Nature Conservancy $2.3M anchors Keweenaw, Michigan, community forest management project

The Nature Conservancy has committed a $2.3 million endowment to Michigan’s Keweenaw Community Foundation to support long-term governance of a 22,000-acre community forest transitioning into public ownership. KCF is also leading a $600,000 campaign to fund early operations as a new locally elected management board is formed and prepares to begin operation in 2027. The combined effort is designed to ensure both startup capacity and long-term stewardship, funding legal setup, administrative operations, and governance infrastructure while shifting forest management into a publicly accountable, community-led system.