Shirley Heinze Land Trust has announced a new initiative funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund. The project, slated to begin in the spring of 2025 and continue through the spring of 2028, will focus on enhancing climate resilience in the Calumet Region, which spans the Indiana-Illinois border.
Shirley Heinze will be collaborating with several key conservation organizations from the Calumet Land Conservation Partnership that are involved in conservation and community engagement across the Calumet region. This collaborative effort will engage coastal communities in building capacity and identifying nature-based solutions to improve resilience against the impacts of climate change. The project will center on listening to and working with residents, community groups, municipalities, and other stakeholders to co-create strategies and plans that incorporate local knowledge and priorities.
“By building strong relationships with the communities that are most impacted by climate change, we aim to identify solutions that are meaningful, relevant, and sustainable,” said Eric Bird, Stewardship Director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. “We are committed to empowering local voices and ensuring that the communities themselves play a central role in shaping the future of the Calumet Region’s coastal resilience.”
The project will focus on creating actionable strategies for nature-based solutions to address climate challenges, and a portion of the grant funds will support participation of local groups to ensure the interests of residents are incorporated into the planning process. Through these efforts, Shirley Heinze and its partners aim to advance conservation work that is rooted in the values and needs of the communities they serve.
“Shirley Heinze Land Trust is deeply grateful to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for their support and for making this project possible. This funding will be instrumental in helping the organization build a more resilient, sustainable future for the Calumet Region and the communities that call it home.” said Kristopher Krouse, Executive Director of the land trust.
More information on how to get involved and stay informed about the project will be shared as the work progresses. Additional information about the NCRF program can be found here: https://ow.ly/aQLh50Ujc1U
###
About Shirley Heinze Land Trust: Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has preserved and restored natural lands and waters in northwestern Indiana, including some of the rarest landscapes in the state. More than 3,400 acres in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke, and Marshall Counties have been protected. The organization also strives to build connections between communities and nature by engaging people of all ages in its work.
For more information on the work and nature preserves of Shirley Heinze Land Trust, visit www.heinzetrust.org, call (219) 242-8558, or access its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/heinzetrust.
About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the health of natural ecosystems so our native species can thrive. Working with public and private partners, NFWF supports science-based solutions to complex conservation challenges. NFWF is an equal opportunity provider. Learn more at www.nfwf.org.