Looking out across a room of 175 of the Northwest’s most dedicated conservationists, brought together by this year’s Land Camp to build networks and expertise, the word on everyone’s lips was hope.
This was the 5th biannual Northwest Land Camp, hosted in partnership by Washington Association of Land Trusts and the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts. Set in front of the backdrop of the Columbia Gorge, near the famed Vista House, Land Camp seemed a lifetime away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
“Land Camp is the best opportunity we have for advancing land trust work in the Northwest,” said Erika Carleton of Vashon Maury Island Land Trust. “We get expertise, relationships and ideas.” ”
“We have a robust land trust community in Washington and Oregon,” added Alice Williamson from Columbia Land Trust, “Northwest Land Camp allows all that experience and enthusiasm to come together – and it’s a fever pitch!”
Over three days in April, participants from Oregon and Washington were brought together to learn, network, and share knowledge. They attended six workshops and plenaries over the three days of Land Camp, with offerings geared towards four learning tracks: Stewardship, Land Protection, Leadership, and Development. Chris Bentley, a member of the Greenbelt Land Trust board, commented that “I think Land Camp is a “MUST” for those working in the field.”
Take a look at the materials from Land Camp workshops here.
Attendees were welcomed by Octaviano Merecias of the Latino Network, who offered a plenary talk on the importance of engaging new and diverse communities in conservation. Kim Stafford, Poet and Writing Institute Director at Lewis and Clark College, sent participants home with emotional and personal words celebrating the importance of the work we do.
“Land Camp showcases the best of what Pacific Northwest land trusts represent: conservation, collaboration, and camaraderie. There’s nothing else like it,” said Kate McBride from Friends of Columbia Gorge.
Many thanks to our sponsors who made Land Camp possible, including the Nature Conservancy, The Land Trust Alliance, US Forest Service and Green Diamond Natural Resource Company.