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The latest update on fundraising to purchase Camp Ojiketa is that the effort is about $170,000 shy of the amount negotiated with Camp Fire Council for acquisition.

Ojiketa is 70-plus acres on the shoreline of Big Green Lake, and is a virtually untouched forest and wetlands area. Ojiketa has been used as a camp for over 80 years but was recently closed for financial concerns, by Camp Fire.

Trust for Public Land worked out an option agreement with Camp Fire to buy Ojiketa but the window of opportunity closes at the end of December.

Chisago City is funding $1.5 million in bonding to help buy the site, valued at $3.8 million. The goal is to create a regional park preserving valuable habitat and open space and thousands of feet of shoreline.

TPL reports its Metro Conservation Corridors initiative has contributed $885,000, DNR Metro Greenways has granted $100,000, a DNR appropriation of $500,000 is secured and a $500,000 from a state bonding package will go towards this effort. The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District will add $10,000. Private contributions total about $130,000.

To contribute, there's a local account held by Chisago City: mail donations to Chisago City, 10625 Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box L, Chisago City, MN 55013 or on-line go to www.ojiketa.com.

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