We’re starting a new quarterly story in our e-news called Donor Spotlight, which will feature an individual, business or organization that is an active supporter of the Washington Association of Land Trusts. This issue we’re featuring Brian Childs, the Training Program Manager at Moz and a long time donor and volunteer for WALT.
Brian has been a tireless WALT supporter. In addition to his financial support, Brian has lent his digital marketing expertise to help update our website and other online communications. What’s more, Brian invited WALT to participate in his company’s annual conference, MozCon, as one of three featured nonprofits to which attendees could donate.
Through this work, Brian has helped share a passion for WALT’s mission with new people in the Puget Sound technology sector, to educate them on the importance of land trusts and involve them in our work.
Brian’s support of conservation begins with his own ties to the land. In the 1960s, his relatives purchased 25 acres of forest on Vashon Island. As his relatives aged, Brian took over management of the forest property.
“I remember the first time I walked on it. I had no experience with land management, knew nothing of forestry, hydrology,” he said. On that visit, and visits to come, he was accompanied by his childhood friend Erik Kingfisher. Erik is now the Stewardship Director of the Jefferson Land Trust. “Erik helped me get my bearings,” Brian added.
Over many visits to the Vashon woods, Erik helped Brian connect to his land. “Erik was able to explain that this amorphous “thing,” this piece of land, was more that just a geographic boundary. He explained the complexity of the ecosystem. He atomized a forest, turning it into “this tree” and “that fern,” and then afterwards was able to zoom out to explain the role of this habitat in the whole of the Puget Sound.”
“The more I spent time on this property, the more I loved it.”
Brian’s growing appreciation for the complexity of an ecosystem and for the responsibility of land management inspired him to get involved in land trust conservation. “I knew it was something I wanted to support,” says Brian.
“I used to be a pilot,” explains Brian. “From up above I could see the landscape for what it was. I could see all of the details, but also could zoom out to see the big picture.”
That big picture perspective has inspired Brian to support the Washington Association of Land Trusts in a big way. Brian understands that our state needs strong local land trusts, and a strong backbone organization to advocate and organize for land conservation.
In a time when there are so many threats to both our environment, and to the laws and public funds that help protect it, “you need organizations like WALT going and representing your interests,” says Brian.
“WALT gets it done.”