2011 Annual Report

Dear Friends,

Like farmers, 2011 was a year in which we prepared the soil for the future of the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy. We planted a variety of seeds that will germinate over the next decade!

We completed a comprehensive Land Conservation Plan that identifies the areas in Jackson and Josephine counties that most deserve protection.  This Plan gives us a clear roadmap of where to concentrate our resources in the future. 

Leading our land protection efforts are Su Rolle, who works as our Conservation Manager, and Kristi Mergenthaler, who joined our staff team as our full-time Land Steward in 2011.

With your support, we protected 162 acres of high priority land adjacent to Howard Prairie Reservoir in December.

Other seeds planted last year include:

• Compiling our application to become one of 158 accredited land trusts in the US
• Joining the Oregon Coalition of Land Trusts as founding members
• Assisting 32 landowners identify ways to conserve their property
• Working with 15 landowners to pursue land protection options

Despite the difficult financial times, we increased the number of family memberships 8% over 2010, and we reached our budgeted membership goals. Individual gifts from you and community friends accounted for 88% of our operating budget last year!

None of this would be possible without you. Whether you’ve been in the region for many generations, or recently moved here to embrace the natural beauty and quality of life we all love, we’re glad you are a part of our conservation family. We’ll continue to work hard in the years to come on your behalf to protect this very special place.

For the Land,