Heart of the Continent Partnership

Supporting Public Lands and the Surrounding Communities

Thank you to all who have contributed to our

Bi-National Collaboration in 2024

The Heart of the Continent Partnership (HOCP) is a

Canadian/American coalition of land managers and local stakeholders working together on cross-border projects that promote the economic, cultural, and natural health of the lakes, forests, and communities on the Minnesota/Ontario border

Please Donate

(Link to Backus Community Center our fiscal sponsor https://backusab.org/donations )

Request for 2025 Annual Dues

The Heart of the Continent Partnership works to support vibrant and resilient communities that value and protect public lands in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario   

In February 2024 - The Heart of the Continent Gathered in Grand Portage

Evening presentations were an artist panel that talked about how their art helped to tell the stories - Timothy Cochrane, author - Stacu Lola Drouillard, author- Travis Novitsky, photographer - Sam Zimmerman, painter

Grand Portage Heritage Center hosted a meeting for the HOCP Steering Committee that included representatives from some of our collaborating agencies:

Superior National Forest - Voyageurs National Park - Quetico Provincial Park - Grand Portage National Monument - Neebing Economic Development - Lakehead University - National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation - Grand Portage State Park - Isle Royale National Park - Fort William Historical Park

The next day at Grand Portage Resort &Casino we had back-to-back presentations, starting with a welcome message from April McCormick from The Grand Portage Band followed by some Grand Portage history with Travis and Rick Novitsky. Other presentations included

• MNDNR - Jay Cooke Signage Project and Trust Building
• Indigenous Ethical Forest Burning at Grand Portage
• Building Bridges - Apostle Island National Lakeshore and Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior
• Moose Habitat Planning Project

Later the Grand Portage Band Staff presented about the Memorandum Of Understanding with the United States Forest Service

• Managing Transboundary Lands with Dr. Brigette Lebion - Dean, Natural Resource Management Lakehead University

A late afternoon guided outing to the Spirit Tree

Evening films on the benefits of dark skies and our collaborating agencies that steward our designated dark sky places

More NOTES

It's your chance to connect!

We are gathering in 2025

Please keep in touch - we will be posting a date/location soon for a 2025 Winter Gathering

Our Dark Sky Initiative

Click picture to link

In the Heart of the Continent there is a combined mass of protected public lands that exceed over 5.5 million acres. Combined, it is one of the largest managed green space areas in the world, with some of the darkest skies. 

Three large public land agencies have received Dark Sky certifications from the International Dark Sky Association. Together Voyageurs National Park, Quetico Provincial Park and The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of the Superior National Forest make up one of the largest protected dark sky regions in the world. To read more about our Dark Sky Initiative visit our TraveltheHeart Geotourim site and click on Preserving the Starry Skies

Our Public Lands

Click picture to link

We have witnessed some unusual activity in the recreation and tourism industry in the past few years. Some of it has been good, but some has taken a toll on our public lands and our economy. 

It has been very beneficial to have land managers from multiple agencies on both sides of the border discussing issues to help find solutions. 

Our Sister Sites Arrangement is to promote national and international cooperation for mutual benefit of all of these special places. It is to enrich the experiences of the visitors and economies of surrounding communities. To read more about our Sister Sites Arrangement visit our Partnership site https://heartofthecontinent.org

More Opportunities for Sustainable Tourism and Recreation than Imaginable



The border lakes area of the Heart of the Continent have always been known for the world class canoeing and paddling opportunities.

We are also fortunate to have a large cross country ski community with top notch trails and downhill ski resorts. We have world class fishing, fly in camps, cycling and hiking trails. There is an avid dog sledding community, both commercial and competitive.

 

Sharing ideas and expanding recreation and tourism partnerships help to identify ways we can work together across boundaries, providing sustainable recreation and tourism now and into the future. 

 Bike the Heart is one example. Visit TraveltheHeart to learn more Click picture

Our Bi-National Intertwined History

The canoe routes west of Lake Superior have been the highways of trade long before borders. Before the Europeans, there is evidence of trade through the border lakes - flint, copper, shell beads, and pottery have all been found. During the fur trade, the Indigenous trades continued. The defined border created a story of new historical trade routes and the building of Fort William.

Our story has had hurdles, but trade across our borders continue to flourish. It has been said that if the Great Lakes Region was a country, it would have the 3rd largest economy in the world. 

Our individual needs throughout the Heart of the Continent region are highly reliant on each other for collective successes. 

Together, through our shared initiatives and integrated conversation, we can make this region stronger and more sustainable.

Our Geotourism Initiative

Click picture to link

National Geographic has worked with partners to develop Geotourism WebSite MapGuides in several regions around the United States and the world, including The Heart of the Continent. 

The purpose is to capture what is unique about our history, cultural and natural landmarks; events, attractions and activities; businesses; trails; artists, artisans and storytellers as well as local legends.

This project helps to promote a region-wide vision to ensure sustainability of this interconnected ecosystem, and helps tell the story of the region through the voices of the people who live there. It's FREE

Over 700 landing pages have been created. https://traveltheheart.org/



Sharing Local Knowledge, Science Research



Our goal is improving understanding of natural and cultural resources across the Heart of the Continent. We do this by raising awareness of threats and management challenges to the preservation of those resources, and promoting collaboration among scientists, managers, and other partners across political, cultural, and administrative boundaries. All this so that resources can be better managed in a landscape context. 

Heart of the Continent Partnership continues to strengthen partnerships to support natural and cultural resources across the regional landscape. More information on our 2016 and 2019 science symposiums can be found by clicking on photo above. Our latest gathering notes can also be found here on our Partnership Website

Your annual support has made a huge difference in helping HOCP continue its mission to sustain and celebrate this wonderful cross-border region through collaboration. Heart of the Continent believes that today, more than ever, partnerships are important as we work together to promote each other for sustainable economic success.

Together we can create and maintain strong relationships and partnerships that share in knowledge and prosperity. Our partnership with National Geographic MapGuide Division—the Geotourism Initiative—continues to help brand our area as a world-class destination. www.traveltheheart.org

Public-private partnerships are vital for improving stakeholder relations, marketing, and maintaining long-term sustainability. Heart of the Continent Partnership includes stakeholders from government, private industry, tourism, local communities, non-profit clubs, organizations, and citizens. We feel partnerships for sustainable economic growth and recreation are an essential tool to improve our gateway communities and celebrate our neighbouring public lands. Our work has long-term, deeply-rooted benefits for protecting the area we live in, and the livelihood of our communities.

We strive for a diverse leadership with sometimes opposing views but with a common goal: to support vibrant and resilient communities that value and protect public lands in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario.

You can contribute now online to Backus Community Center (our fiscal sponsor in International Falls) by following the link below. https://backusab.org/donations

Annual Dues Levels:

Supporting Partner: $1000 - $5000 per year

Sustaining Partner: $500 - $999 per year

Associate Partner: $100 - $499 per year

Participating Partner: $10 - $99 per year

Cheques can be written and sent to:

In Canada

Atikokan Economic Development Corporation

Attn/Memo HOCP Membership dues

Box 218, 214 Main St W. Atikokan, ON CANADA P0T 1C0

In the U.S.

Backus Community Center

Memo line - HOCP Membership Dues

900 Fifth Street, International Falls, MN 56649

PLEASE DONATE

(Link to Backus Community Center our fiscal sponsor)

Thank you so much for your Voluntary Annual Dues

Thank you for participating and supporting our work and the Heart of the Continent Partnership. Please give us a call if you have questions or concerns or would like to be more involved with our projects:

Tonia (Chair) -1-218-464-2941 or Chris (Coordinator) 1-807-598-1074.

Sincerely,

Tonia Kittelson

Tonia Kittelson – Chair, Heart of the Continent Partnership

Thank you for your continued support