LETTER TO MEMBERS FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MOLLY DORAN

As members, partners, and landowners, you helped us achieve significant conservation and community successes in the past fiscal year. Thank you! Due to your support and help, twelve land conservation projects were completed, protecting 587 acres of land and almost two miles of marine and freshwater shoreline.

You helped us purchase or receive gifts of seven properties containing native forests, wildlife habitat, wetlands, farmland, and marine shoreline. Three new, permanent protection agreements (conservation easements) now protect more forest, marine areas, and wildlife habitat. Two projects assisted partners to protect land for future habitat restoration and parks. For these projects, we took out loans and used restricted funds and our reserves to hold properties and bridge finances for partners until they could secure grant funds to purchase them. This is the main reason that our annual expenses in the financial pie charts below are significantly higher than our annual income.

Your support ensured our stewardship program had the resources to monitor and manage 7,700 acres in 85 distinct conservation areas and conservation easements. Work included invasive species removal, planting thousands of native trees & shrubs, trail building, wildlife habitat enhancement, & removing dilapidated structures, vehicles and debris from conservation areas. Restoration or public access planning was carried out on the Samish Island isthmus, at Barney Lake and other areas, often working directly with nearby communities. Our stewardship team advanced new collaborative projects with landowners, tribes, conservation partners, businesses and public agencies.

We know that community engagement builds better, more sustainable projects and encourages a conservation-minded community. This was a focus for us this past year. 358 volunteers gave a combined 5,880 volunteer hours to Skagit Land Trust through land stewardship, education, events, and governance and committee work. We partnered with over 40 schools, tribes, organizations, and agencies. We are delighted that 450 youth visited our conservation areas, as part of our Conservation Classroom program. We expanded a heron-monitoring program for the March Point Heronry with volunteers. We engaged in planning and policy education on sea-level rise and climate change impacts in local plans, and gave input on plans affecting sensitive wildlife habitat. Field events, educational seminars and special events helped us engage directly with you.

Thank you to each and every one of you. We are honored by your commitment to conserving and stewarding land for today and tomorrow. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead.