •Atikokan Economic Development Corporation •Grand Portage State Park •Path of the Paddle •Atikokan SnoHo Snowmobile Club •City of Greenstone •PolyMet Mining *Backus Community Center •Gunflint Lodge •Quetico Foundation •Beaten Path Nordic Trails •Gunflint Trail Historical Society •Quetico Provincial Park •Boreal Forest and Community Resilience Project •Hartley Nature Center •Quetico Superior Foundation (at the Univ. of Minn. Institute on the •Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy •City of Ranier Environment) *International Dental Arts •Rainy Lake Conservancy •Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Club •International Falls CVB •Rainy Lake Nordic •Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) *Iron Range Historical Society •Rainy River First Nations •Canoe Canada Outfitters •Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board •Raven Productions, Inc. •Canoeing.com Limited •International Wolf Center •Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance •Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center •Izaak Walton League Program, National Park Service •The Conservation Fund •Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park Cluster •RTO 13C Northwest Ontario •Conservationists with Common Sense – CWCS *Karen Franchot •Ryder-Walker Alpine Adventures •Cook County Board of Commissioners •Koochiching County Board •St. Louis County Board •Cook County News Herald • Koochiching County EDA •Sandy Point Lodge •Cook County Public Health and Human Services •Lake County •Sawbill Outfitters Advisory Committee •Lakehead Region Conservation Authority •Sawtooth Mountain Clinic •Cook County Visitors Bureau •Lakehead University •Sierra Club •Crane Lake Township *La Place Rendezvous •Sleeping Giant Provincial Park •Destination Voyageurs National Park •Laurentian Environmental Center •Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site •Duluth •Minnesota Arrowhead Association •Superior National Forest •Duluth Sister Cities International •Minnesota Department of Natural Resources •The Nature Conservancy •Eaton Associates •Minnesota Environmental Partnership •Tourism Thunder Bay •Ely Chamber of Commerce •Minnesota Forest Resources Council •Trans Canada Trail Ontario •Ernest Oberholtzer Foundation •Minnesota Historical Society •Trust for Public Land •Eskakwa Eco-adventure Co. •Minnesota Power •Two Harbors Chamber of Commerce •Eveleth •Mountain Iron •University of Minnesota Center for •Forest Capital Partners •Neebing Hardwood Ecology •Fort Frances •National Parks Conservation Association •Urban Connections–Twin Cities •Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce •National Parks – Rivers and Trails •Visit Cook County •Fort Frances Downtown Business Improvement •Natural Resources Conservation Service •Voyageurs National Park Area •Neebing Economic Development •Voyageurs National Park Association •Fort William Historical Park •North of Superior Travel Association •Wilderness Inquiry •Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness •North Shore Stewardship Association •Wilderness News •Friends of Chippewa Park •Northeast Minnesota Sustainable Development •Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center •Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest Partnership •WoodsPort Cottages •Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness

www.heartofthecontinent.org p.4/4