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TRUST TALK
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| Volume 7, Issue 3 |
Fall 2000 |
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Conserving signature landscapes and vital habitat together with the communities of the Columbia River region
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Land Trust awarded $1.25 million for Gorge forest reserve
Paul G. Allen Forest Protection Foundation donates funds to Columbia Land Trust to acquire conservation lands near the Little White Salmon River in the Columbia Gorge.
The Paul G. Allen Forest Protection Foundation has awarded Columbia Land Trust a $1.25 million grant to purchase and conserve 203 acres of forest and agricultural lands in the Little White Salmon River watershed. In a unique partnership, Columbia Land Trust will acquire and own the land for conservation and Cold Spring Conservancy will pursue its goal to create a biodiversity reserve. "The Conservancy's goal to create a biodiversity reserve complements our organization's mission," says Glenn Lamb, Columbia Land Trust's executive director. "This project is only possible because of the generosity of the current landowners, Elisabeth and Gifford Pinchot Jr., Jane Mulder and Otis Wollan, and Sue Hall and Henry Patton, to sell at bargain prices, and it demonstrates the power of private, voluntary land conservation."
Forest overlooking Drano Lake-to be acquired with grant funds.
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The Little White Salmon River watershed is located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge in Washington and flows to Drano Lake and the Columbia River. Columbia Land Trust will complete the first of seven land acquisitions with the purchase of a 40-acre forested parcel in October 2000. These lands provide a critical habitat corridor across the Columbia River for the migration of spotted owl and other isolated populations of endangered species. The acquisition of these seven parcels bolsters the Cold Spring Conservancy's mission to create a Little White Salmon River Biodiversity Reserve and a research and education center to promote the art and science of sustainable watershed management.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for the Paul Allen Foundation to support private, voluntary conservation in the Gorge. This is a partnership to protect, sustain and learn about our natural environment in the Columbia River region," says Jody Patton, executive director of the Paul Allen Foundation.
PacifiCorps' commitment to donate an additional 120-acres of adjacent lands to the Biodiversity Reserve by 2002 was critical to securing the Allen grant. Cold Spring Conservancy is working with owners of adjacent properties in the Little White Salmon River watershed to acquire another 250-acres of old growth and late-successional forest and riparian area for the Biodiversity Reserve. Cold Spring Conservancy is initiating a major fundraising effort and currently soliciting support from local funders to purchase these lands.
Land Trust acquires 10 acres along Ash Creek in Camas
Collaborating with the City of Camas, Columbia Land Trust acquires 10 acres on Prune Hill to become part of the City's parks.
In collaboration with the City of Camas, Columbia Land Trust acquired 10 acres of forested hillside along Ash Creek on Prune Hill. The City of Camas identified the area for a public park. It is located between Prune Hill sports park and an area that will become "Grass Valley" park. Prior to the Land Trust's acquisition, the Ash Creek property was platted for development.
Columbia Land Trust has partnerships with the cities of Camas, Washougal, Battleground, Vancouver Mosier and White Salmon to buy and own land that will later become public parks. While the Land Trust owns the land, the municipality can apply for State funding to develop a public park. This allows the city years, if necessary to prepare for a park. Without the partnership, the city would have to acquire and apply for development grants within two years. The State of Washington encourages cities to partner with land trusts in this way to ensure public open spaces.
The Next Great Thing
Glenn Lamb's Musings
When I was ten I thought I should be President, or at least Senator, or maybe invent something important, like, say, electricity. Why not? Anything was possible. I could have ideas that would change the world. Today, at nearly forty, I haven't discovered The Next Great Thing. I have come to believe that our greatest contributions are not dramatic single actions but simply paying attention and helping each other with the little things, everyday. I don't feel like I am settling for less than my ten-year old dreams-not for a minute. What a difference it makes when someone cares enough to notice-a thoughtful comment, a reassuring smile, a joke at just the right time. At Columbia Land Trust, our work is about paying attention to the personal. Sitting across the table listening to life stories. A landowner whose parents' ashes are scattered along the river doesn't want a great idea or new invention. They want quiet reassurance, face to face, that their property will be conserved forever. Now, I happen to believe that private voluntary land conservation is a phenomenal invention. But the essential power isn't in the invention. The power is in how we treat each other. Columbia Land Trust is ten this year. The possibilities are just as limitless as when I was ten. May our future be filled with strong and true relationships that conserve important lands, and most of all, that provide clarity and comfort in this ever-challenging world.
New conservation director guides stewardship
With a grant from M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Columbia Land Trust hires Ian Sinks to expand land conservation program.
By Ian Sinks
When Columbia Land Trust completes a conservation project, our work is just beginning. Each new property brings the responsibility of stewarding the lands-forever. This year, the Land Trust is developing a more comprehensive approach to its land stewardship program. First, we identify priority lands. Next, we evaluate each new property to identify its conservation values such as fish and wildlife habitat, forest and grassland communities, agriculture and scenic views. We analyze the threats to the site that may include encroaching development, invasive species, forest health and adjacent land uses. Identifying the values and threats of a property sets the stage for a site-specific stewardship plan. A critical element to any stewardship plan is monitoring the site regularly, a priority for Columbia Land Trust. Our monitoring program ensures that the goals of conservation are being met and that the stewardship plan is effective in achieving these goals. Through this process we can guarantee the Land Trust fulfills its mission of land stewardship forever.
New staff
Conservation director, is a biologist who worked in wetlands habitat restoration and resource management. He served in the Peace Corps in Malawi, Africa as a parks and wildlife officer where he met his wife Nancy. Ian and Nancy secured their place in history with Columbia Land Trust when Nancy went into labor at the Land Trust annual membership picnic August 26th with their first child, a healthy boy named Nathanial.
Conservation project manager, helps with land conservation projects in 2000. Christine began her career as a natural resource staff for Senator Mark Hatfield and later worked for Congressman Earl Blumenauer as a field representative in the Columbia River Gorge.
Administrative assistant, was office manager at the Arc of Clark County where members of the SWIRL Club volunteer to enclose and staple each issue of the Land Trust newsletter. Tammy and her husband Eric love foreign travel and bird watching. They are long-time members of Columbia Land Trust.
Members continue to meet Ray Hickey Challenge
Following are gifts and memberships from mid July to October, 2000.
Members ($25+)
Dr. Twyla Barnes
Leonard & Gail Bauhs
Michael Bayly
Ted & Jan Breneman
Donald & Kathy Campton
Troy Clark
Kathleen Condon
Richard & Patricia Cook
Gordon Davis
Victor & Barbara DeAntonis
Jayne DeHaan
Steven Dotterrer
Carl Dugger
Mike & Marianne Eddington
Jane Ediger & Douglas Swanson
Dr. Douglas Edwards & Dr. Mojgan Rostamian
Sandra English
Andrea Friedrichsen
John & Catherine Gosling
Charles & Darlene Hamar
Ronald & Patricia Hart
Julie Hulme
Don & Addison Jacobs
James Jerde
Glenn Kaufman
Leigh Knox
Dr. John Kuitert
Carola Lacy
Charlene Larsen
Marcia Limoges
James & Judith Malinowski
Marcine Miller & William Miles
Jean & Thomas Miles
Edward Moye
Judy Noall
Gus & Jean Norwood
Walter & Carol Ottoson
Robert & Alice Pittenger
Dr. Robert & Thea Pyle
Janet Range & Eric Swehla
George & Julia Saslow
Susan Saul
Anne Saxby
Greg & Margaret Schirato
Allan Silverthorne
Robert & Sandra Smith
Elizabeth Stepp
Joel Swank
Roy Troup
Nancy & Stuart Vincent
Walt & Sharon Weber
John Whitehead
Brad Yazzolino
Stanley Zyskowski
Stewards ($50+)
Kent & Mary Anderson
Esther Beebe
William Berry
Eric & Tammy Bjorkman
Jayne Cronlund & Pat O'Neill
Linda Floyd
John & Sharon English
Dane Clark Jensen
Edmund & David Johnson
Dovie Lance
Steven & Patti Peterson
Sandra Polishuk
George & Gail Pollock
Susan Pollack
Richard & Lucinda Sisson
Judie Stanton
Zachary & Vasiliki Stoumbos
Larry & Julia Swatosh
Heather Tischbein & Doug Ault
Vancouver Audubon
William Paulus & Jennifer Viviano
Caretakers ($100+)
Peter Bahls
John Bartlett
Wilson & Susan Cady
Paul & Louise Clare
Holly Coccoli
Kathy Dietrich & Michael Munroe
Richard Engeman & Terry Jess
Eric & Elizabeth Holmes
Stephen Kenworthy
John & Jeanne Kojis
Edward Pavone & Charlene Hiss
Jack & Donna Rice
Karen Rumsey
Scott Smith & Diane Solomon
Sustainer ($250+)
Anonymous
Mitch Bower
Jack & Sherry Burkman
Roy & Kathleen Elmer
Bruce & Nancy Russell
Protectors ($500+)
Margaret Cornelius
Pat Hickey
Marc Smiley
Benefactors ($1,000+)
Anonymous
Glenn Lamb
Bronson Potter & Jayne VanDyke
$10,000
Wildlife Forever Fund - Grays River conservation
Planned Gifts
Anonymous
Cherie Kearney & Steven Clark
Doris Troxel
Giving through your will is a wonderful way to ensure a legacy of land conservation.
A special thank you this fall to Alan Parlee,
who recently resigned from the Board of
Directors. As Secretary and chair of the Lands Committee, Alan was instrumental in ensuring that Columbia Land Trust maintains the highest standards for all operations. Alan is pursuing a graduate degree in education. Alan, congratulations on your new direction. We wish you the best of luck. You are missed.
Thank you to Marlis Rufener.
Marlis' staff work managing our rapidly growing membership database and donor relations has been invaluable. She'll remain in our midst as a volunteer, while she pursues her architectural studies and business, FormScapes.
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Land Trust on display at Skamania Lodge
Visit Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington. In the heart of the Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, its towering river rock fireplace, magnificent views of the Gorge and original Northwest art give it distinction-and Columbia Land Trust is on display.
Through March 2001, the Land Trust has a walk-through exhibit at the main entrance of the Lodge in the U.S. Forest Service book store and information center. The display includes a six-foot map of the Columbia River Gorge, a perspective map of the Gorge as seen from Cape Horn, and photographs by professional landscape photographer Larry Lodwick. The full presentation was made possible by a grant from the Land Trust Alliance of the Northwest.
Mosier Falls receives top rating to become public park
Oregon Parks and Recreation rated the Mosier Falls grant second out of 67 applicants around the state and awarded $159,400 toward the purchase of the Falls to become a public park.
Thanks to the leadership of Mosier resident and Columbia Land Trust volunteer, Lynda Sacamano, the City of Mosier will soon have the park of its dreams. Mosier volunteers have joined together with the Columbia Land Trust to acquire 14 acres with Mosier Creek Falls. The spectacular falls are in Mosier, Oregon, population 260, in the National Scenic Area.
Mosier Falls in Mosier, Oregon.
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Last February, a landowner put the Mosier Waterfall property on the market along with proposal to subdivide the land for intense residential development. Mosier residents acted fast to save the 50-foot waterfall and swimming hole affectionately known as "The Pocket" and create the City's first public park. Mosier Waterfall is currently the only remaining waterfall in the Gorge that is in private ownership.
In August, Oregon State Parks and Recreation awarded a matching grant of $159,400 to the City of Mosier to acquire the land and create "Mosier Waterfall Park." Private donors gave $150,000 and are still working to raise the final $15,000 to complete the project. Mosier residents David and Lavonne Povey donated four and one-half acres of land adjacent to the upper falls.
Columbia Land Trust is facilitating the land acquisition by providing the funds and technical support to immediately purchase the nine and one-half acres and manage the transactions for the land donation and purchase. The Land Trust will deed the land to the City of Mosier to develop the park and the City of Mosier will reimburse the Land Trust with the grant funds and private donations.
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