Supporting a Great Organization

I don't want my blog to turn into a beg for donations, but I'm making an exception this holiday season. The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) is doing such great work to preserve the natural areas of the Copper Country, the area where I grew up. KLT manages Lightfoot Bay, the cabin I visit every summer and now they are looking to restore another block of land. I feel so strongly about their mission, that I want to share this email I received from them recently.


This is the final email focusing on the major details of KLT's Land Slam fundraising campaign. We've already covered the Paavola Wetlands Expansion and Point Abbaye Initiative, which leaves our Princess Point Water Trail Campsite project for last.  It may be small, but there's a lot of potential at this location and we need your help to make it happen!

The Princess Point property lies on the Keweenaw Waterway directly across from the Sturgeon River Sloughs. What the 4-acre property lacks in easy road access (it's a 40 minute drive from Houghton), it makes up for in its prime location for water-based activities. In addition to the Sturgeon River Sloughs, paddlers can explore the Snake River, numerous islands along the Portage River, and nearby Portage Lake, all within a short distance of their launch point. The majority of the shoreline in the vicinity is undeveloped, making this area ecologically rich and excellent for bird watching and fishing. Paddlers can visit for the day via the Sloughs boat launch off of US-41.

While 4 acres may not sound like much land, it's how we plan to use it that really matters. Princess Point is perfectly situated along the Keweenaw Water Trail and will make for an excellent rustic campsite for overnight visitors. The Copper Island Kayak Challenge recently highlighted the need for more public places along the Keweenaw's shoreline for camping or just a rest. With high and dry public land hard to come by in this area (most is wetland wildlife areas managed by the Michigan DNR), the Princess Point water trail campsite will fill an important need. The property has an old cabin that we plan to repair and allow visitors to stay in, similar to our offerings at Lightfoot Bay. With so many destinations within striking distance by canoe or kayak, paddlers can spend the night in a tent or inside the cabin and head out to visit more special places the next day.

The land, once a cherished family retreat, is generously being donated to KLT by a the current generation of a dispersed family that has local ties to the region. We are excited to share their vision for a public recreation area with the rest of the community. However, to accept the property we need to pay back taxes still owed - just a tiny fraction of the total project costs - before it's a done deal! Please donate to the Land Slam fundraiser to help establish the Princess Point Water Trail Campsite! We appreciate anything you can give to help make the Land Slam a reality.

-Keweenaw Land Trust Team

To give to the Keweenaw Land Trust, click on the Please donate link above or send your checks to

Keweenaw Land Trust

801 N. Lincoln Drive. Ste. 306

Hancock, MI 49930