What members have helped make possible:

* Another conservation easement of 520 acres of local working lands (our total is now over 1,700 acres with momentum building for more);
* Hiring our first Executive Director, Berent Culp;
* Honored by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife with the Organization of the Year Award;
* Education programs for middle school kids to teach a deeper understanding of and appreciation for our land; and
* Exploration of new ways to protect wildlife and promote healthy, productive farms and ranches.

Continued support will permit us to do more:

* Help more landowners protect their lands and our community values with new conservation easements,
* Support our accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance, a national organization that can help us continue to improve and expand our work, and
* Grow and strengthen the communication between farmers, ranchers, businesses, government, and citizens about long-term health, appreciation, and use of our land.

Help us ensure the future health and vitality of the Okanogan Valley. Please join with us. We could not have accomplished all we did in 2009 without the generosity of folks like you. We look to you this year for help in meeting our future goals. Please consider adding your support as we work together to maintain the qualities that make the Okanogan so unique.

There are benefits to joining! You will receive our newsletter, invitations to community evens and our annual dinner, our stewardship handbook, and other useful resources for protecting our very special community.

Contact our office at ovlc@communitynet.org for more information about joining. We hope to hear from you. Thank you!

Todd Thorn
Board President