The Heart of the Continent Partnership, which brings together land managers and community leaders from northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario to consider cross-border projects that promote the region, has formed another alliance. The Heart of the Continent Partnership (HCOP) is now working with National Geographic Maps to highlight the world-class natural and cultural attractions of the Heart of the Continent. And according to Cook County Visitors Bureau (CCVB) Director Linda Kratt, community input is needed.
CCVB Director Kratt participated in the latest HOCP meeting in Duluth in February 2014, where the partnership with National Geographic was officially introduced. Kratt said it is an exciting project with a unique angle. “I don’t know how many people know that we live in the heart of the continent. When you look at the map, you can see it. It’s a large area—from Duluth to Quetico Provincial Park to Thunder Bay, over to Rainy Lake and down our beautiful coast. Heart of the Continent spans a huge area. And in it, we have it all,” she said.
Kratt said she believes it important for Cook County to be a part of the HOCP group, especially in this National Geographic Map project. Kjersti Vick, recently hired as CCVB’s marketing coordinator, agreed. Vick, who has quickly gotten up to speed on HOCP explained the community based nomination process.
Vick said community input would be used to create a National Geographic “Geotourism MapGuide” for the region. Local businesses, residents and visitors are invited to nominate landmarks, attractions, activities and even local foods that define the region’s character and distinctive appeal. “They want a local perspective. Businesses or citizens should submit nominations,” she said, “Everyone should!”
“Participation by local residents is critical to the project’s success,” said Frank Jewell, HOCP Steering Committee Chair. “Our goal is to get nominations from across the region that identify the things people love best, those ‘must see’ places that might range from an incredibly beautiful hike to a historic downtown with exceptional galleries and restaurants.”
“The National Geographic Maps Division is pleased to have the opportunity to spotlight this region and, in doing so, support and sustain it as one of the treasured natural places on the globe,” said James Dion, director of tourism programs, National Geographic Maps. “The MapGuide will celebrate the area’s abundant scenic, cultural and historical attributes from the unique vantage point of those who live there.” Commissioner Sue Hakes learned about the possible HOCP and National Geographic partnership at the January 2014 HOCP meeting in International Falls. Hakes said, “The Heart of the Continent Partnership sees great benefit in working with National Geographic to promote economic development across our international region, ‘the heart of the continent.’ National Geographic provides an amazing opportunity to highlight our region’s world class recreation, significant geological features, and unique history and culture.”
Marketing Coordinator Vick said CCVB could nominate “must see” places in Cook County, but asked, “How would we choose? It would be like picking a favorite child. We want the community to make nominations.”
Kratt said, “It’s really easy. You just go online and fill out a form.”
Nominations may be made through June 15, 2014 at www.traveltheheart.org.
After public nominations are made, the MapGuide development process calls for oversight by a regional committee, which will review and sort nomination submissions prior to sending them to National Geographic. They will have final say on the selected sites. The interactive Web site will be available late fall or early winter 2014.
The National Geographic Society has completed, or is working with, community-based alliances to develop similar Geotourism MapGuides such as the U.S. Gulf Coast States (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi); Central Cascades (Oregon, Washington); the Crown of the Continent (Alberta, British Columbia, Montana); Four Corners (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah); and the Tennessee River Valley (Smoky Mountains through Knoxville and south to Chattanooga and north Georgia).
For more information on National Geographic Maps, visit natgeomaps.com.
HOCP will be holding its spring quarterly meeting on May 29-30, 2014 at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park approximately 1 hour east of Thunder Bay. For information on that meeting or the HOCP organization, visit www.heartofthecontinent.org.
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