Annual Members Meeting

Skagit Land Trust (SLT) held its 34th Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at the Mount Vernon Library Commons. Over 120 members gathered to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and to learn about plans for the year ahead. Skagit Land Trust Board members Mark Linnemann, Hal Lee, Lynne Wenberg-Davidson, Therese Ogle, and Warren Walz were reelected, and the Trust welcomed new Board member Phil McLoud.

Guest speakers Betsy Peabody, Chair of the Marine Resources Advisory Council, and Bill Dewey, Policy Director for Taylor Shellfish, shared their knowledge and experience combatting ocean acidification. The program included the screening of Changing Waters: Time for Action on Ocean Acidification, a new short film from the Ocean Acidification Alliance.

2026 Award Recipients

During the meeting, Skagit Land Trust granted awards to several special volunteers and partners who have contributed significantly to the mission and community of Skagit Land Trust:

• The first Conservation Award for 2026 went to Ellen Rak and Bill Dunlap for their donation of more than 20 acres of land to Skagit County for the expanded Big Rock Park. Working in concert with Skagit Land Trust, Ellen and Bill have been key partners in the effort to re-open and greatly expand the park. A second Conservation Award went to Mark and Diane Studley for their donation of a conservation easement on their property. The easement extinguishes development rights and protects a cherished viewscape and 26 acres of agricultural land, seasonal wetlands, and diverse forest.

• The Outreach Award went to Chris Varela in recognition of his deep commitment to Skagit Land Trust. Upon moving to Skagit County in 2018, Chris became a dedicated volunteer and member of the Trust.  For the past seven years, he has served as a Land Steward, Education and Outreach Ambassador, Committee Member, and Board Member. We are grateful to Chris for the thousands of students and community members he has helped Skagit Land Trust connect with.
• The Development Award went to Debbie Ensey in deep appreciation of her decade of service as the Auction & Events Coordinator for Skagit Land Trust. Thanks to her efforts, hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for conservation in the Skagit.  The lands and waters she helped protect and care for will remain for generations of people and wildlife to enjoy.

• The Stewardship Award went to Dike District 5 in recognition of the advice, knowledge, time, and logistical support that the three volunteer commissioners have spent supporting Skagit Land Trust’s stewardship of our Samish Island Conservation Area.
• The Great Blue Heron Award was awarded to Karen Krub for over 15 years as chair of the Land Committee and 18 years on the Board. Karen has brought incredible intelligence, attention to detail, memory, and wit to help advance the Trust’s mission. From helping to guide hundreds of successful acquisition projects, to collaborating on the Trust’s Conservation Strategy, to helping the Trust through multiple rounds of Accreditation, Karen’s service to Skagit Land Trust has been invaluable. It is no exaggeration to say the Trust is a far more effective, thoughtful, and professional organization because of Karen’s deep involvement over many years.