3 Conservation Success Stories for Earth Day

Author: Tyler Vick Published: April 22, 2017

With so many different environmental issues in the news, Earth Day is an important reminder of the work we have yet to do.

But it’s also a day to celebrate how far we’ve come. Since the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, we have made great strides in conservation and sustainability, thanks to the hard work of non-profits, government, and businesses all over the world.

So, it’s in the spirit of celebration that we bring you three conservation success stories showcasing how we’ve worked with land trusts to conserve natural resources and working lands. Happy Earth Day!

1) Salmonid Habitat Conservation in Puget Sound

Capitol Land Trust had a very specific conservation planning goal in mind when they approached us to help them identify high-priority parcels for salmonid habitat conservation in Thurston County, Washington. To meet the requirements of their landowner outreach grant, they decided to incorporate GIS to objectively reduce the potential options to a manageable number, and then screen the results and incorporate their institutional knowledge to identify the best candidates for their outreach efforts. Read more.

2) Engaging the Community with Conservation Education Tools

The story map we developed in collaboration with Greenbelt Land Trust takes you along a trail at Bald Hill Farm, a unique community resource in Corvallis, Oregon where working lands are managed alongside wildlife and plant habitats, and recreational and educational opportunities abound. Read more.

3) Conservation Planning in Wallowa County

The Wallowa Land Trust (WLT) works with private landowners, tribes, local communities, and government entities to preserve and protect the rural nature of the lands they serve. In order to take their conservation efforts to the next level, WLT identified the need for a comprehensive conservation plan that would map out clear priorities and a well-defined mission offering a wider vision. Having a plan in place will allow WLT to focus their capacity on areas of highest importance and value. Read More.