The Board of Directors of Presbyterian Clearwater Forest is pleased to announce that Clearwater has completed the agreement with the Minnesota Department of Revenue to place the northern, rustic part of our property into a perpetual conservation easement in exchange for $1,663,620. This agreement, which was approved by all five governing bodies of Clearwater Forest, does not limit our ability to have trails for mountain biking and cross-country skiing or using it for wilderness camping programs.

We were well into negotiations for this easement prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the funds ($850,000) received from the easement will be permanently placed in the Clearwater Conservation Easement Endowment Fund with the earned income going to the annual budget each year. Part of the easement ($650,000) will be used as a bridge loan to the capital campaign to allow us to break ground on the needed renovations to Hallett Hall.  After covering about $3,000 of legal and filing fees, the balance of $160,000 will be used to cover some of the losses due to the pandemic.

When we first realized the possibility of not having summer programs, the question was raised, “What new possibilities does this give us?” This question and the availability of easement funds opened up the possibility of beginning the renovations to the dining hall during this time when we don’t have guests at camp. The original budget for the Hallett Hall renovation was $1,200,000 but we have reduced that to under $800,000 and will be using volunteer workgroups to help with some of the interior parts of the redesign. If you have a potential workgroup interested in coming to Clearwater in fall (pandemic orders allowing), please contact Lance@clearwaterforest.org.