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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gustavus Land Legacy and The Nature Conservancy Move ForwardGroups plan to sign agreementApril 3, 2001 Today was a busy day for the Gustavus Land Legacy. Development Director Jeff Pickett of The Nature Conservancy's Alaska Chapter was here from Anchorage to meet with local business owners, Gustavus Land Legacy organizers, and the public. At the evening meeting, Gustavus Land Legacy (a committee of the Gustavus Community Association) and The Nature Conservancy answered questions about their relationship with each other, how they will raise $4 million, and how legacy lands will be managed once they are purchased. The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Alaska Chapter opened its doors in 1988 as part of the Conservancy's protection work at the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The Alaska Chapter's Board of Trustees comprises an impressive list of well-known Alaskans, from Jay Hammond to Walter Hickel. In December 2000, the Alaska Coastal Forests Program office opened in Juneau. The program emphasizes working with local communities to conserve the great places of the region. The Gustavus Mental Health Lands fit right in with this program because of their high habitat value and because of the local support shown by the Gustavus Land Legacy. With a million members and 92 million acres protected internationally, The Nature Conservancy offers invaluable expertise with conservation actions, real estate transactions, and fundraising. The Nature Conservancy and Gustavus Land Legacy are working on a management agreement. A draft agreement will be presented at the next Gustavus Land Legacy meeting in early May, but it appears that it will include the following:
There was considerable discussion about what would and would not be allowed on the Legacy lands. It was generally agreed that the Gustavus Land Legacy mission is to conserve the wildlife and habitat and provide opportunity for continuing traditional uses. Current uses will not be restricted unless they are detrimental to wildlife or their habitat, or they cause user conflict that can't be resolved any other way. However, it was also agreed that there is already user conflict, especially over vehicle use. The management plan will spell how to deal with these user conflicts. Restrictions would be a last resort if the conflict could not be resolved through negotiation. For the complete meeting notes and more information about the Gustavus Land Legacy and The Nature Conservancy, visit the Gustavus Land Legacy web site at http://gustavuslandlegacy.org/ or call Hank Lentfer at 697-2221 Nathan Borson
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